What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that begins in the prostate gland of men. Over 95% of prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas, cancers that develop in glandular tissue. Another important type of prostate cancer is known as neuro-endocrine or small cell anaplastic cancer. This type tends to spread (metastasize) earlier, but does not produce prostate specific antigen (PSA), a tumor marker discussed below.

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located behind the base of the penis, in front of the rectum and below the bladder. It surrounds the urethra, the tube-like channel that carries urine and semen through the penis. The prostate's main function is to produce seminal fluid, the liquid in semen that protects, supports and helps transport sperm.

Some prostate cancers grow very slowly and might not cause problems for years. Many men with slow-growing prostate cancer may co-exist with their disease and die of something else. But if cancer does spread quickly to other parts of the body, treatment can help manage cancer and control pain, fatigue, and other symptoms.

As we well know, there are many kinds of cancer; unfortunately they all come about because of the out-of-control growth of abnormal cells.