Prostate cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the prostate.
The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system located just below the bladder (the organ that collects and empties urine) and in front of the rectum (the lower part of the intestine). It is about the size of a walnut and surrounds part of the urethra, the tube that empties urine from the bladder.
Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in men. Although there are several cell types in the prostate, nearly all prostate cancers start in the gland cells. The medical term used to identify virtually all prostate cancers is adenocarcinoma. The diagnosis of prostate cancer is rare before the age of 40 but increases dramatically with increasing age.
Possible symptoms of prostate cancer include:
Weak or interrupted flow of urine
Frequent urination (especially at night)
Trouble urinating
Pain or burning during urination
Blood in the urine or semen
A pain in the back, hips or pelvis that doesn't go away
Painful ejaculation
Loss of appetite or weight
Persistent bone pain
Please keep in mind there is no symptom that absolutely identifies prostate cancer, as all of the above can be related to benign disease. Prostate Cancer Resources Diagnostic Tools Treatment Sentara Cancer NetworkProstate Cancer - Understanding Your Treatment and Diagnosis
Watch patient education videos about our comprehensive care approach to treating and diagnosing prostate cancer.
Information for this section was compiled with the help of the following Web sites. Please see them for more information on prostate cancer.
American Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute American Urological Society