Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. However, its incidence in Asia is low compared to Europe and North America. Although conventional medicine greatly improved early diagnosis and treatment options, advanced/metastatic prostate cancer remains a serious disease; in particular, bone metastasis often occurs in the vertebrae and pelvis causing bone pain. Spread of the cancer to the spine can compress the spinal cord, causing leg weakness and urinary and fecal incontinence. Invasion of the pelvic lymph nodes can cause swelling in the legs and discomfort in the pelvic area. Modern chemotherapy has had only a limited success in treating metastatic prostate cancer, and this is where TCM can provide a valuable alternative approach to reduce pain and improve quality of life of patients. Although no specific record of prostate cancer can be found in old TCM textbooks, TCM attribute prostate cancer to “stranguria (Lin Zheng),” and “difficult urination (Long Bi).”