Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the prostate. With the exception of skin cancers, it is the most common cancer in men. Prostate cancer is found mainly in older men, although it is found on occasion at an earlier age.

The prostate gland is one of the male sex glands. It is shaped like a small dumbbell, is about the size of a walnut, and surrounds the neck of the bladder and the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder through the penis). The prostate makes the fluid that liquefies the semen and carries the sperm.

As men get older, the prostate may get bigger. This swelling or enlargement blocks off the urethra. This blockage can cause difficulty in urinating or it may interfere with sexual function. The symptoms for this may be similar to prostate cancer.

Seek medical evaluation for these symptoms:

• weak or interrupted urine flow
• painful ejaculation
• frequent urination, especially at night
• difficulty urinating
• pain or burning with urination
• blood in the urine or
• nagging pain or stiffness in back, hips, pelvis, or ribs

A complete evaluation will include a rectal exam to feel for lumps in the prostate. Other tests, such as an ultrasound, x-rays, CT scan, MRI, blood tests, urine tests, PSA, and others may be needed. The ultrasound test uses sound waves to make a picture of the bladder. If cancer is suspected, removal of a small piece of tissue (biopsy) may be done to remove a sample of the cells from the prostate.

Treatment will depend on whether the cancer has spread outside the prostate:

• Surgery removes the prostate. If the cancer has spread and cannot be removed, surgery can be used to relieve symptoms (palliative surgery).
• Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs to kill the cancer cells.
• Radiation therapy uses x-rays or other high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
• Hormone therapy uses hormones to stop the cancer cells from growing.
• Biological therapy uses methods to get your body to fight the cancer.
• Watchful observation, without treatment, may also be an option for some individuals, especially those over age 70.These men may live many years with untreated prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is often found when the cancer is at an early stage. Most prostate cancer grows very slowly. The 5-year survival rate for localized prostate cancer is 98 percent when found early and properly treated.

Consult the UI Health Care Cancer Information Service at 800-237-1225 or 319-356-3000 for more information about this topic.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File CANC3474.RF2 VRS# 6484 Data Version 7.0 Copyright 1999, 2002-2003 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.