Overview of Prostate Cancer
The clinical term for a cancerous tumor on the prostate gland is Adenocarcinoma. As the prostate cancer grows, it’s possible for it to spread to the interior of the gland, to sac-like structures attached to the prostate (seminal vesicles), to tissues in the area of the prostate, and to distant parts of the body like the liver, lungs, and bones. If the prostate cancer is confined within the gland, it is often treated successfully.
Anatomy of the Prostate
The prostate gland is located below the bladder within the pelvis, above the urethral sphincter and the penis. In men, it is in front of the rectum. It is made of muscle fibers and glandular tissue that surround a portion of the urethra. A membrane called the prostate capsule covers the prostate gland and produces a prostate-specific antigen.
Overview of Prostate Cancer
Diagnosed prostate cancer cases have been rising rapidly in recent years, with it occurring in 1 out of 6 men. African American men are the highest at risk group, while Native American and Asian men have the lowest risk. As age increases, the risk for developing prostate cancer rises. Over 60% of newly diagnosed cases occur in men over the age of 70.