What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor (growth) that consists of cells from the prostate gland. The tumor usually grows slowly and remains confined to the gland for many years. During this time, the tumor produces little or no symptoms or outward signs (abnormalities on physical examination). As the cancer advances, however, it can spread beyond the prostate into the surrounding tissues (local spread). Moreover, the cancer also can metastasize (spread even farther) throughout other areas of the body, such as the bones, lungs, and liver. Symptoms and signs, therefore, are more often associated with advanced prostate cancer. Why is prostate cancer important? Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in American men and the second leading cause of deaths from cancer, after lung cancer. Most experts in this field, therefore, recommend that beginning at age 40, all men should undergo yearly screening for prostate cancer.
A. Prostate cancer is a very variable disease. Some tumours remain small and grow so slowly that they cause no problems and often remain undetected for decades; others are aggressive, grow quickly and become life-threatening. Many of these aggressive cases spread to the bones, where they cause severe pain.
Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate gland grow out of control. There are often no early prostate cancer symptoms, but some men have urinary symptoms and discomfort. Prostate cancer treatment options are surgery, chemotherapy, cryotherapy, hormonal therapy, and/or radiation. In some instances, doctors recommend “watchful waiting.
Prostate cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the prostate gland. In most men, prostate disease grows very slowly. The majority of men with low-grade, early prostate cancer (confined to the gland) live a long time after their diagnosis. However, prostate cancer is a very serious disease that may be life threatening so it is important that you are examined and treated.
