What is Prostate Cancer?3

Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate gland. The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system located under the bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate surrounds the urethra, which carries sperm and urine out of the body through the penis. Because of this, a common sign of issues with the prostate is trouble urinating. 

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer among men in the US.(3) The risk for prostate cancer increases with age, and it’s rarely found in men younger than 40.(3) The two most common types of prostate cancer are carcinomas and sarcomas, with adenocarcinoma being the most common.(3)

Men are at a higher risk if other men in their family have also been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Consult your healthcare professional if you have any concerns or if you feel a prostate exam is necessary as you get older.

Prostate Cancer Signs and Symptoms3

While early prostate cancer usually has no symptoms, health professionals often recommended regular screenings. When prostate cancer becomes more advanced, some symptoms may appear.

Common signs and symptoms of prostate cancer:

• Problems urinating, including a weak stream, or the need to urinate more often
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Trouble getting an erection
• Pain in the hips, back, chest, or other areas
• Weakness or numbness in the legs or feet
• Loss of bladder or bowel control

Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Staging

Prostate Cancer Screening3:

Prostate cancer is often found early through regular screenings. There are two main ways to screen for prostate cancer. The first type of screening is a blood test that looks for prostate-specific antigen levels, called a PSA test. The next screening is a DRE or Digital Rectal Exam. If either test result suggests that prostate cancer may be present, your healthcare provider may decide to perform a biopsy.

Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, your healthcare professional will determine if it has spread in a process called staging. Staging is a way to identify where cancer is located, how much it has grown, and where it has spread. In the case of prostate cancer, a Gleason score will be used.

Gleason Score3:

The Gleason system, which has been in use for many years, assigns two grades based on how much the cancer looks like normal prostate tissue.

• If the cancer looks a lot like normal prostate tissue, a grade of 1 is assigned.
• If the cancer looks very abnormal, it is given a grade of 5.
• Grades 2 through 4 have features in between these extremes.

The most common pattern of the cancer is given a grade between 1-5, then the second most common pattern is given a grade. These two grades are added together to create an overall Gleason Score.

PSA level and Gleason Score will then be used with other clinical factors to stage the cancer.

Prostate Cancer Treatment Options3

There are several ways to treat prostate cancer. Different stages may require different treatments. The most common treatment plans consist of active surveillance, surgery, and radiation.

Active Surveillance

If your cancer is found to be low-risk, you may be appropriate for active surveillance. Active surveillance is actively monitoring your cancer with regular testing.

Surgery

The most common form of surgery is radical prostatectomy, which involves removing the prostate and some surrounding tissue.

Radiation Therapy

This treatment uses high-energy waves to kill cancer cells. It is administered much like a regular x-ray.

Talk with your doctor about all the risks, side effects, and benefits of each treatment.