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Zhou Zi Hua
Oncology
About me
Loudi Central Hospital, Deputy Chief Physician of Oncology Department.
Proficient in diseases
Specializing in tumor radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and comprehensive treatment.
Voices
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
Early-stage prostate cancer generally has no symptoms, but if the patient also has prostate enlargement, or in cases of mid to late-stage prostate cancer where the tumor invades the urethra or bladder, various degrees of urinary obstruction or irritative urinary symptoms may occur. This is characterized by frequent urination and urgency. If there are local infiltrative symptoms, perineal pain and sciatica might occur. If the vas deferens is compressed, it can cause back pain and pain in the testicles on the affected side. Invasion of the rectum can cause difficulty in defecation or obstruction of the colon, and if the membranous part of the urethra is involved, urinary incontinence may occur. The most common site of metastasis for prostate cancer is the bones. If it spreads to the bones, it can cause bone pain, pathological fractures, anemia, and spinal cord compression leading to paralysis of the lower limbs.
Pathological classification of prostate cancer
The classification of precancerous lesions of prostate cancer is divided into two categories: intraductal carcinoma of the prostate and atypical adenomatous hyperplasia. Among these, the relationship between intraductal carcinoma of the prostate and prostate cancer is the closest. Intraductal carcinoma of the prostate is currently recognized as a precancerous lesion of prostate cancer, while atypical adenomatous hyperplasia has not been proven to be a precancerous lesion of prostate cancer according to current evidence. However, the biological behavior of this atypical adenomatous hyperplasia is not very clear yet, so it should be closely monitored. The histological classification of prostate cancer mainly includes the majority of acinar adenocarcinoma and a small amount of ductal adenocarcinoma, with acinar adenocarcinoma being a highly invasive malignant tumor.
Prostate cancer radiotherapy is conducted in what way?
Indications for radiation therapy for prostate cancer include clinical stages T1 to T4, M0 to M1. M0-stage prostate cancer patients undergo radiation therapy techniques including external beam radiation and brachytherapy. External beam radiation techniques comprise conventional radiation therapy, three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy, and intensity-modulated radiation therapy. Permanent seed implantation is used only for the treatment of early-stage localized prostate cancer with a good prognosis. External radiation therapy is divided into three categories based on therapeutic objectives: curative, adjuvant, and palliative radiation therapy.
How long can one live after prostate cancer has spread to the bones?
Bone metastasis is the most common site of metastasis for prostate cancer. If a patient with prostate cancer develops bone metastasis, it means that the cancer is no longer in its early stages and has progressed to a more advanced stage. However, unlike other cancers with a higher degree of malignancy, if the tumor is highly sensitive to hormone therapy, with standardized treatment, the patient's survival time can be significantly extended.
Endocrine therapy after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer
Endocrine therapy after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer is equivalent to adjuvant endocrine therapy for prostate cancer. Its purpose is to treat residual lesions, positive residual lymph nodes, and microscopic metastatic foci, thereby improving long-term survival rates. Currently, the indications for adjuvant endocrine therapy are based on postoperative pathology-positive results, positive lymph nodes post-surgery, and postoperative pathology confirmation of stage T3 or T4, but with high-risk factors. According to major guidelines, the duration of adjuvant endocrine therapy should be at least eighteen months.
The difference between benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer.
Prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer are sometimes very difficult to distinguish clinically, as both diseases occur in elderly men, can cause lower urinary tract symptoms, and lead to elevated PSA levels. However, prostatic hyperplasia generally has a longer medical history, whereas prostate cancer has a shorter history and progresses more quickly. During a digital rectal exam for prostatic hyperplasia, the gland appears enlarged and the surface is smooth. In contrast, during a prostate exam, the gland may show irregular enlargement, a rough surface, and the tumor feels firm. When these two are difficult to distinguish, considering a prostate biopsy may be advisable.
Typical symptoms of lymphoma
Typical symptoms of lymphoma include night sweats, fever, and weight loss. This fever often occurs in the afternoon, characterized as a cyclical fever that lasts for several days with irregular patterns. There are fever-free intervals ranging from a few days to several weeks, almost a nonspecific symptom but not commonly seen. Fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss of more than 10% within six months, or even emaciation, are considered B symptoms and are associated with a poor prognosis. In addition, skin itching is also not uncommon in late-stage patients.
What are the symptoms of late-stage bladder cancer?
The symptoms of late-stage bladder cancer include: 1. Difficulty urinating. Due to the large size of the tumor, its location at the neck of the bladder, or the formation of blood clots, there can be blockage of urine flow, difficulty urinating, and even urinary retention. 2. Bladder irritation symptoms. Early-stage bladder often shows fewer urinary irritation symptoms, but when the tumor occurs in the trigone area of the bladder, urinary irritation symptoms may appear earlier. There are also symptoms of upper urinary tract obstruction, such as when the cancer invades the ureteral orifice, causing dilation and accumulation of fluid in the renal pelvis and ureter, and even infections leading to backache, waist pain, fever, etc. Additionally, there are general symptoms, including nausea, reduced appetite, fever, weight loss, anemia, cachexia, and more.
What are the early signs of esophageal cancer?
The early symptoms of esophageal cancer are often nonspecific and intermittent, thus many patients do not take them seriously and delay the condition. Clinically, common early symptoms of esophageal cancer include a choking sensation when swallowing food, which is more noticeable in patients who swallow dry food or other foods that are not well chewed in large bites. Additionally, there is discomfort or a feeling of fullness behind the sternum. Thirdly, there is a sensation of a foreign body in the esophagus, with about 20% of patients experiencing this sensation when swallowing, as well as dryness and a feeling of tightness in the throat. Furthermore, there is a slow passage and a sense of retention of food.
Early symptoms of gastric cancer
The symptoms of early gastric cancer are nonspecific and similar to those of chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers, gastroparesis, and other benign diseases, making it difficult to distinguish. Screening data shows that 40%-60% of patients with early gastric cancer are asymptomatic. The symptoms of early gastric cancer primarily include pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, loss of appetite, fatigue, vomiting, hematemesis, blood in stools, melena, and difficulty swallowing. Discomfort in the upper abdomen is the most common symptom, followed by pain beneath the sternum. Generally, early gastric cancer does not present specific physical signs, though tenderness in the upper abdomen is relatively common, and some patients may exhibit signs of anemia.