Cancer - Prostate

The prostate The prostate is a small gland about the size of a walnut found only in men. It sits just below the bladder and surrounds the top part of the urethra (the tube that takes urine from the bladder to the penis). The prostate produces seminal fluid (that makes up semen). The growth and development of the prostate depends on the male sex hormone, testosterone produced by the testis. It is common for the prostate to get larger as men grow older. This is called benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). This is not cancer even though the symptoms can be similar to those of prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer is malignant tumour of the prostate gland. Early prostate cancers (also known as localised prostate cancers) are contained within the prostate. These early cancers often do not produce symptoms and may not become advanced cancer. Such cancers may not need treatment. However some prostate cancers grow and spread to the tissues around the prostate. This is called invasive prostate cancer. There is a group of lymph nodes near the prostate which are parts of the lymphatic system. This is one of your body?s natural defences against infection. Lymph nodes remove bacteria and other harmful agents. The major lymph nodes in your abdomen, pelvis, groin neck and armpit are connected via the blood to other parts of the body, such as the bones and lungs. Most types of cancer spread in this way, but treatment can often stop this happening.