Prostate Cancer Defined

What is the Prostate?

The prostate is a small gland about the size of a walnut, located behind the base of the penis, in front of the rectum, and under the bladder. It surrounds the neck of the bladder and a section of the urethra. The main function of the prostate gland is to produce an alkaline fluid which forms a portion of the semen.

What is Cancer?

Cancer is a disease that causes cells in the body to change and grow out of control. It usually takes the form of a lump or a mass called a tumor. A cancerous tumor is referred to as malignant. As the cancer grows, cells from the tumor can break away and travel to other parts of the body, thereby spreading the disease.

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer occurs when malignant cells develop and form a tumor in the prostate gland. Localized prostate cancer is defined as a cancer confined within the prostate gland. In most cases, the cancer will grow slowly. However, it can grow quickly and spread to other parts of the body. Treatment of the cancer becomes more difficult as it spreads beyond the prostate. Staging of the cancer -- which is the process of classifying the severity of malignant tumors -- will determine the extent to which the cancer has spread.