Disability and prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a malignant neoplasm that affects the epithelium of the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is more common in older men and accounts for 30% of all detected tumors in males. The disease is difficult to detect in the early stages of the course of the disease, as their course is asymptomatic.

Stages of the disease

• I - a neoplasm of less than 50% of the prostate gland and has not grown into its capsule, regional (closely spaced) metastases are not present;
• IIA - a tumor of 50 percent or more (but less than a hundred), regional metastases are absent, the gland is not deformed;
• IIB - tumor of 50 percent or more, with single metastases in nearby lymph nodes;
• IIA - a neoplasm of the same size as the prostate gland, there is a change in the contours of the capsule, or a neoplasm of various sizes that grows into the capsule, no metastasis;
• IIIB - the tumor is similar in size to the second A-stage, but with a large number of regional metastasis;
• IVA - prostate tumor affects adjacent tissues and / or organs, there is no regional metastasis;
• IVB - the tumor is spread in the same way as in the fourth A-stage with a different number of regional metastases, or the neoplasm affects only the gland itself, while there are distant metastases that can only be determined clinically.

Treatment methods for patients with prostate cancer

Treatment can only be prescribed by a specialist - a doctor oncologist-urologist.

The method of treatment depends on several factors:

• stage of the disease;
• patient's age;
• comorbidities;
• hormonal background;
• histological examination.

At the first and second A-stages of the disease, provided that the patient is less than 65 years old, an operation (prostatectomy) is performed to remove the prostate gland with a capsule, surrounding affected tissues and organs, as well as pelvic lymph nodes. In this case, a complete cure is possible. The difficulty of performing prostatectomy is associated with the difficulty of detecting oncology in the early stages of the course of the disease, with concomitant diseases of elderly patients.

Prostatectomy should not be confused with adenomectomy, the main contraindication of which is prostate cancer.

After removal of the gland and in the initial period of the course of the disease, virotherapy is carried out - the use of specially created viruses that promote the decomposition of malignant cells and increase immunity.

At other stages, in cases of the formation of an inoperable tumor, perform:

• chemotherapy - the use of toxins that have a detrimental effect on tumor cells;
• toxins are administered in two ways - orally, intravenously (serious side effects are possible);
• radiation therapy - X-rays and neural, beta and gamma radiation;
• is indicated for significant enlargement of the prostate;
• it is possible to carry out the first and second stage in elderly patients;
• brachytherapy - toxins are injected directly into the prostate gland using general anesthesia;
• performed with significant enlargement of the gland.

At all stages of treatment, drug therapy can be used, the essence of which is the use of hormonal drugs that suppress the growth of testosterone in the body. But this method of treatment has many side effects: from swelling of the mammary glands to destruction of the liver.

If full recovery of cancer patients is impossible, palliative methods of treatment are used to maintain their physical and psychological condition: resection of the prostate gland and epicystomy.

Consequences and problems of prostatectomy

Urethral dysfunction can lead to chronic or acute urinary retention and chronic cystitis with moderate to severe urinary incontinence.

The length of the recovery period after radical prostatectomy will depend on the age of the patient and the characteristics of his body. Basically, with a successful course, the recovery period lasts from 4 to 6 weeks. In case of possible complications associated with partial urinary incontinence, the duration of the period will be from 2 to 3 months. Very often the recovery period is accompanied by painful sensations, which are relieved by appropriate pain medications, which are prescribed by the attending physician.

With favorable prognosis of recovery, the patient will be able to start performing work duties. This is facilitated by the satisfactory condition of the man, the normalization of the function of urination, the establishment of normal hematological and biochemical parameters.

A man who has undergone a prostatectomy is prohibited from work:

• using hard labor
• in conditions of unfavorable microclimate and harmful physical factors (electric current and ionizing radiation)
• with the constant use of nephrotoxic poisons.

Prescribing Disability in Prostate Cancer

The Medical and Social Expertise (ITU) assigns a disability group in the following cases:

• performing a prostatectomy;
• due to ineffective hormonal treatment of cancer;
• prostate removal;
• the fourth stage of oncology - patients in need of constant care;
• the need for re-examination of the disability group.

Patients who have undergone prostate cancer and undergo ITU for disability registration must have a form 88y, which must be marked:

• Ultrasound of the bladder and prostate gland (if not removed);
• digital rectal examination results;
• histology or cytology;
• images of the pelvic bones, lumbar and spine;
• cystoscopy and sigmoidoscopy, in cases of tumor invasion into adjacent organs.

Classification of disability groups

• the third group is assigned at the end of the recovery period of prostatectomy, with moderate limitation of the patient's life and the need for his employment with a decrease in the amount of work performed;
• the second group is established with limited life activity, in cases of ineffective drug and radiation treatment, with a wide spread of the disease, as well as with true urinary incontinence;
• the first group - patients who need constant care from others (patients with stage IV prostate cancer).

We hope we have answered your questions in full. Stay healthy and do not get sick.