Prostate cancer is a common type of cancer that affects men. It is the most prevalent cancer among men in the United States, after skin cancer. The prostate is a small, walnut-shaped gland that produces seminal fluid, a component of semen. Cancer occurs when cells start to grow uncontrollably in certain parts of the body. Prostate cancer usually starts in the glandular cells that line the ducts of the prostate. These cells produce a fluid that nourishes and protects sperm.
Prostate cancer can be a serious disease, but most men who are diagnosed with it can live long, full lives. Thanks to advances in diagnosis and treatment, survival rates for prostate cancer have increased dramatically over the past few decades. In the early stages, prostate cancer may not cause any symptoms. As the cancer grows, it can cause a variety of symptoms, including difficulty urinating, a frequent need to urinate, pain in the bones, or erectile dysfunction.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to see your doctor right away. Prostate cancer is usually diagnosed with a blood test called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and a digital rectal exam (DRE). If these tests suggest that you may have prostate cancer, your doctor may order additional tests, such as a biopsy.
What is Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a common cancer that affects men.
- Most common cancer among men
- Grows in the prostate gland
- Produces seminal fluid
- Symptoms: difficulty urinating, frequent urination, bone pain
- Diagnosed with PSA test and DRE
- Treatment options: surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy
- Many men live long, full lives with prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a serious disease, but thanks to advances in diagnosis and treatment, survival rates have increased dramatically in recent decades.
Most common cancer among men
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States, after skin cancer. In 2023, an estimated 288,360 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 34,700 men will die from the disease.
Prostate cancer is more common in older men. The average age at diagnosis is 66 years old. However, prostate cancer can occur in men of all ages, even young men in their 20s and 30s.
The risk of prostate cancer increases as men age. This is because the prostate gland grows larger as men get older. The larger the prostate gland, the more cells there are that can become cancerous.
African American men have a higher risk of prostate cancer than men of other races. The reasons for this are not fully understood, but they may include genetic factors and environmental factors.
Prostate cancer is a serious disease, but it is important to remember that most men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer can live long, full lives. Thanks to advances in diagnosis and treatment, survival rates for prostate cancer have increased dramatically over the past few decades.
Grows in the prostate gland
The prostate gland is a small, walnut-shaped gland that sits below the bladder in men. It surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body. The prostate gland produces seminal fluid, a component of semen that helps to nourish and protect sperm.
Prostate cancer starts when cells in the prostate gland start to grow uncontrollably. These cells can form a tumor, which can grow and spread to other parts of the body. Prostate cancer is usually a slow-growing cancer, but it can be aggressive in some men.
There are two main types of prostate cancer:
- Adenocarcinoma: This is the most common type of prostate cancer. It starts in the glandular cells of the prostate gland.
- Small cell carcinoma: This is a rare and aggressive type of prostate cancer. It starts in the neuroendocrine cells of the prostate gland.
Prostate cancer can also be classified as either localized or metastatic:
- Localized prostate cancer: This means that the cancer is confined to the prostate gland.
- Metastatic prostate cancer: This means that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones, lungs, or liver.
Prostate cancer is usually diagnosed with a blood test called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and a digital rectal exam (DRE). If these tests suggest that you may have prostate cancer, your doctor may order additional tests, such as a biopsy.