Prostate cancer: description, symptoms, causes and treatments

Prostate cancer affects almost a quarter million men each year in the United States. Next to skin cancer, it is the most common form of cancer among American men. Educate yourself about its causes, symptoms and treatments using this brief tutorial.

Where is the prostate and what does it do?

The prostate is a male sex gland surrounding the neck of the urethra, near the bladder. It is composed of three lobes, is about the size of a walnut and is responsible for creating part of seminal fluid—the substance that carries sperm.

How are prostate cancer diagnosed?

Doctors evaluate prostate problems through DRE, TRUS or PSA tests. When a DRE, or Digital Rectal Examination is performed, the doctor inserts his or her fingers into the patient's rectum and feels for any lumps in the surrounding area. Any unusual growth may indicate cancer. TRUS stands for Transrectal Ultrasound. During this test, sound waves are passed over the area to search for any suspect growths. Ultrasound equipment is also useful in guiding biopsy needles into the prostate. A Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test measures the level of prostate-specific antigen present in the prostate. While it's normal for men to have a small amount of this substance, a large quantity may indicate infection. Prostate infections can also be determined using cytoscopy—a procedure that requires the physician to investigate the bladder and urethra using a lighted tube.

What are the symptoms?

Signs of infection might include:

• Dull pain in the pelvic region

• Frequent need to urinate (often releasing little or no fluid)

• Painful ejaculation

• Appetite loss

• Unexplained weight fluctuation

• Difficulty initiating urine flow, subsequent involuntary starting and stopping

• Fatigue

• Pain in hips and thighs in progressed stages

What causes prostate cancer?

Like any cancer, prostate cancer can affect many men for no reason at all. Factors that are known to contribute to the likelihood of prostate cancer include genetics, race, age, diet and environment. Men who have prostate cancer in their families are more likely to suffer from the disease. This doesn't mean they're guaranteed to be affected by it, only that they need to make a point of getting regular checkups. Race plays a small role in the onset of prostate cancer. For instance, Japanese men have a very low incidence of prostate cancer. However, this statistic applies only to men living in Japan. Those living in America are as likely as any American to develop the disease. That being said, environmental conditions can also play a role in male prostate cancer. People in the United States consume an enormous amount of fatty food. This diet no-no is considered a contributor to prostate cancer. These factors may help explain why men of any race are most likely to acquire the disease while living in America. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help ward of many diseases, including prostate cancer.

How is prostate cancer treated?

Most kinds of cancers respond to radiation and chemotherapy. Prostate cancer is sometimes treated with radical prostatectomy, a procedure that involves removal of the infected portions of the prostate. This treatment used to terrify men who feared permanent impotence, but modern surgical treatments more often spare erectile nerves as well as those controlling urinary continence.

African American men have the highest incidence of prostate cancer among American men, but any men over 50 must be examined annually.