Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, developing in the prostate — a small walnut-shaped gland that produces seminal fluid. Most prostate cancers grow slowly and remain confined to the prostate gland, where they may cause little harm. However, some types are aggressive and can spread quickly. Early detection through screening greatly improves outcomes, and many men with prostate cancer live long, healthy lives with appropriate monitoring or treatment.
Symptoms
Early-stage prostate cancer often causes no symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they may include difficulty urinating, weak or interrupted urine flow, frequent urination (especially at night), blood in urine or semen, painful ejaculation, pelvic discomfort, bone pain (if cancer has spread), and unexplained weight loss. These symptoms can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), so evaluation by a healthcare provider is important.
Treatments
Treatment depends on the cancer's stage, grade, and the patient's overall health and preferences. Options include active surveillance for low-risk cases, surgery (radical prostatectomy), radiation therapy (external beam or brachytherapy), hormone therapy (androgen deprivation therapy), chemotherapy, immunotherapy (sipuleucel-T), targeted therapy (PARP inhibitors), and bone-directed therapy for advanced disease. Treatment choice is highly individualized, and many men benefit from a multidisciplinary team approach.
Risk Factors
Age (risk rises significantly after 50), family history of prostate or breast cancer, inherited genetic mutations (BRCA1, BRCA2, Lynch syndrome), African ancestry (higher risk and more aggressive disease), diet high in red meat and high-fat dairy, obesity, smoking, exposure to certain chemicals (Agent Orange), and inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis).
Prevalence
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide, with approximately 1.4 million new cases diagnosed each year. In the United States, about 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. It is estimated that over 288,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in the U.S. alone, though the 5-year survival rate for localized and regional prostate cancer is nearly 100%.
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