- The prostate is a gland that is a part of the male reproductive system that wraps around the male urethra at its exit from the bladder
- Common problems are BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis and chronic prostatitis (non-bacterial)
- Prostate cancer is common in men over 50, especially in African-Americans and in men who eat fatty food and/or have a father or brother with prostate cancer
- Symptoms of prostate problems (and prostate cancer) include urinary problems (little or no urine output, difficulty starting (straining) or stopping the urine stream, frequent urination, dribbling, pain or burning during urination), erectile dysfunction, painful ejaculation, blood in urine or semen and/or deep back, hip, pelvic or abdominal pain; other symptoms may include weight loss, bone pain and lower extremity swelling
- Prostate cancer is definitively diagnosed by tissue biopsy; initial studies may include a rectal exam, ultrasound and PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels.
- reatments for prostate cancer may include surveillance, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, vaccine therapy, and other medical therapies that can affect prostate cancer cell growth.
- PSA testing is considered to be yearly PSA tests; not all agree this should be done. Rectal examination is recommended in patients with an elevated PSA and may be considered as a baseline test.
- Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer and cancer death in males; in some men, identifying it early may prevent/delay spread and death from prostate cancer.
Read full article at: http://www.medicinenet.com/prostate_cancer/article.htm
