Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men (besides skin cancer). About 1 man in 6 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. Because prostate cancer is usually slow growing, only about 1 in 35 men will die of the disease. Prostate cancer accounts for about 10% of cancer-related deaths in men. More than 2 million men in the United States who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point are still alive today. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind lung cancer.
Adenocarcinoma of the prostate is the clinical term for most cancerous tumors in the prostate gland. As prostate cancer grows, it may spread to the interior of the gland, to tissues near the prostate, to sac-like structures attached to the prostate (seminal vesicles), and to distant parts of the body (e.g., bones, lymph nodes, liver, and lungs). Prostate cancer confined to the gland is often treated successfully, with very high cure rates.
Prostate Anatomy
The prostate gland is located in the pelvis, below the bladder, above the urethral sphincter and the penis, and in front of the rectum in men. It is made up of glandular tissue and muscle fibers that surround a portion of the urethra. The gland itself serves to liquefy semen, as it is initially in semi-solid form.
Causes
As with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) the risk for prostate cancer increases with age. About two out of every three men with prostate cancer are over 65. The exact etiology of prostate cancer is not clear, but risk factors associated with it include:
- Age: The risk of developing prostate cancer increases as you grow older.
- Family history: Having a father or brother with prostate cancer increases your risks; having more than one primary relative doubles your risk.
- Race: African-American men are at slightly higher risk to develop prostate cancer, higher risk of advanced disease and have higher mortality rates than Caucasians.
Prostate Cancer Symptoms
Most cases of prostate cancer have no associated symptoms. There are no specific warning signs or symptoms of early prostate cancer, but occasionally patients can have the following symptoms, which are similar to those of BPH.
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Inability to urinate
- Painful ejaculation
- Pain or burning during urination (dysuria)
- Weak or interrupted urinary flow
Symptoms of advanced prostate cancer include:
- Dull, incessant deep pain or stiffness in the pelvis, lower back, ribs or upper thighs; arthritic pain in the bones of those areas
- Loss of weight and appetite, fatigue, nausea, or vomiting
- Swelling of the lower extremities
- Anemia
- Difficulty moving your legs, leg pain, and sensation in lower extremities
Call your doctor if:
- You have difficulty urinating or find that urination is painful or otherwise abnormal. Your doctor will examine your prostate gland to determine whether it is enlarged, inflamed with an infection, or may have cancer.
- You have chronic pain in your lower back, pelvis, upper thighbones, or other bones. Ongoing pain without explanation always merits medical attention. Pain in these areas can have various causes but may be from the spread of advanced prostate cancer.
- You experience unexplained weight loss.
- You have swelling in your legs.