Prostate Cancer

Question 1

What are the functions of the prostate

Answer 1

• produces a fluid which keeps the semen healthy
• converts testosterone to dihydrotestoterone (active form)

Question 2

This type is cancer is highly hormone dependent, in which hormone?

Answer 2

Androgen receptors

Question 3

Causes

Answer 3

• increase in age
• African or Asian
• high BMI
• smoking
• genes
• family hx

Question 4

Sighs and symptoms

Answer 4

• bone pain
• back pain
• erectile dysfunction
• blood in urine
• urinary frequency
• trouble with stopping and starting
• poor urine flow
• weight loss - very rare

Question 5

Tests and investigations

Answer 5

• x ray of chest and pelvis
• psa (prostate specific antigen)
• FBC
• TRUS (transrectal ultrasound) + needle biopsy

Question 6

Early stages of the cancer (localised) do not require pharmacological approaches, what therapies or management is used

Answer 6

Surveillance

Radical therapy
• prostocectomy
• extended beam therapy
• branchytherapy

Question 7

Locally advanced or metastatic treatment

Answer 7

Gonadatroptin releaseing hormone agonist

Moa - binds to the GnRH, with printed release of FSH and LH, creating a surge, which increases sex hormones. Then after continuous administration the FSH and LH levels fall

Question 8

An example of this drug and it’s monitoring requirements

Answer 8

Leuprorelin acetate IV

Monitoring - LFT and prostate specific antigen serum levels

Question 9

ADRS of this drug

Answer 9

Bone pain
Decrease appetite
Breast abnormalities

Question 10

Most cancers of the prostate are?

Answer 10

Adenocarcinomas