Prostate Cyst and Prostate Cancer: Prostate Cancer Surgery

I will explain about prostate cysts, prostate cancer, and prostate cancer surgery. Prostate cysts and prostate cancer are two common conditions that affect the male prostate. While both conditions can cause similar symptoms, they require different treatment approaches. In this post, I will explain the differences between the two conditions, their symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment methods.

Cyst Symptoms

Most prostate cysts are found without symptoms, but the following symptoms may occur.

Bladder pressure relief symptoms: If the prostate cyst enlarges, it can put pressure on the bladder, making it difficult to properly excrete urine. In this case, difficulty urinating, increased urinary frequency, and pain due to bladder pressure relief can occur.

Cystitis:If urine is not properly discharged, it stays in the bladder longer, which can cause cystitis. In this case, the urine may be dark or smelly, and discomfort or pain may occur while urinating.

Lower back pain: If the prostate cyst grows severely, it can impinge on the spinal nerves and cause lower back pain.
Genital sensory abnormalities: When the prostate is compressed, the sensation of the genitals may become dull.

Erectile dysfunction: When the prostate is compressed, erectile dysfunction or genital dysfunction may occur.

If these symptoms occur, you should visit a doctor for examination and diagnosis.

Causes of Cysts

The exact cause of prostate cysts is unknown, but it is generally believed to be related to genetic changes or hormonal level changes within the prostate glandular tissue. Prostate cysts are a disease in which small cysts form within the prostate glandular tissue, and these cysts can develop from the glandular part of the prostate.
 
Cysts are thought to be caused by abnormal proliferation of cells and tissues within the prostate glandular tissue. This abnormal proliferation may be related to changes in the levels of sex hormones such as testosterone and estrogen, or an imbalance between the two hormones.
 
Prostate cysts can also be associated with factors such as age, family history, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. However, research on the causes of prostate cysts is still ongoing, and further research is needed.

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the prostate gland. It is the second most common cancer in men worldwide and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in men. Prostate cancer usually progresses slowly and may not cause symptoms in the early stages.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

In the early stages, prostate cancer may not cause any symptoms, and as the cancer grows, it can cause a variety of symptoms.

Difficulty urinating or weak urine stream.
Frequent urination, especially at night.
Blood in the urine or semen.
Pain or discomfort in the pelvic area.
Pain during ejaculation.

Causes of Prostate Cancer

The exact cause of prostate cancer is unknown. However, several factors can increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Age: Prostate cancer is more common in men over 50.
Family history: Men with a family history of prostate cancer have a higher risk of developing the disease.
Race: Prostate cancer is more common in African American men.
Diet: A diet high in red meat and fat may increase the risk of prostate cancer.

Treatment Methods

Prostate cancer treatment options depend on several factors, including the stage of the cancer, the patient's age and overall health, and personal preferences. Prostate cancer surgery is a surgical procedure to remove the prostate gland containing the tumor. There are several surgical methods.

1. Radical Prostatectomy

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, and a specialized surgeon performs the procedure. There are various surgical methods, and it is usually performed through the abdomen, groin, or lower spine. The recovery period after surgery is typically 2-4 weeks, and the patient needs to protect the surgical site and rest.

2. (Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy)

Laparoscopic surgery is one of the elective surgeries to treat prostate cancer. Compared to conventional open surgery, laparoscopic surgery has the advantage of a shorter recovery period and fewer complications after surgery. When choosing surgery to treat prostate cancer, the doctor can choose one of the methods of removing the prostate and examining the lymph nodes around the prostate.
 
Among the methods of removing the prostate, there are open surgery and laparoscopic surgery. Open surgery is a traditional surgical method that involves making a large incision in the abdomen to perform the surgery. On the other hand, laparoscopic surgery is a method that uses a small camera and small surgical instruments to enter the abdominal cavity and remove the prostate.
 
If you choose laparoscopic surgery, you can generally expect less pain and faster recovery after surgery. Hospitalization is typically required for 1-2 days after surgery. And for a few weeks after surgery, you may need to restrict physical activity. These restrictions may vary depending on each patient's condition and surgical method.

3. Electrosurgery

Electrosurgery for prostate cancer is a form of prostate cancer treatment that uses electromagnetic waves to remove cancerous tissue in the prostate. This surgery is typically performed in the form of robot-assisted surgery.
 
Electrosurgery is a technique that uses electromagnetic waves to cut or coat tissue. Electromagnetic waves are a type of electrical signal that generates electromagnetic waves to cut and remove prostate cancer tissue. This technique is performed using a tiny electrode, and it can only remove the part with cancerous tissue, so it is possible to accurately remove it without damaging surrounding tissues.
 
Robot-assisted surgery is a technique that uses robots to perform surgery. Robots enable fine movements and precisely follow the movements of the surgeon performing the surgery. This allows surgeons to perform surgery at the correct location and shortens the recovery time after surgery.

4. Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy for prostate cancer is a non-invasive surgical method used to treat prostate cancer. This method involves inserting optical fibers around the prostate and cooling the tumor with cooling gas to destroy cancer cells. This method has a smaller surgical area, so it has a lower risk of complications and a shorter recovery period than invasive surgery.
 
This method is generally applied to elderly patients or patients with advanced diseases after prostate cancer is diagnosed through continuous PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) testing, biopsies, and prostate ultrasound. After surgery, antibiotics and analgesics are prescribed, and patients can return to their daily lives 1-2 weeks after surgery.

5. High-intensity focused ultrasound

High-intensity focused ultrasound for prostate cancer is one of the non-invasive surgical methods that uses ultrasound to destroy prostate cancer tissue. This method can clearly destroy prostate cancer tissue without damaging the surrounding healthy tissue.
 
This treatment method works by focusing high-intensity ultrasound generated from an ultrasound generator located around the prostate onto the prostate cancer tissue. During this process, the ultrasound energy is converted into heat inside the tissue, destroying the prostate cancer tissue. This treatment is performed by specialized medical personnel and requires specialized equipment and monitoring devices.

In Conclusion

Prostate cysts and prostate cancer are two distinct conditions that can affect the male prostate. While both conditions can cause similar symptoms, they require different treatment approaches.
 
If you experience symptoms related to the prostate, it's important to consult with a doctor to determine the cause and appropriate treatment options. Also, I can say that regular checkups and early detection are most important to manage both prostate cysts and prostate cancer.