The prostate gland is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. This gland is found only in men. The prostate gland produces the fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.
Prostate cancer is considered one of the most common types of cancer in men. This type of cancer is often slow-growing, and can be treated successfully and effectively when detected early in its early stages.
It is worth noting that the enlargement or proliferation of cells in the prostate gland can be benign, which is a condition of benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is sometimes called benign prostate cancer.
The size of the prostate gland also usually changes as a man ages, as the normal size of the prostate gland is approximately the size of a walnut, but it can be much larger in older men.
Stages of prostate cancer
Knowing the stage of prostate cancer helps in making treatment decisions. The stages of prostate cancer include the following:
Stage 0: In this stage, the cancer cells are slow growing and affect only a small area of the prostate gland.
The first stage: This stage is called the localized cancer stage, in which the cancer remains confined within the prostate gland, and the cancer can be treated effectively during this stage.
Stages II and III: These stages of prostate cancer are called the regional stage, and the cancer has spread to neighboring tissues close to the prostate gland.
Stage Four: This is the stage of advanced or metastatic prostate cancer, in which the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the bones and lungs. This stage is also called metastatic prostate cancer.
Recurrent prostate cancer
Recurrent prostate cancer sometimes occurs after prostate cancer treatment, and the malignant tumor may recur in the prostate area or in other areas of the body.
Prostate cancer that recurs in the same prostate area is called local recurrence, but if it recurs in another area of the body, it is called distant recurrence or metastatic prostate cancer. When prostate cancer spreads, it is likely to develop in nearby lymph nodes and then spread to the bones. Prostate cancer may also spread to the liver and other organs of the body.
Is prostate cancer dangerous?
Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that grows and develops slowly, and often does not cause any symptoms until it becomes advanced. But once prostate cancer spreads in the body, it is considered dangerous, and therefore it is recommended that early detection of prostate cancer be carried out regularly in people at risk of developing it.
Types of prostate cancer
Adenocarcinomas are the most common type of prostate cancer, and they arise from cells in the prostate gland that make the prostate fluid that is added to semen.
Other types of prostate cancer that are rare include:
Small cell carcinoma
Neuroendocrine tumors
Transitional cell carcinoma
Postaneous sarcoma
