Prostate CancerProstate cancer, a common form of cancer, is a disease in which cancerous (malignant) cells are found in the prostate. The prostate is found on the male sex glands and is located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The size of the prostate is about the size of a walnut. It surrounds the part of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. The prostate produces fluid that becomes part of semen, which contains sperm. Prostate cancer most often affects older men. As a man ages, his prostate can enlarge and block the urethra of the bladder, which can cause him difficulty urinating or even interfere with his sexual functions. This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and although it is not cancer, surgery may be necessary to correct it. Symptoms of BPH or other prostate problems may be similar to those of prostate cancer. Some common symptoms of prostate cancer are: low or interrupted urine flow, frequent urination (especially at night), difficulty urinating, pain or burning from urination, blood in the urine, and nagging pain in the back, hips or pelvis. Often, there are no early symptoms of prostate cancer. Once prostate cancer is detected, tests are done to determine whether the cancer cells have spread from the prostate to the tissues around it or to other parts of the body. This is called “staging”. It is very important to know the stage of the disease for planning treatment. The following stages are used for prostate cancer: Stage 1: At this stage, prostate cancer cannot be felt and does not cause any symptoms. Cancer only affects the prostate and is usually discovered accidentally during surgery for other reasons, such as BPH. Cancer cells may be found in one or more areas of the prostate. Stage II. The tumor can be detected by a blood test or palpated in certain areas of the prostate during a rectal exam, but cancer cells are found only in the prostate. Stage III Cancer cells have spread outside the covering (capsule) of the prostate into the tissues surrounding it. The seminal vesicles can also contain cancer. Stage IV Cancer cells have spread to lymph nodes near or far from the prostate, or to other organs and tissues, such as the liver or lungs. Prostate stage can also be described using T (tumor size ), N (ext...... middle of paper ......then others so they can prevent future patients to catch it. Surgical castration is the most cost-effective treatment for prostate cancer, but it's not the choice for many. A new method involves targeting a high-intensity ultrasound beam at the prostate. can destroy cancer cells and have few side effects However, there are only preliminary studies, so no evidence is available. Another method being tested involves implanting radioactive seeds into the prostate. called brachytherapy, in which pellets smaller than grains of rice are inserted into the prostate. Preliminary studies show great success, and it is believed that this method may be better than surgery. for prostate cancer, and many other potential cures. However, today, nothing can be done to eliminate cancer permanently.