What is Prostate Cancer?
The Prostate is a walnut sized gland located above the rectum, attached to the bladder and urethra. It’s main purpose is to produce fluid that transports sperm during the male orgasm. According to recent estimates, there are 180,000 to 200,000 newly diagnosed cases of prostate cancer detected annually. Prostate Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men after Lung Cancer. Close to 40,000 men die as the result of Prostate Cancer. Prostate Cancer is characterized by the uncontrolled growth and potential spread of abnormal cells.
The prostate The prostate is a gland found only in men. As shown in the picture below, the prostate is just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is about the size of a walnut. The tube that carries urine (the urethra) runs through the prostate. The prostate contains cells that make some of the fluid (semen) that protects and nourishes the sperm. The prostate begins to develop before birth and keeps on growing until a man reaches adulthood. Male hormones (called androgens) cause this growth. If male hormone levels are low, the prostate gland will not grow to full size. In older men, though, the part of the prostate around the urethra may keep on growing. This causes BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) which can result in problems passing urine. BPH is a problem that must be treated, but it is not cancer. Prostate cancer There are several cell types in the prostate, but nearly all prostate cancers start in the gland cells. This kind of cancer is known as adenocarcinoma. The re
Prostate cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the prostate. The disease is found mainly in older men. As men age, the prostate may enlarge, blocking the urethra or bladder. This may cause difficulty in urination or can interfere with sexual function. These symptoms may indicate cancer, but they also are common to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a noncancerous enlargement of the gland. Therefore, it is important to discuss them with your doctor as soon as they occur.
