Prostate Cancer
The four most common cancers are breast, lung, bowel and prostate cancers
Treatment at a glance
- Androgen deprivation: GnRH agonist (leuprorelin or goserelin) or orchidectomy
What our notes say
- The four most common cancers are breast, lung, bowel and prostate cancers (Oncopathology MCQs: Test Your Knowledge on Cancer Pathology)
- Diagnostic markers: Certain proteins are elevated in specific cancers, helping in early diagnosis.*Example: Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) in prostate cancer.* (CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY LAQs & SAQs)
- Clinical Use: ACP serves as a marker for prostate cancer and is also utilized in forensic medicine (e.g., in rape cases) to detect the presence of semen. (Clinical Enzymology and Biomarkers)
- | Post-renal | Urine cannot leave | Prostate enlargement, stones, schistosomiasis, cervical or prostate cancer, blocked catheter | (Acute kidney injury)
- Does not increase risk of prostate cancer (different zone, different pathogenesis) (Female & Male Genital Pathology: Ulcers, HPV, Endometriosis, Pre-eclampsia)
- Loss of distinct glandular architecture with cribriform/fused patterns reflects higher-grade, more aggressive prostate cancer (higher Gleason pattern). (Male Reproductive & Urinary Tract Pathology MCQs | MKU Year 3 Medicine)
Study material on Prostate Cancer
- CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY LAQs & SAQs
- Specific Proteins in Clinical Diagnosis
- Molecular Basis of Cancer: Cell Cycle, Apoptosis & Angiogenesis
Practice questions on Prostate Cancer
A 55-year-old man with metastatic prostate cancer develops oozing from IV sites, petechiae, and gum bleeding. PT prolonged, PTT prolonged, platelets 28,000, fibrinogen 80 mg/dL, D-dimer markedly elevated. Most likely diagnosis?
- Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation
- Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
- Immune thrombocytopenic purpura
Answer: B. Metastatic cancer + prolonged PT and PTT + low platelets + low fibrinogen + elevated D-dimer = DIC. Unlike TTP, DIC involves the entire coagulation system with consumption of all clotting factors and platelets simultaneously. ---
A 55-year-old man with prostate cancer has oozing, petechiae, high PT/PTT, low platelets/fibrinogen, and high D-dimer. Diagnosis?
- Hemophilia A
- Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
- Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
- Factor V Leiden
Answer: B. DIC involves widespread activation of coagulation leading to consumption of factors and platelets.