What is prostate cancer?

As previously noted (What/Where is the prostate?), the prostate is a part of the reproductive system, a walnut size gland located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum (because it’s so close to the rectum, Digital Rectal Exam [DRE] plays an important role in Prostate Cancer diagnosis). Prostate Cancer remains the leading cancer diagnosis in males.

Cancer is the malignant abnormal growth of cells that can occur anywhere in the body, including the prostate. In its early stage, symptoms are minimal and the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) tends to be elevated. As males age (gets older), they are usually diagnosed with BPH as the prostate tends to enlarge causing urinary symptoms and mild elevation of PSA as well (BPH=Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia; this process is not cancerous).

The difference between BPH and Cancer in an elevated PSA scenario can be clarified by your Doctor. Through regular visits with your Primary Care Physicians, the PSA trend will be monitored and coupled with the DRE, they will discuss with you the appropriate time to intervene with prostate biopsy. Learn more "visually" about the prostate, prostate cancer and treatment options by joining the Prostate Cancer Section and watch animations/videos at www.LegacyEducators.com.

Prostate cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the tissues of the prostate gland. The prostate gland is a walnut-shaped organ located below a man's bladder that produces fluid for semen.

Experts do not know the exact cause of prostate cancer. But they believe that factors such as age and family history may increase a man's risk for developing the disease. Prostate cancer is more common in men who are 65 and older and is the second most common cause of cancer deaths among men.

Prostate cancer usually does not cause symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms are present, they may include urinary problems such as incontinence or the inability to urinate.

Prostate cancer is often curable if it is discovered early. Treatment options include active surveillance, surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy.

Prostate cancer is the uncontrollable growth of cells in the prostate gland.

The prostate is part of a man's reproductive system, and is located in front of the rectum and under the bladder. It surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine flows. A healthy prostate is about the size of a walnut. The prostate makes part of the seminal fluid. During ejaculation, seminal fluid helps carry sperm out of the man's body as part of semen. Male hormones (androgens) make the prostate grow. The testicles are the main source of male hormones, including testosterone. The adrenal gland, located above the kidneys, also makes testosterone, but in small amounts. If the prostate grows too large, it squeezes the urethra. This may slow or stop the flow of urine from the bladder to the penis.

Prostate tumors are masses of prostate cells. Prostate tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumors in the prostate are rarely life-threatening. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the abnormal growth of benign prostate cells. The prostate grows larger and squeezes the urethra, preventing the normal flow of urine. BPH is a very common problem worldwide. Malignant or cancerous tumors of the prostate are generally more serious than benign tumors and may be life threatening. Malignant tumors can spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes, liver, bones, colon, and other organs.

When caught and treated early, prostate cancer has a cure rate of over 90%. It is extremely important to be diagnosed early, and healthcare professionals recommend men 50 years of age and older get screened for prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in America, affecting one in six men. More than 218,000 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007.

Although only one in 10,000 men under the age of 40 will be diagnosed, the rate increases up to one in 39 for men between the ages of 40 to 59, and one in 14 for ages 60 to 69. More than 65% of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65.

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Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the cells of the prostate gland. For unknown reasons, one or more cells become abnormal. Eventually these cells may spread and invade normal tissues. They can grow through the capsule of the prostate gland and invade tissues outside the gland and then spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system. This system circulates throughout the body in much the same way that blood circulates. Lymph is a clear fluid that contains tissue waste products and immune system cells. Most of the lymph vessels of the prostate lead to pelvic lymph nodes. These nodes are often the first sites of spreading prostate cancer that is no longer curable. From there they can multiply and spread to other organs of the body.

Most prostate cancers grow very slowly. Autopsy studies show that many elderly men who died of other causes also had cancerous cells in their prostates that were never suspected. Doubling times of most prostate cancers average about 4 years. But some prostate cancers can grow and spread quickly.

Doctors speak of four stages of the disease. The first is the earliest stage when it cannot yet be felt by a digital rectal exam (DRE). The second is when it can be felt on a DRE but is still thought to be confined to the prostate. The third stage is when it has spread into adjacent tissues but has not yet reached the lymph nodes. The final stage is when the cancer has gotten into the lymph nodes or beyond.

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