Overview:
Prostate cancer is, unfortunately common today. It is the second most prevalent form of cancer in men in the United States. Only skin cancer is more common. Fortunately, most men facing prostate cancer survive the disease. Increased awareness of prostate cancer, screening, and early diagnosis are in part responsible for the success in identifying and treating prostate cancer successfully. New advances in the way treatment is coordinated and delivered are also largely responsble for the improved outcomes.
The effective treatment of prostate cancer requires the participation of a multidisciplinary team of physicians comprised of radiologists, pathologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists. Each plays an important role in the treatment of prostate cancer as each has a certain speciality and expertise. The integration and communication between this team is important, as treatment of prostate cancer is a process which involves each of these various specialties at various stages in treatment.
The Prostate:
The prostate is part of a man's reproductive system. It's an organ located in front of the rectum and under the bladder. The prostate surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine flows.
A healthy prostate is about the size of a walnut. If the prostate grows too large, it squeezes the urethra. This may slow or stop the flow of urine from the bladder to the penis.
The prostate is a gland. It makes part of the seminal fluid. During ejaculation, the seminal fluid helps carry sperm out of the man's body as part of semen.
Male hormones (androgens) make the prostate grow. The testicles are the main source of male hormones, including testosterone. The adrenal gland also makes testosterone, but in small amounts.
Source: National Cancer Institute |
