Introduction
Prostate cancer is the most common malignant cancer in men. It is generally a rather slow-growing or slowly progressing type of cancer compared to other types of cancer, so the prognosis is generally relatively good. The probability of developing prostate cancer increases with age. Often, no symptoms or discomfort are present at the onset of the disease, so screening is recommended after a certain age (since prostate cancer is a very common cancer). From the age of 45 onwards, preventive examinations should be taken once a year, so that early detection and thus early initiation of therapy can be carried out in the event of illness.
What positively influences life expectancy from prostate cancer?
The following factors are important for the prognosis of life expectancy: The TNM classification is a classification of cancers. These include tumor spread (T), lymph node involvement (N) and degree of metastasis (M). The spread of the tumor is indicated in T1-T4.
T1 is a slightly spread tumor that is not visible or palpable. T2 is also a slightly spread tumor that is restricted to the prostate gland. In T3, the prostate capsule is already affected by the tumor and in T4, the spread has already spread to surrounding tissue.
The classification of lymph node infestation indicates that there is either no infestation (N0), or that there is an infestation of lymph nodes (N1). The classification of metastasis is similar: M0 means that there are no metastases, while M1 represents the presence of metastases. Positive for life expectancy are the low values in this classification.
This means that T1 or T2 are more favorable than T3 or T4. Similarly, the absence of lymph node involvement (N0) as well as the absence of metastases (M0) has a positive effect on life expectancy. The Gleason Score can be established after a tissue biopsy or after surgery through the removed prostate.
The Gleason Score evaluates the change in prostate cells under the microscope. The Gleason Score is calculated by dividing the most frequent cell percentage by the most altered cell percentage. A low Gleason score is a favorable factor for prognosis.
Another point of importance for the prognosis is the condition of the surgical resection margins after surgery, these are called R0 – R2. This means that after an operation, the edges of the removed tumor are examined to determine whether really everything has been removed from the tumor (R0) or whether the tumor tissue still reaches the resection edges (R1). The latter would mean that tumor tissue probably still remains in the body.
Positive for the prognosis is a completely removed tumor (R0).
- Classification of the tumor according to the TNM classification,
- The Gleason Score and
- After the operation has already been performed, the condition of the resection margins.
There is evidence that lifestyle and especially dietary habits promote and influence the development and progression of prostate cancer. In America, for example, there are 10 times as many new cases of prostate cancer compared to Japan.
This is due to the Japanese diet, which is plant-rich and fish-based. Especially fried red meat and animal fats are suspected to promote cancer. A change in diet can therefore have a positive effect on life expectancy.
But it cannot replace medical treatment. Taking statins, which are actually prescribed when cholesterol levels are elevated, can improve the prognosis of prostate cancer. Cholesterol is needed for the formation of new cells and by lowering it, new tumor cells are inhibited in their formation. The treating physician decides whether or not it is advisable to take cholesterol-lowering drugs for prostate cancer. All these factors are considered together and, together with the age and general condition of the person affected, influence life expectancy.
