Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that starts from cells of the prostate, typically the gland cells. Normally, prostate cancer grows slowly, but it has been seen to grow and spread quickly in some cases.

By measuring the levels of prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, in the blood or by performing a digital rectal exam (DRE), it is possible to detect prostate cancer in its early stages of development. During a DRE the prostate gland is examined for bumps or solid masses, which could be identified as tumors.

Common symptoms of prostate cancer are the need to urinate frequently (especially at night), difficulty urinating, and difficulty or pain with ejaculation. Other symptoms may include blood in urine or semen. If your doctor suspects prostate cancer, he will likely perform a biopsy to make the diagnosis and, if it is indeed cancer, to determine the stage of the disease and how quickly or slowly it might grow and spread.

The most common treatments for prostate cancer may include surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy. Chemotherapy may also be used in cases of more advanced disease. The most common operation for prostate cancer is a radical prostatectomy, which simply removes the prostate in cases in which the disease has not spread.