Unveiling Prostate Cancer Part 1: Incidence, Symptoms, and Grading
Prostate cancer, the sixth leading cause of global cancer mortality, claimed 307,500 lives in 2012. Surprisingly, African men bear the highest incidence rates worldwide, with African American men facing twice the mortality risk of their Caucasian counterparts. WHO warns of metastasis, particularly to bones and lymph nodes.
In advanced stages, prostate cancer manifests in urinary difficulties, hematuria, and localized pain. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), marked by stromal and epithelial proliferation, exacerbates lower urinary tract obstruction. Notably, adenocarcinoma prevails in glandular prostate cells, disrupting normal tissue function.
Gleason scoring, ranging from two to ten, categorizes cancer tissue based on microscopic examination. Lower scores denote similarities to healthy cells, while higher scores signal aggressive, divergent growth. With a prognosis of one to three years for advanced cases, 2011 saw 240,890 diagnoses and 33,720 fatalities. Prostate-specific membrane antigen, a key evaluation marker, shows promise in assessing cancer aggressiveness. Trichrome staining, a vital histological technique, unveils cellular nuances.
_________________________________________________
Prostate cancer, a significant global health concern, ranks as the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Its incidence is notably high among African men, with African American men facing a particularly elevated risk. The disease's progression often leads to urinary complications, pain, and hematuria. Understanding its various classifications, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, and utilizing tools like Gleason scoring and specific membrane antigen assessment, aids in diagnosis and prognosis. Additionally, histological techniques like trichrome staining play a crucial role in unveiling cellular details, contributing to more accurate diagnoses and treatment strategies.
__________
References:
1. World Health Organization. The Global Burden of Disease: 2004 Update.
2. Yeboah BA, Yirenya TD, BaafiDM,Ackumey M. Perceptions and knowledge about prostate cancer and attitudes towards prostate cancer screening among male teachers in the Sunyani Municipality, Ghana.
3. RebbeckTR, Devesa SS, Chang BL, Bunker CH, Cheng I, Cooney K, et al. Global patterns of prostate cancer incidence, aggressiveness, and mortality in men of African descent
4. Mofolo N, Betshu O, Kenna O, Koroma S, Lebeko T,Claassen MN. Knowledge of prostate cancer among males attending a urology clinic, a South African study Springer Plus.
5. Jemal A, Murray T, Ward E, Samuels A, Tiwari RC, Ghafoor A, et al. Cancer statistics. A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
2. Yeboah BA, Yirenya TD, BaafiDM,Ackumey M. Perceptions and knowledge about prostate cancer and attitudes towards prostate cancer screening among male teachers in the Sunyani Municipality, Ghana.
3. RebbeckTR, Devesa SS, Chang BL, Bunker CH, Cheng I, Cooney K, et al. Global patterns of prostate cancer incidence, aggressiveness, and mortality in men of African descent
4. Mofolo N, Betshu O, Kenna O, Koroma S, Lebeko T,Claassen MN. Knowledge of prostate cancer among males attending a urology clinic, a South African study Springer Plus.
5. Jemal A, Murray T, Ward E, Samuels A, Tiwari RC, Ghafoor A, et al. Cancer statistics. A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
