What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize (spread) from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly the bones and lymph nodes. Prostate cancer may cause pain, difficulty in urinating, problems during sexual intercourse, or erectile dysfunction. Other symptoms can potentially develop during later stages of the disease. Thus Prostate cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor (growth) that consists of cells from the prostate gland.
What is the prostate gland?
The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system (see the picture below). The prostate makes a fluid that mixes with sperm and other fluids during ejaculation. A normal prostate is about the size of a walnut.
Who is at risk for prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men, other than skin cancer.
Although men of any age can get prostate cancer, it is found most often in men older than 50 years of age. In fact, more than 8 out of 10 men who have prostate cancer are older than 65 years of age.
For unknown reasons, African-American men are at higher risk than Caucasian men. Men with a family history of prostate cancer are at higher risk, too. In this case, family history means that your father or a brother had prostate cancer.
Men who are obese and eat a diet high in fat are also at a higher risk for prostate cancer.
Although men of any age can get prostate cancer, it is found most often in men older than 50 years of age. In fact, more than 8 out of 10 men who have prostate cancer are older than 65 years of age.
For unknown reasons, African-American men are at higher risk than Caucasian men. Men with a family history of prostate cancer are at higher risk, too. In this case, family history means that your father or a brother had prostate cancer.
Men who are obese and eat a diet high in fat are also at a higher risk for prostate cancer.
Possible Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer, especially in its early stages, often does not have any symptoms. Symptoms are more likely to appear as the cancer grows.
Call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms:
- Difficulty starting to urinate
- Less force to the stream of urine
- Dribbling after you finish urinating
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Blood or pus in the urine
- Blood in the semen
- Pain while urinating
- Pain with ejaculation
- Hip and lower back pain that does not go away over time
- Pain in the lower part of your pelvis
- Unintended weight loss and/or loss of appetite
How does my doctor check my prostate?
Your doctor may examine your prostate by putting a gloved, lubricated finger a few inches into your rectum to feel your prostate gland. This is called a digital rectal exam. A normal prostate feels firm. If there are hard spots on the prostate, your doctor may suggest additional testing to check for prostate cancer.
What is the PSA test?
Another way to check for prostate cancer is with a blood test called the PSA test. PSA is short for prostate-specific antigen. Men who have prostate cancer may have a higher level of PSA in their blood. However, the PSA level can also be high because of less serious causes, such as infection or prostate enlargement.
What are the treatment options for prostate cancer?
If prostate cancer is caught early and before it has spread to other parts of the body, it can often be treated successfully.
For early stages of prostate cancer, one option is "watchful waiting." Watchful waiting means seeing your doctor often so he or she can track the cancer. This can include frequent blood tests and rectal exams to check the growth of the cancer. This may be a good option for those who have a slow-growing cancer, or men who are elderly and/or in poor health. At any time during watchful waiting, you can choose to switch to another treatment.
Surgery, radiation and drug therapy are options that can treat your prostate cancer. These treatments can cause side effects, such as impotence and incontinence, but these side effects usually disappear after treatment.
For early stages of prostate cancer, one option is "watchful waiting." Watchful waiting means seeing your doctor often so he or she can track the cancer. This can include frequent blood tests and rectal exams to check the growth of the cancer. This may be a good option for those who have a slow-growing cancer, or men who are elderly and/or in poor health. At any time during watchful waiting, you can choose to switch to another treatment.
Surgery, radiation and drug therapy are options that can treat your prostate cancer. These treatments can cause side effects, such as impotence and incontinence, but these side effects usually disappear after treatment.
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