What Should I Know About Prostate Cancer?

The cause of prostate cancer is unknown. However, it is known that the growth of cancer cells in the prostate, like that of normal prostate cells, is stimulated by male hormones, especially testosterone. Testosterone is produced almost entirely by the testes (about 95%), with only a small percentage (about 5%) being produced by the adrenal glands (small glands that sit above each kidney).

Compared with other types of cancer, generally, prostate cancer is relatively slow growing. A man with prostate cancer may live for many years without ever having the cancer discovered. In fact, many men with prostate cancer will not die from it but with it. As a man gets older, his risk of developing prostate cancer increases. More than 70% of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over 65 years of age.¹

As the cancer grows, it may eventually squeeze the urethra, which is surrounded by the prostate. Then, symptoms such as difficulty in urinating may develop. This is usually the first clinical symptom of prostate cancer. (It is important to note, however, that difficulty in urinating can be caused by other, noncancerous conditions of the prostate and does not always mean that prostate cancer is present.) With or without symptoms, a growing prostate cancer can also attack cells close to the prostate.

As mentioned, cells can break off from the cancer and spread. Sites where prostate cancer tends to spread are the lymph nodes, various bones (especially the bones of the hip and lower back), lungs, and occasionally the brain. Cancer cells that have spread to other areas of the body can form tumors that can expand and squeeze other body parts. For example, when prostate cancer spreads to the bones, the most common symptom is bone pain.

References
1. American Cancer Society. Detailed Guide: Prostate Cancer. 2005. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2_3x.asp