"In the early stages of the disease, there are sometimes no symptoms.
These sometimes appear only in an advanced stage of the disease"/ShutterStock
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among men in the Western world.
In Israel, about 2,500 men are diagnosed each year.
1 in 9 to 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with a prostate tumor during their lifetime.
The average age for diagnosis is 60-70, says Dr. Daniel Keizman, director of the Urinary Tract Tumors Unit in the oncology department of the Tel Aviv Sourasky (Ichilov) Medical Center.
What are the risk factors?
"The main risk factors are the age of the man (most cases are diagnosed among men aged 60 and over and the incidence increases with age), and the diagnosis of the tumor in first-degree relatives (father, brother). There are also situations of genetic carriers that increase the risk of this tumor, such as mutation carriers in the BRCA gene. Other possible risk factors are being overweight, lack of physical activity, and the components of the diet (consuming a diet rich in fatty foods).
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
"In the early stages of the disease, there are sometimes no symptoms.
These sometimes appear only in an advanced stage of the disease.
About
20% are diagnosed with metastases at some stage of their disease (from the beginning or after treatment of a non-metastatic tumor) and then there may be symptoms such as bone pain, weight loss,
etc. of the PSA marker (a protein secreted by the prostate gland).
It is important to note that not every PSA increase is due to a prostate tumor.
Other causes are benign enlargement of the prostate, and inflammation of the prostate.
If prostate cancer is suspected, the next step is sometimes to perform a prostate MRI, and then to perform a biopsy of the prostate, sometimes using the information produced by a prostate MRI (fusion biopsy)."
What about early detection of prostate cancer?
There are medical associations that recommend considering detection Early by a PSA blood test for men between the ages of 50 and 70, or earlier if there is an increased risk (family history or carrying a BRCA gene mutation).
What is the treatment for early-stage prostate cancer?
It depends on the characteristics of the tumor, age, medical background, options The approach in the early stage includes active surveillance (periodic monitoring of PSA, and returning after about a year for prostate MRI and biopsy, so that the patient is not first exposed to the risk of side effects from treatment) or treatment (surgery or radiation with or without hormone therapy to reduce the testosterone level).
"Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among men and its incidence increases with age"/ShutterStock
What are the chances of recovery?
"Many patients recover after treatment of the primary tumor. However, even those who did not recover sometimes survive for many years. Most patients do not die from their disease.
What are the common types of treatments for metastatic prostate cancer?
" of life expectancy.
The initial treatment is hormonal, even if additional treatments are added at different stages of the disease.
These treatments include advanced hormonal treatments, radioligands, targeted treatments, chemotherapy.
The breakthroughs in research will lead to further improvement."
Did the months of the "Iron Swords" war affect the treatment sequence among prostate cancer patients?
"To a certain extent, especially in the evacuation areas in the north and south, there is distress among patients who may not receive regular treatment and be harmed by it.
It is important to be in contact with the attending physician to find the best medical solution.
Dr. Tamar Fishman, clinical pharmacist and board member of the Israel Pharmacy Association
, adds:
"Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among men and its incidence increases with age.
Unlike other types, prostate cancer often develops slowly and many years can pass before it is diagnosed, and sometimes, the discovery of the cancer is only after symptoms appear following the spread of metastases to other organs in the body.
There are several options for treating prostate cancer and they include surgery, radiation, hormonal treatments, chemotherapy and biological treatments.
Not all prostate cancer requires immediate treatment and sometimes only follow-up is required.
It is important to note that the choice of treatment is made according to the stage of the disease and the health status of the patient, and accordingly the goals of the treatment are determined which can include preventing the spread and progression of the cancer and maintaining the patient's quality of life while reducing side effects from the treatment.
The drug treatment for prostate cancer can be pills or injections.
Some treatments have to be given in hospitals as part of hospitalization.
It is very important, especially during this period, to adhere to a therapeutic sequence.
In cases of uncertainty regarding the treatment in general and the drug treatments in particular, it is recommended to consult the attending physician and the pharmacy teams."
*Choosing the possible treatment is up to the therapist who writes the prescription in consultation with the patient.
**The information is correct as of January 2024. For more information, please contact the attending physician.
***Provided as a service to the public by Estellas Pharma International B.V. and the Pharmacy Organization in Israel (without involvement in the contents).
In collaboration with the pharmacy organization in Israel
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