Incidence of prostate cancer in Spain
Written by:Prostate cancer is the most common among Spanish men; in 2014 32.641 cases were diagnosed.
It is the third leading cause of cancer death in men. In Spain every year about 5,400 men (8.6% of all male cancer deaths and 2.8% of all deaths among men) die about.
Early prostate biopsy
Early prostate biopsy guarantees more than 98% survival at 5 years. However, if diagnosed in advanced stages mortality increases progressively.
Therefore, we face a very common disease and cause many deaths, especially if not diagnosed early. This is critical to go once a year to the urologist and a PSA and a digital rectal exam performed.
Management of prostate cancer
Prostate cancer can be treated in many different ways, such as surgery (open, laparoscopic , or robot - assisted laparoscopic, Da Vinci). It can also be treated with external radiotherapy or interstitial radiation therapy (brachytherapy).
All these techniques are not without complications, the most frequent impotence and incontinence of urine, with rates that can reach up to 10% of patients.
There are also ablative techniques (to try to remove only the tumor), as cryosurgery or radiofrequency. These techniques are still quite experimental.
And finally also we could not try and make observation (in selected cases) or active surveillance, if we are to avoid the possible complications of the treatments, which are numerous.
What if we do not treat prostate cancer?
To decide not to treat prostate cancer seems to me essential to the advice of a urologist that has a very extensive experience (over 24 years).
Treatment of this disease should be like a suit made to measure. Not suitable the same treatment for all patients. Much depends on the age, physical activity, sexual function, the type of tumor, its stage, the degree of aggressiveness (Gleason score), etc..
Choosing well is critical, and the correct choice of treatment depends on the cure of the disease with fewer consequences.
