Urology Cancers: All about bladder, kidney, prostate, and Cancers

The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the level of PSA in a man's blood and is primarily used to screen for prostate cancer. PSA is a protein produced by both normal and cancerous cells in the prostate gland. The test is a straightforward blood test that quantifies the concentration of PSA in the blood, with results reported in nanograms of PSA per milliliter (ng/mL). To perform the PSA test, a healthcare provider will draw blood from a vein, typically in the arm. The sample is then analyzed in a laboratory. The PSA test is conducted when there is a suspicion of issues with the prostate, such as prostate cancer , benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or prostatitis . Traditionally, a PSA level of 4 ng/mL has been considered the threshold between normal and elevated levels. Here is a general guideline: Below 4 ng/mL: PSA levels are usually considered normal. 4 to 10 ng/mL: PSA levels are regarded as slightly elevated. Approximately 25% of men in this range have prostate c...

Most cases of prostate cancer are not hereditary, meaning they develop sporadically due to genetic changes that occur by chance after birth, rather than being directly inherited. However, about 5-10% of prostate cancer cases are believed to be hereditary, partly resulting from genetic mutations inherited from a parent. In simple terms, 'hereditary' refers to the transmission of traits from parents to offspring through genes. Hereditary disease involves specific genetic changes that increase the risk of a disease being passed down through generations. Men with a father or brother who has had prostate cancer are more than twice as likely to develop the disease compared to those without a family history. The risk further escalates if several relatives have had prostate cancer, particularly if they were diagnosed at a young age. Research has identified several genes that, when mutated, can heighten the risk of prostate cancer. These include: BRCA1 and BRCA2 : While primarily associ...

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among men. It develops when cells in the prostate gland—a small, walnut-shaped gland responsible for producing seminal fluid in men—begin to grow uncontrollably. Located beneath the bladder and encircling the urethra, the prostate gland is about the size of a walnut and generally grows larger as men age. Prostate cancer originates from uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate gland . These cancerous cells can remain within the prostate, known as localized prostate cancer, or they can spread to other parts of the body in a process called metastasis. The bones and lymph nodes are the most common sites for prostate cancer metastasis. Several risk factors increase the likelihood of developing prostate cancer. These include age (with the risk increasing after 50), race (with black men having a higher risk), family history, obesity, and diet. Genetic mutations, like those in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, also contribute to a heightene...