PROSTATE CANCER

INITIAL DIAGNOSIS

A diagnosis of cancer can produce anxiety and fear in anyone. If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with prostrate or renal cancer, knowledge can be a powerful ally in your fight. The more you learn about your cancer, the better prepared you will be to make important decisions about your treatment. This quick reference guide is designed to be a first stop on the road to self-education about prostate cancer.

The Facts
The prostate is a gland found only in men, which is located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Aside from skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men. On average, every man has a one in six (17%) chance of developing prostate cancer at some time in his life. According to the American Cancer Society, there will be an estimated 218,000 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in the United States in 2007.

Causes
While the exact causes of prostate cancer are not clear, a number of risk factors have been identified by the medical community. They include:

Age: your risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age, with most cases occurring in men over the age of 50;two out of three diagnoses occur in men over the age of 65.
Heredity: having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man’s risk of contracting the disease; however, genetic testing is not yet available.
Race: African American men face a higher incidence of prostate cancer than do men of other races.
Diet: men who eat a lot of red meat or high-fat dairy products appear to have a slightly higher risk of contracting prostate cancer.

Types of Prostate Cancer
The prostate contains several types of cells. The most common type of prostate cancer, an adenocarcinoma, develops within the glandular cells. The two other types of prostate cancer, leiomyosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma, are rare and develop in the tissues surrounding the gland.

Key Terminology (Initial Diagnosis):

Adenocarcinoma: Cancer in gland forming tissue, such as prostate tissue

Azoospermia: The absence of sperm in the ejaculate

Biopsy: Removing tissue that has been invaded by cancer

Cancer: Term for multiple diseases which are characterized by abnormal cell growth and which may destroy surrounding tissue. Cancer can metastasize, or spread to other parts of the body via the blood or lymph system.

Carcinoma: A cancerous growth that begins in the lining of an organ and tends to invade surrounding tissues and metastasize (spread) to other regions of the body

Chronic Prostatitis: A form of prostatitis that is usually caused by bacteria. The condition can cause recurrent bouts of bladder and urinary infection.

Dysuria: Painful urination

Flow Study: A test that measures the flow of urine

Malignant: Cancerous (cells)

Metastasis: The spread of cancer from the site of origin to other parts of the body, or a secondary cancer growth

Prognosis: The expected outcome of having cancer

Prostate: A firm, walnut-sized gland that surrounds part of the urethra, the tube that transports urine and sperm out of the body. The prostate secretes seminal fluid.

Prostatitis: An infection of the prostate

Staging: Tests used to figure out where the cancer is in the body, whether it has spread, and how it compares to other cancers. (e.g., Stage I is the most localized and least serious stage of cancer, while Stage IV is the most serious.)

Scrotum: The sac of skin that contains the testes

Voiding Dysfunction: Difficulty urinating

TREATMENT AND POST-TREATMENT SUPPORT

Typical Treatments and their Side Effects
Treatment options for prostate cancer vary and depend largely on whether the tumor has spread. For tumors that are still inside the prostate, radiation therapy and a surgery called radical prostatectomy are common options. Hormone therapy and chemotherapy are also commonly-chosen options. Another option often given to patients is called watchful waiting, whereby the tumor is continually observed in order to detect if it has gotten any larger.

Links to Support Resources

American Foundation for Urologic Disease (AFUD):
http://www.auafoundation.org/auafhome.asp

American Prostate Society:
http://www.ameripros.org

American Urological Association:
http://www.auanet.org

Cap Cure, The Association for the Cure of Cancer of the Prostate:
http://www.capcure.org

Cancer Consultants - Cancer Topics
http://www.texasoncology.com/cancer-blood-disorders.aspx

National Family Caregivers Association:
http://www.nfcacares.org

National Prostate Cancer Coalition:
http://www.4npcc.org

Prostate Cancer Education Council:
http://www.pcaw.com

Prostate Cancer Research and Education Foundation:
http://www.pcref.org

Prostate Cancer Research Institute:
http://www.prostate-cancer.org

The Prostate Forum:
http://www.prostateforum.com

Us Too Prostate Cancer Education and Support:
http://www.ustoo.org

Managing Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a commonly-prescribed systemic therapy for treating cancer. While chemotherapy is a powerful technique, it is usually accompanied by a number of side effects. Here is a list of common chemotherapy side effects and some strategies for managing them:

Weakened Immune System:

Avoid crowds, especially those with children.
Wash your hands as frequently as possible.
Prevent breaks in the skin.

Nausea and Vomiting:

Eat smaller meals more frequently.
Avoid sweets and fatty, fried foods.
Eat foods only when they are at room temperature.
Avoid strong odors.
Take anti-emetic drugs.

Diarrhea:

Drink plenty of fluids.
Avoid dairy products.
Try foods that are low in fiber such as bananas, rice, and mashed potatoes.

Constipation:

Drink plenty of fluids.
Eat high fiber foods.

Sore Mouth:

Drink plenty of fluids.
Suck on ice chips.
Chew sugarless gum or eat hard candy.
Moisten dry foods before chewing.

