This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Maurie Markman, MD, President, Medicine & Science
This page was updated on March 8, 2024.
Prostate cancer affects one in eight U.S. men. It is the second-most common cancer among men in the United States, behind skin cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that about 299,010 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in 2024. While most prostate cancers are slow-growing, some are more aggressive. Approximately one in every 41 men diagnosed will die from the disease, according to the ACS. Black men are reportedly more prone to developing fast-growing prostate cancers that start causing problems earlier and are harder to treat. While a cancer diagnosis can be scary, prostate cancer has high survivor rates, especially when it’s caught and treated early.
At City of Hope, our cancer hospitals treat prostate cancer with sophisticated tools like 4D radiation therapy, hormone therapy and immunotherapy. The prostate cancer experts at City of Hope will recommend a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan specific to your diagnosis and individual needs. Each patient’s multidisciplinary care team works together under one roof, treating the prostate cancer while also helping patients manage side effects that may impact bowel, urinary and sexual function.
This overview will cover the basic facts about prostate cancer, including:
If you believe you may be experiencing symptoms of prostate cancer and want to schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing, or if you’re interested in a second opinion on your prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment plan, call us or chat online with a member of our team.
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It surrounds the urethra and produces a substance that contributes to semen, the fluid that carries sperm from the testicles.
Prostate cancer occurs when gene changes, or mutations, cause cells in the prostate to behave abnormally, and they start growing uncontrollably. Mutations may be passed down from parent to child (inherited mutations) or occur for other reasons over a lifetime (acquired mutations). About 10 percent of prostate cancers are thought to be related to inherited mutations, according to the ACS.
Learn more about causes and risk factors for prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is rarely diagnosed in men younger than 40. Still, by age 50, it’s common for men to experience changes in the size and shape of the cells in the prostate. Understanding whether these changes are signs of a tumor and knowing your risk for developing prostate cancer are important steps in protecting your health.
Besides age, other risk factors for prostate cancer include:
"My experience was really positive because I sensed that everyone I interacted with truly cared about me. From the doctors, clinicians and nurses to the cafeteria workers, valet and custodial employees, I was treated with warmth and dignity. They knew I was as a patient, but they treated me like a family member. They wanted to see me get better; they wanted me to heal. "
In the early stages, prostate cancer usually doesn’t show symptoms. However, as prostate cancer grows, it may lead to:
Keep in mind that these symptoms may be caused by something other than prostate cancer. Patients who develop new or concerning symptoms should consult with their doctor or urologist.
Almost all prostate cancers—more than 99 percent—are adenocarcinomas.
This type of tumor is found in many common cancers, including breast cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancer. Prostate adenocarcinomas form in the glands that secrete prostate fluid.
Other prostate cancer types include:
Because symptoms are often absent in the early stages of prostate cancer, many cases are discovered through routine screening tests.
Getting screened for prostate cancer is an individual decision. It may help to discuss the risks and benefits with a doctor.
Screening for prostate cancer usually involves the following tests:
If either of these suggests the possibility of prostate cancer, doctors typically perform additional tests before making a diagnosis.
The only way to know for sure whether a tumor is cancerous is by examining cells under a microscope, a procedure also known as a prostate biopsy.
A diagnosis of prostate cancer usually includes the cancer’s stage, indicating how far it has (or hasn’t) spread within the body. The stage of the cancer plays an integral role in determining the most appropriate course of action.
Factors that affect the stage of prostate cancer include:
Deciding on prostate cancer treatment is a personal decision made between a patient and his care team. Factors such as preferences, age, health history and the cancer stage all play a role in the decision-making process.
Treatment may involve one or a combination of these options:
Other therapies that are used less commonly, or are not considered standard treatment for prostate cancer, include:
Because prostate cancer treatments largely yield positive outcomes, the treatment decision for many patients is less about choosing a life-saving option and more about protecting their quality of life after treatment. After a prostatectomy, a surgical procedure that removes the prostate, for example, some men experience urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction, while radiation treatment may impact the patient’s fertility.
That’s why each prostate cancer patient has access to personalized supportive care therapies as part of his treatment plan. Patients who experience sexual health challenges, for example, will have a sexual health specialist on their care team, helping them with strategies to improve their quality of life. Daily erectile dysfunction (ED) medications, such as sildenafil (Viagra®) or tadafil (Cialis®), may be prescribed to dilate blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the penis. Men who experienced erectile dysfunction prior to surgery, meanwhile, may benefit from a penile pump for getting or maintaining an erection.
The multidisciplinary care team of cancer experts will also work with patients to prevent or overcome urinary incontinence or loss of bowel function, helping them develop strategies like performing pelvic floor exercises to regain function or recommending products like absorbent pads to help with leakage.
At City of Hope, treating cancer is about more than treating the disease. It requires a holistic approach that treats the whole patient.
Supportive care therapies that may be recommended to help prostate patients stay strong and maintain their quality of life include:
