Click here to view next page of this article Prostate CancerThe average age at diagnosis of prostate cancer is 73 years. The age-adjusted death rate from prostate cancer has not changed appreciably. Clinical Evaluation The prevalence of prostate cancer is 30% in men over the age of 50. One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lives. Some patients with prostate cancer may have obstructive urinary symptoms similar to benign prostatic hypertrophy; some patients may have weight loss and bone pain. Most patients have no symptoms, only an elevated prostate specific antigen found on routine screening. Physical Exam: Digital rectal exam is used to assess the nodule for extension beyond prostate edge, firmness, fixation, or induration. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) prostatic cancer PSA is a glycoprotein produced by both benign and malignant prostatic epithelium. Each gram of prostate tissue increases serum PSA by about 0.3 ng/mL, but each gram of prostate cancer increases PSA by about 3.5 ng/mL. PSA screening improves detection of prostate cancer at an earlier stage. However, an improvement in survival has not been demonstrated. |