Prostate Cancer
- Prostate Cancer Overview
- Prostate Cancer Causes
- Prostate Cancer Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
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Prostate Cancer Overview
The prostate is a glandular organ present only in males. Only men develop prostate cancer.
The prostate is normally about 3 cm long (slightly more than 1 inch) and lies at the neck of the bladder and in front of the rectum.
- The prostate surrounds the urethra, which is a tubular
structure that carries sperm and urine out of the penis.
- It produces a thin, milky fluid that is added to the
sperm at the time of ejaculation.
- Older men often have an enlarged prostate, which is a noncancerous condition called benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) that causes urinary symptoms.
- As the cells multiply, they form a mass called a
tumor.
- Tumors are cancerous only if they are malignant. This
means that they invade neighboring tissues because of their uncontrolled
growth.
- They may also travel to remote organs via the
bloodstream.
- This process of invading and spreading to other organs
is called metastasis.
- Tumors overwhelm surrounding tissues by invading their space and taking the oxygen and nutrients they need to survive and function.
In the United States, cancer of the prostate is a common malignant cancer in men, second only to lung cancer. About 200,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, and about 30,000 men die of the disease each year.
Next: Prostate Cancer Causes »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Prostate Cancer - Symptoms At Onset Of Disease
The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:
The symptoms of prostate cancer can vary greatly from patient to patient. What were your symptoms at the onset of your disease?
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Prostate cancer is the most common noncutaneous cancer among males.
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