Prostate cancer is cancer that occurs in a mans prostate a small walnut-shaped gland that produces the seminal fluid

d that nourishes and transports sperm.

Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer occurs in the prostate gland, which is located just below a male's bladder and surrounds the top portion of the urethra, the tube that drains urine from the bladder. This illustration shows a normal prostate gland and a prostate with a tumor.

Its not clear what causes prostate cancer. Doctors know that prostate cancer begins when some cells in the prostate become abnormal. Mutations in the abnormal cells DNA.

Prostate cancer may not cause symptoms in its early stages. Prostate cancer that is more advanced may cause signs and symptoms such as:
Trouble urinating Decreased force in the stream of urine Hematuria Blood in the semen Swelling in the egs Discomfort in the pelvic area Bone pain

Older age Being black Family history of prostate cancer Obesity

Complications of prostate cancer and its treatments include:

Cancer that spreads Incontinence Erectile dysfunction

Digital rectal exam (DRE)

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) Test

If an abnormality is detected on a DRE or PSA test, the doctor may recommend tests to determine whether you have prostate cancer such as:
Ultrasound Collecting a sample of prostate tissue

Transrectal biopsy of the prostate

During a transrectal biopsy, a biopsy gun quickly projects a thin needle into suspect areas of the prostate gland, and small sections of tissue are removed for analysis.

When a biopsy confirms the presence of cancer, the next step, called grading, is to determine how aggressive the cancer is. The tissue samples are studied, and the cancer cells are compared with health prostate cells. The more the cancer cells differ from the healthy cells, the more aggressive the cancer and the more likely it is to spread quickly.

Once a cancer diagnosis has been made, the doctor works to determine the extent (stage) of the cancer. Many men wont require theses additional tests. But if the doctor suspects your cancer may have spread beyond your prostate, imaging tests such as theses may be recommended:
Bone scan Ultrasound CT scan MRI

Once testing is complete, the doctor assigns your cancer a stage. This helps determine the treatment options. The prostate cancer stages are:
Stage I. this stage signifies very early cancer thats confined to a small area of the prostate. When viewed under a microscope, the cancer cells arent considered aggressive.

Cancer at this stage may still be small, but may be considered aggressive when cancer cells are viewed under the microscope. Or cancer that is stage II may be larger and may have grown to involve both sides of the prostate gland.

The cancer has spread beyond the prostate to the seminal vesicle or other nearby tissues.

The cancer has grown to invade nearby organs, such as the bladder, or spread to lymph nodes, bones, lungs or other organs.

Prostate Cancer Stages

Your prostate cancer's stage indicates the size and extent of your cancer. A lower stage indicates cancer is confined to the prostate. A higher stage indicates cancer has grown to invade nearby tissue or spread to distant areas of the body.

Prostate cancer treatment options depend on several factors, such as how fast your cancer is growing, how much it has spread, your overall health as well as the benefits and the potential side effects of the treatment. Immediate treatment may not be necessary

Radiation that comes from outside of your body (external beam radiation). Radiation placed inside your body (brachytherapy)

Permanent Prostate Brachytherapy

Permanent prostate brachytherapy involves placing many radioactive seeds within the prostate to treat prostate cancer. During the procedure, an ultrasound probe is placed in the rectum to help guide the placement of seeds. The seeds, which are typically permanent, emit radiation that dissipates over a few months.

Hormone therapy is treatment to stop your body from producing the male hormone testosterone. Prostate cancer cells rely on testosterone to help them grow. Cutting off the supply of hormones may cause cancer cells to die or to grow more slowly. Hormone therapy options include:

Medications that stop the body from producing testosterone. Prevent the testicles from receiving messages to make testosterone.
Leuprolide (Lupron, Eligard) Goserelin (Zoladex) Triptorelin (Trelstar) Histrelin (Vantas)

Medications that block testosterone from reaching cancer cells.

Bicalutamide (Casodex) Flutamide and Nilutamide (Nilandron)

These drugs typically are given along with an LHRH agonist or given before taking an LH-RH agonist.

Surgery for prostate cancer involves removing the prostate gland, some surrounding tissue and a few lymph nodes.

Cryosurgery or cryoablation involves freezing tissue to kill cancer cells. Cryosurgery may be an option for men who havent been helped by radiation therapy.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill rapidly growing cells, including cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be a treatment option for men with prostate cancer that has spread to distant areas of their bodies. Chemotherapy my also be an option for cancers that dont respond to hormone therapy

Choose a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables. Choose healthy foods over supplements. Exercise most days of the week. Maintain a healthy weight. Talk to your doctor about increased risk of prostate cancer.

The End
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