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Prostate cancer is cancer (malignancy) of the prostate gland. The prostate gland is the organ at the base of the bladder in men that produces the fluid in semen that nourishes sperm. Early prostate cancer has no warning signs or symptoms. Among men in the United States, prostate cancer is the most common cancer. The risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age.
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Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among men in the United States and is the second most common cause of cancer deaths.
Prostate cancer begins as a small bump in the prostate gland. The prostate gland is an organ in the male reproductive system that produces the fluid in semen that nourishes sperm. It sits at the base of the bladder and surrounds the urethra.
Prostate cancer usually grows very slowly and causes no symptoms until the disease is in its advanced stages. Sometimes, symptoms of prostate cancer do not develop until the cancer has grown large enough to affect the urethra and flow of urine, causing symptoms similar to those caused by an enlarged prostate, including difficulty urinating and a need to urinate frequently or urgently. Prostate cancer may also cause blood in the urine. Symptoms of prostate cancer can develop after the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastasized). Prostate cancer often spreads to bone and the kidneys. If prostate cancer spreads to the brain, neurologic symptoms, such as headaches and seizures, can develop. Prostate cancer can also spread to the spinal cord.
Because prostate cancer is common but rarely causes symptoms early on, prostate screening tests are often performed. Prostate screening can help detect prostate cancer at an early stage. Prostate screening tests include the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, a digital rectal examination, genetic testing, and biopsy.
Treatment options are available for men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Each treatment option for prostate cancer has benefits and risks. These prostate cancer options must be discussed with your health care provider to determine which prostate cancer treatment option is best for you. Treatment of prostate cancer may involve a prostatectomy, which is the surgical removal of the prostate gland. There are three types of prostatectomy: radical prostatectomy (removal of the entire prostate, seminal vesicles, and vas deferens), nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy (removal of the prostate while sparing certain nerves), and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (surgery that involves a smaller incision).
The information provided in the Prostate Cancer Condition Guide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. A licensed healthcare professional should be consulted for prostate cancer screening or diagnosis of prostate cancer and treatment of any and all medical conditions.
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The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. A licensed healthcare professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.
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