22 Urological Cancers 2 (Prostate)

Question 1

Give the 3 main risk factors for developing prostate cancer.

Answer 1

Question 2

PSA (prostate specific antigen) can be tested for in the blood. What is it and what does it do?

Answer 2

PSA= enzyme

Liquefies semen

Test for prostate cancer (raised if cancer present)

Question 3

When might a PSA test be appropriate to use?

Answer 3

If patient presents with symptoms

If patient has family member with history of (high risk) prostate cancer

Question 4

What are the issues associated with PSA screening?

Answer 4

PSA levels= relative

Other causes of raised PSA:

Infection, inflammation, large prostate, urinary retention

Cost-effectiveness

Over-diagnosis/over-treatment

Can have a normal PSA and abnormal feeling prostate on DRE (digital rectal examination)

Question 5

What symptoms might someone with prostate cancer present with?

Answer 5

• Asymptomatic
• Nocturia and other urinary symptoms
• Bone pain (commonest place for cancer to spread)
• Weight loss
• DRE (digital rectal examination) - hard, irregular prostate

Question 6

What investigations can be carried out into suspected prostate cancer?

Answer 6

Question 7

Give some factors that will influence the treatment for prostate cancer

Answer 7

Question 8

How is localised prostate cancer treated? (3)

Answer 8

Question 9

How is locally advanced radiotherapy treated?

Answer 9

Question 10

How is metastatic prostate cancer treated?

Answer 10