The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Prostate cancer develops when prostate cells acquire abnormal growth characteristics.
Weak urine flow
BIMARIDUR HEALTH ENCYCLOPEDIA
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is cancer that forms in the tissues of the prostate gland. It is more common with increasing age and may grow slowly in many men.
Medical illustration
Male urinary and reproductive anatomy showing bladder, prostate, urethra, seminal vesicles and rectum.
ICDC61
Affected areaProstate gland, nearby tissues and lymph nodes; advanced disease may affect bones and other organs.
ContagiousnessProstate cancer is not contagious and cannot be transmitted through sexual contact or ordinary close contact.
01 • QUICK UNDERSTANDING
What is Prostate Cancer?
02 • BODY & MECHANISM
What happens in the body?
Medical illustration
Male urinary and reproductive anatomy showing bladder, prostate, urethra, seminal vesicles and rectum.
Body structure involved
The prostate surrounds part of the urethra and contributes fluid to semen. Its location explains why prostate enlargement or cancer can affect urinary function.
How it starts
Prostate cancer begins after abnormal cellular changes develop in prostate tissue. The exact cause of an individual cancer is usually not identifiable.
What happens inside the body
Cancer cells form in prostate tissue and may remain confined to the prostate or extend beyond it. Some tumors grow slowly, while others are more aggressive and can spread.
03 • TYPES & CLASSIFICATION
Types and classification
Medical illustration
Visual explaining PSA, Gleason score/Grade Group and localized versus advanced prostate cancer.
Risk classification may use PSA level, biopsy findings, Gleason score/Grade Group, tumor extent and whether cancer has spread.
Most prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas arising from glandular cells. Less common prostate tumors have different biology and management.
04 • SYMPTOMS
Symptoms and warning signs
Medical illustration
Visual showing urinary changes, blood in urine or semen and persistent pelvic, hip or back pain.
Frequent urination
Difficulty starting urination
Blood in urine or semen
Persistent back, hip or pelvic pain
Early disease may have no symptoms
06 • CAUSES
What can cause this disease?
Medical illustration
Visual showing age, family history and inherited genetic risk as important risk factors.
The exact cause is not usually known. Risk is influenced by age, family history, inherited genetic factors and other biological factors.
07 • RISK FACTORS
Who may have a higher risk?
1
Increasing age
2
Family history of prostate cancer
3
Inherited genetic risk
4
Certain population and ancestry-related risk patterns
08 • DIAGNOSIS
How is Prostate Cancer diagnosed?
Medical illustration
PSA/DRE → risk assessment → imaging when appropriate → prostate biopsy → pathology and grading.
Evaluation can include medical history, physical examination, PSA blood testing, digital rectal examination and prostate imaging. A biopsy is used to diagnose prostate cancer and determine tumor grade.
Clinical evaluation
Persistent urinary changes
Unexplained blood in urine or semen
Persistent pelvic, hip or back pain
Abnormal PSA requiring evaluation
Laboratory tests
PSA blood test
Blood chemistry testing when clinically indicated
Other tests based on treatment and disease extent
Imaging and scans
Multiparametric MRI
CT scan when indicated
Bone imaging when clinically indicated
PET-based imaging for selected patients
Special or confirmatory tests
Digital rectal examination
Prostate biopsy
Pathology grading
Molecular or genetic testing in selected patients
09 • DIFFERENTIAL CONTEXT
Conditions that may look similar
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Prostatitis
Urinary tract infection
Other urinary tract disorders
10 • EXTENT / STAGE
Stages or severity
Medical illustration
Visual showing localized prostate cancer through regional and distant disease.
Prostate cancer is staged from I through IV. PSA, Grade Group/Gleason score, tumor extent and spread to lymph nodes or distant organs help determine stage and risk.
Important:
Staging or grading systems differ between diseases. The information here is educational and should be interpreted by a qualified healthcare professional in the context of the individual case.
11 • TREATMENT
How is Prostate Cancer treated?
Medical illustration
Treatment pathway showing surveillance, surgery, radiation, hormone therapy and systemic treatments according to risk and stage.
Options can include active surveillance, watchful waiting, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy in selected circumstances.
Medicines that may be used
Hormone therapy may be used for selected prostate cancers.
Chemotherapy may be used for advanced disease.
Targeted therapy or immunotherapy may be used in selected molecular situations.
Supportive medicines may be used for pain or treatment effects.
Medicine safety:
Medicines listed here are for educational information only. Do not start, stop, or change a medicine without professional medical advice.
12 • COMPLICATIONS
Possible complications
Possible complications include urinary obstruction, urinary symptoms, sexual dysfunction, bone involvement, pain and complications from cancer treatment.
URGENT SAFETY INFORMATION
When should urgent medical help be considered?
Complete inability to pass urine
Severe new weakness or numbness associated with spinal symptoms
Severe uncontrolled pain
Confusion or collapse
If symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening, or life-threatening, seek emergency medical care immediately.
13 • OUTLOOK
Prognosis and recovery outlook
Medical illustration
Visual showing PSA, Grade Group, stage, tumor extent and overall health as prognosis factors.
Prognosis depends on stage, PSA, Grade Group/Gleason score, tumor extent, age, overall health and whether the cancer has recurred or spread.
How to interpret these statistics
Survival statistics describe outcomes in groups of people and cannot predict exactly what will happen to one individual. Prognosis depends on factors such as cancer stage, tumor biology, treatment response, overall health, and follow-up.
14 • EPIDEMIOLOGY
How common is it?
Prostate cancer is a major cancer in men worldwide. India-specific incidence varies by region and registry population.
15 • PREVENTION
Risk reduction and prevention
There is no guaranteed way to prevent prostate cancer. Healthy lifestyle habits support general health, while decisions about screening should consider age, family history and individual risk.
16 • PREPARE FOR YOUR VISIT
Questions you may ask your doctor
1
What is my PSA level and what does it mean in context?
2
What is the Grade Group or Gleason score?
3
Is the cancer localized or has it spread?
4
Is active surveillance appropriate?
5
What treatment side effects should I expect?
17 • FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does a high PSA mean prostate cancer?
Can prostate cancer have no symptoms?
What is a Gleason score?
Is active surveillance the same as ignoring cancer?
Important medical information
BimariDur provides educational health information to help people understand diseases, symptoms, tests, and treatment concepts. It does not replace examination, diagnosis, or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional.
Do not delay professional medical care because of information read on BimariDur.