Fatigue:

Plan fewer activities.
Try to rest whenever you can.

Hair Loss:

Try cooling your scalp during chemotherapy, as this may reduce hair loss.
Ask your cancer nurse about wigs and hairpieces, if you are interested in wearing one.

Key Terminology (Treatment and Post-Treatment)

Adjuvant therapy: A type of therapy whereby drugs are used in conjunction with surgery and/or radiation to destroy microscopic disease and improve the overall chances of living without disease.

Alopecia: Hair loss (often accompanying chemotherapy)

Brachytherapy: A form of radiation therapy for prostate cancer. During the procedure, radioactive seeds (iodine-125) are implanted into the prostate gland under ultrasound guidance. This technique allows for delivery of a high dose of radiation to the prostate with limited damage to surrounding tissues.

Chemotherapy: The treatment of cancerous diseases with drugs that interfere with cancer cell growth and reproduction

Clinical Trials: Cancer research studies often include the testing of new drugs or treatments in order to compare them to current, standard treatments. Before a new treatment is used on people, it is studied in a laboratory environment. If lab studies suggest that a treatment works, it is tested with cancer patients. These human studies are called clinical trials.

Hormone Therapy: The use of hormones and hormone analogs to treat advanced prostate cancer (and other diseases).

Interstitial Laser Coagulation (ILC): A technique used to treat an enlarged prostate involving the use of lasers to deliver heat to the interior of the prostate.

Orchiectomy: Surgical removal of the testes

Quality of Life: How you live on a day-to-day basis (self-care, relationships, social activities, ability to work, emotional life, etc.)

Radiation Therapy: Treatment with high-energy X-ray radiation. Radiation kills cancerous cells (and also healthy cells).

Systemic Treatment: Treatment of the whole body (usually through some type of drug therapy)

RENAL CANCER

INITIAL DIAGNOSIS

Upon learning that they have been diagnosed with renal cancer, most people understandably feel a mix of emotions ranging from fear to a general sense of uncertainty about the challenges they may face ahead. One powerful strategy for managing this initial wave of anxiety is to become better informed about the disease. Arming yourself with knowledge about renal cancer, its effects, and its treatments is an advisable way to prepare for the challenges and choices the illness often brings. This quick reference guide is designed to be a first stop on the road to self-education about renal cancer.

The Facts
The kidney serves a number of important functions, including cleaning waste material from the blood, retaining or excreting salt and water, regulating blood pressure, and stimulating bone marrow to make red blood cells. Renal cancer is a disease involving the formation of cancer cells in the tubules of the kidney. According to the American Cancer Society, there will be an estimated 52,000 new cases of renal cancer diagnosed in the United States in 2007.

Causes
While the exact causes of renal cancer are not clear, a number of risk factors have been identified by the medical community. They include:

Smoking: smoking increases your chances of developing renal cancer by 40%.
Weight: obesity is a significant factor for up to 20% of people who get renal cancer.
Family History: having a family history of renal cancer can be a contributing factor.
Pain Medications: misuse of certain pain medications, including over-the-counter medications, can contribute to renal cancer.
Heredity: a number of inherited conditions may cause renal cancer such as von Hippel-Lindau disease, Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome, hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma, and others.
Race: African Americans have a slightly higher incidence of renal cancer than do whites.

Types of Renal Cancer
The most common type of renal, or kidney, cancer (representing about 85% of cases) is renal cell cancer (also called renal adenocarcinoma or hypernephroma). There are several sub-types of renal cell cancer, including clear cell, papillary (types 1 and 2), chromophobe, oncocytic, and collecting duct.

Another type of renal cancer is transitional cell cancer (TCC) of the renal pelvis. This type of cancer represents about 8% of all cancer cases. Finally, there is a type of renal cancer called Wilms’ tumor that can affect children.

Key Terminology (Initial Diagnosis):

Biopsy: Removing or sampling tissue that has been invaded by cancer

Dialysis: A mechanical process that partly performs the work that healthy kidneys normally do.

Malignant: Cancerous (cells)

Metastasis: The spread of cancer from the site of origin to other parts of the body, or a secondary cancer growth.

Prognosis: The expected outcome of having cancer

Renal Cell Carinoma: Also known as renal cell cancer. Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer, accounting for about 85% of all cases.

TREATMENT AND POST-TREATMENT SUPPORT

Typical Treatments and their Side Effects
Common treatments for renal cancer include surgery (radical nephrectomy, simple nephrectomy, or partial nephrectomy), radiation therapy, arterial embolization, and/or a clinical trial of a biologic or new therapy.

Links to Support Resources

American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org

Cancer Consultants - Cancer Topics
http://www.texasoncology.com/cancer-blood-disorders.aspx

Chemo Care
http://www.chemocare.com

Emerging Med
http://www.emergingmed.com

KCA National Library of Medicine Kidney Cancer Search Tool
http://www.kidneycancertrials.com

Kidney Cancer Association:
http://www.kidneycancer.org

National Cancer Institute
http://cis.nci.nih.gov/

National Kidney Foundation
http://www.kidney.org

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
http://www.canceradvocacy.org