The prostate, found only in men, is a walnut-sized gland located in front of the rectum and underneath the bladder. Although several types of cells can be found in the prostate, over 99% of prostate cancers develop from gland cells. Gland cells are responsible for making prostate fluid which is added to semen. The medical term that refers to prostate cancer that starts in the gland is adenocarcinoma. Other types of cancers can start in the prostate but they are very rare.

Key Statistics

 

(From the American Cancer Society for 2009)

• Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men second to skin cancer.
• Approximately 192, 280 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed this year
• 27,360 men will die of prostate cancer
• Prostate cancer is responsible for 10% of cancer- related deaths in men.
• Due to the advancements in prostate cancer detection and treatment, men diagnosed with prostate cancer this year have a better chance of surviving prostate cancer then men who were diagnosed even 5 years ago.

Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer:

• Age

The chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer increases with age. Men over 45 are at higher risk than younger men.

• Race/ Ethnicity

Prostate cancer is more common in African American men and less common in Asian and American Indian men.

• Family History

Men are 2-3 times more at risk for prostate cancer if their fathers or brothers have had this type of cancer in the past.

• Genes

Recently some specific genes have been found that may be linked to prostate cancer. However, there is no genetic testing that can be done at this point in time.

• Diet

Research suggests that men with a diet high in animal fat (saturated fat), red meat, or high fat dairy products may be a higher risk for developing prostate cancer. Likewise, men who eat plenty of fruits and vegetables may be at a lower risk for prostate cancer.

• Obesity

Some studies suggest that obesity can lead to more advanced and aggressive forms of prostate cancer but may not put a patient at higher risk for developing the cancer.

• Exercise

Although more research is needed in this area, there are studies that have shown that men with high levels of physical activity are less likely to develop advanced prostate cancer, especially in older men.

Common Abbreviations Used When Talking About Prostate Cancer

• PIN- Prostatic intraepithrlial neoplasia (PIN) may appear in the prostate of some men in their early 20s.
  • Almost half of all men have PIN by age 50.
  • If PIN is found, there is a 20- 30% chance that there is cancer in another area of the prostate.
  • Changes in the prostate cells are classified as either low- grade PIN or high- grade PIN. Low-grade PIN means that the cells almost appear normal under a microscope compares to high-grade PIN where the cells are more abnormal.
  • Doctors often watch men with high-grade PIN closely and may request a repeat biopsy of the prostate.
• ASAP- Atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) also referred to as atypia.
  • If ASAP is found, there is a 40- 50% chance that cancer is present in the prostate.
  • Under a microscope cells may look abnormal or cancerous but there are not enough cells to be certain that there is actually cancer.
  • Doctors may request a repeat biopsy of the prostate in a few months and may need more samples than the first time.
• PIA- Proliferative inflammatory atrophy (PIA) is not cancer.
  • PIA cells look abnormal even though they are not considered to be cancerous. Researchers believe that the cells can eventually turn into prostate cancer or into high- grade PIN.

- Prostatic intraepithrlial neoplasia (PIN) may appear in the prostate of some men in their early 20s. - Atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) also referred to as atypia. - Proliferative inflammatory atrophy (PIA) is not cancer.