prostate-report.org

Prostate cancer: A very common cancer in men

Prostate cancer is a common cancer for men, second only to skin cancer.

 The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 186,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008. Prostate cancer accounts for about 9 percent of cancer-related deaths in men. More than 90 percent of prostate cancers are detected when the cancer is still confined to the prostate or has spread to nearby areas within the pelvis.

Early detection with modern methods using Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) testing means that prostate cancers are now found in earlier stages when they are most treatable and curable.

The early forms of prostate cancer may simply be observed (watchful waiting), or be treated with surgery, radiation therapy (x-rays, or seeds) or cryotherapy (freezing the prostate).

Men who have more advanced forms of prostate cancer may be treated with hormonal therapy (also known as androgen deprivation therapy), alone or in combination with radiation therapy or surgery. In men with incurable prostate cancer, hormone therapy can delay the progression of cancer. When the prostate cancer no longer responds to hormone therapy, chemotherapy (medication that kills cancer cells) may be used to reduce symptoms and prolong life.