Prostate Cancer Screening & Treatment

Prostate cancer is known to be one of the most common cancers in men. Although different individuals may experience different symptoms, most do not have any symptoms at all (especially in the early stages). But there can still be a number of warning signs that one must be aware of, such as:

• Elevated serum PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels
• Haematuria (blood in urine)
• Urinary symptoms (e.g., frequent urination, poor or weak urine flow, sensation of incomplete emptying of the bladder, urinary hesitancy, etc.)
• Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite (often noticed in advanced stages of prostate cancer)
• Bone pain (usually occurs when the cancer has spread to the bones)

In addition to these symptoms, some patients may also experience symptoms such as pain and numbness in their legs and other parts of the body, a new onset of erectile dysfunction, and blood in the semen. Therefore, if you experience  any of these warning signs, it is important to consult an experienced prostate specialist in Singapore to assess you thoroughly so that treatment can be started right away.

Prostate cancer in Singapore is one of the most successfully treated cancers, especially in its early stages. If this cancer is diagnosed and managed early, the prognosis tends to be more favourable. Most prostate specialists in Singapore may use a series of investigations to help them confirm the diagnosis. These tests typically include the prostate-specific antigen blood test (PSA), digital rectal examination (DRE), ultrasound scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Active surveillance plays an integral role in prostate cancer treatment in Singapore (low-risk cancers). For more aggressive prostate cancers, the management plan will depend on the grade, stage, and risk classification of the cancer. Treatment usually involves surgery and radiation therapy, which is  beneficial in treating localised cancers. The main treatment for prostate cancer is radical prostatectomy and it involves removing the entire prostate gland, including the seminal vesicles. If needed, the lymph nodes may also have to be removed.

This procedure may also be carried out laparoscopically or by robot-assisted surgery. However, it must be noted that not all surgeons can perform robotic surgery; only a Urologist who has been trained with the necessary skills can carry out this procedure.

Unfortunately, yes. If the cancer is detected late or left untreated, it has the potential to become life-threatening. However, this is not the case for most prostate cancers, as they usually grow slowly and stay confined to the prostate gland. These patients usually have a very good chance of survival if treatment is commenced promptly. However, those with more aggressive types of prostate cancer may find that the cancer spreads quickly, making management challenging especially in the advanced stages. These cancers will require prompt radical treatment in the form of surgery and/or radiotherapy for the optimal outcomes. Therefore, it is vital to consult a urologist with the experience of treating such advanced cancers.

Prostate cancer in Singapore is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in males and is typically seen in those over the age of 50. It also has a significant mortality rate, especially for untreated cases in their advanced stages, emphasising the need for early detection and treatment. When it comes to the life expectancy of a person with prostate cancer, those with low Gleason grades are expected to have a 5-year survival rate of over 95%. Conversely, patients whose cancer has spread (metastasised) may have lower survival rates.

The Gleason score is a measure of how aggressive the cancer cells are, and they are graded on a scale of 1 to 5. However, each area of the prostate cancer assessment may have different scores, so the pathologist will examine the cancer cells to determine the most common grades and these will be added to achieve the final score. For instance, if an individual’s largest area with cancer is Grade 3 and another large area indicates Grade 4, the Gleason score for this sample would be 3+4=7. The higher the score, the more aggressive the cancer is. A score of 6 would denote a non-aggressive type of cancer, while a score of 8 and above will indicate that the person may have a highly aggressive form of prostate cancer.

As mentioned previously, the survival rates for localised prostate cancers in the early stages are considerably high. According to data obtained from the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the estimated survival rate for 10 to 15 years after treatment ranges between 95% to 98% (for localised cancers). Although the survival rates for those with distant metastasis (spread to other organs) aren’t usually favourable, aggressive treatment may help them survive their condition for more than five years. 

Need more information? Reach out to our team at Assure Urology & Robotic Centre today and book an appointment with one of the finest and most reputed prostate specialists in Singapore.