Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death among men in the United States, with 94 men dying from prostate cancer each day. It is a disease that can affect any male ages 40 and up, although it tends to be more common in men over age 50.
The prostate gland lies below the bladder and in front of the rectum (the bony part of the scrotum). In younger men, it is about the size of a walnut. Its primary function is to make fluid to nourish the semen.
It can also make protein and other substances needed for cell growth. In men, it is surrounded by glands called seminal vesicles. It produces testosterone, which helps men develop erections and regulates sexual function.
Early detection of prostate cancer can dramatically improve your chances of surviving this disease. Visit your doctor for regular screenings.
Your doctor can diagnose your cancer based on the type of symptoms and signs you have. They may use a blood test called PSA to check for cancer. They may also order a biopsy to look for cancer cells in your prostate tissue.
They may also order imaging tests to get a better look at your prostate. These include a MRI scan, which uses radio waves and strong magnets instead of x-rays to show your prostate and surrounding tissues. A contrast dye can be injected into a vein before the test to help show your prostate and any areas where cancer has spread.
The stage of your cancer tells doctors if it is likely to spread outside the prostate and whether treatment can help. It is important to know what your stage is so that you can talk with your doctor about the best way to treat it.
When your cancer has metastasized, it means it has spread beyond the prostate to lymph nodes, organs or bones in other parts of the body. Your doctor will determine the stage of your prostate cancer based on how advanced it is and what it has spread to, according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer’s TNM system for staging.
There are four stages for prostate cancer based on the TNM system. The higher the stage, the more advanced your cancer is.
T4 is the most advanced stage of prostate cancer, and it is when the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other areas of the body. It can also mean that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs or bone.
In most cases, stage 4 is not curable, but there are treatments available that can slow the progress of the cancer or make it less severe. These treatments can also ease your pain, decrease the risk of developing other cancers and prolong your life.
In some cases, you may need surgery to remove the prostate or a part of the scrotum. This is often referred to as radical prostatectomy or radical cystectomy, and it usually requires a hospital stay. It can be done by a surgeon or a urologist (a doctor who specializes in treating the urinary tract). Radiation therapy is also used to treat stage 4 cancer, but it normally only works to ease symptoms and does not extend your life expectancy.
