Prostate cancer is cancer that starts in the prostate gland. The prostate is a small, walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man's reproductive system. It wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body.
Alternative Names
Cancer - prostate; Biopsy - prostate; Prostate biopsy; Gleason score
Prostate cancer is a serious disease that affects thousands of men during middle and late age, with most prostate cancers occurring in men over age 65.
The prostate is a small gland that is found in a man’s pelvic cavity. It is located under the bladder, and surrounds the urethra. This gland, which is regulated by the hormone testosterone, produces seminal fluid, also known as semen, which is the substance containing sperm that exits the urethra during ejaculation. When an abnormal, malignant growth of cells or tumor forms in the prostate, this is called prostate cancer. This cancer can spread to other areas of the body, but even if it does, it is still called prostate cancer.
Who Is at Risk?
Prostate cancer usually occurs in men over the age of 65. Other risk factors for developing prostate cancer include:
- age
- a family history of prostate cancer
- ethnicity or race (for instance, African American males are at a greater risk for developing prostate cancer)
- obesity
- genetic changes
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. Advanced prostate cancers can cause some symptoms, such as:
- Problems passing urine, including a slow or weak urinary stream or the need to urinate more often, especially at night.
- Blood in the urine (hematuria)
- Trouble getting an erection (impotence)
- Pain in the hips, back (spine), chest (ribs), or other areas from cancer spread to bones
- Weakness or numbness in the legs or feet, or even loss of bladder or bowel control from cancer pressing on the spinal cord.
Other diseases can also cause many of these same symptoms. For example, trouble passing urine is much more often caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) than cancer. Still, it is important to tell your doctor if you have any of these problems so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed.
Treating Prostate Cancer
If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, your treatment will depend on how severe your cancer is and whether it has spread. If the cancer is not aggressive, your physician may recommend watchful waiting, or active surveillance. Surgery, radiation, cryotherapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy are also treatment options. Your physician will find the correct treatment for your cancer based on your age, health status, and the stage of your cancer.
Prognosis
If prostate cancer is diagnosed early on and has not metastasized from the origin tumor, the survival rates are favorable. Early detection and treatment are key to a positive outcome. If you think you have symptoms of prostate cancer, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Prevention
Recently the guidelines for screening for prostate cancer have changed. Screening for prostate cancer is recommended every two years for men ages 55 to 69, with an emphasis on weighing the risks and benefits with your care provider. Those who are at high risk (family history, African American descent) should talk with their doctor about the risks and benefits of screening before 55. Studies have suggested an increased risk for prostate cancer in men who eat high amounts red meat and high-fat dairy, eating more fruits and vegetables and reducing the amount of red meat you consume can help.
