Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer is usually in older men. With age, the prostate may enlarge and block the urethra or bladder causing difficulty in urination or sexual functions. This is called benign prostatic hyperplasia and it may require surgery to correct it. The symptoms of BPH are similar to symptoms for prostate cancer.

See a doctor if you have a weak or interrupted flow of urine, urinate often, have difficulty urinating, pain or burning during urination, blood in the urine, or a nagging pain in the back, hips, or pelvis.

There are sometimes no symptoms with the first stages of prostate cancer.  A rectal examination is best to feel for lumps in the prostate.  If something feels abnormal, the doctor may need to take a biopsy from the prostate with a needle. The doctor insert the needle through the rectum or through the space between the scrotum and the anus.

The prognosis and treatment hinge on the stage of the cancer and the patient's general health.  The cancer sometimes spreads to the pelvis' lymph nodes and they must be removed also.

The doctor will decide if surgery is necessary to remove the prostate or if they can use radiation therapy, hormone therapy to stop cancer cells from growing, chemotherapy, or even biological therapy which uses the body's immune system to fight the cancer.