Counted amongst one of the most dangerous diseases today, prostate cancer is the cancerous growth consisting of the cells from the prostate gland in males. Most commonly, the tumor grows and remains confined to the gland only for years together. However, as the cancer advances to further stages, it can spread significantly beyond the prostate, affected the adjoining tissues. Additionally, in worst cases, the cancer can also spread to other areas of body and significantly impact the functioning of other important organs including lungs, liver and also bones.
Although the causes of prostate cancer are unknown, the risk factors include aging, heredity factors, hormonal influences, and to an extent also environmental factors such as exposure to toxins, chemicals, and industrial products. While age is a major factor, heredity factors too play a significant role in the risk of developing prostate cancer. While the time the tumor grows in the prostate gland, it rarely shows any symptoms upon physical examination as they are generally associated with the later stages of the cancer. However, in rare cases, the tumor might show a very rapid growth and result in a significant deterioration of the health of the affected individuals. Normally, a prostate cancer is first tested with a major abnormality on blood tests or as a hard lump in the prostate gland. In more advanced cases however, the cancerous tissues may enlarge and press on the urethra resulting in painful urination. As the tumor grows, it further blocks the flow of urine.
A significant measure of the gravity of the person's health is the Gleason score which is calculated by trained pathologists upon observing prostate biopsy specimens under the microscope at regular intervals. Considering the fact that the disease is the second most common cancer after lung cancer, going by the experts' advice, it is recommended to undergo the screening for prostate cancer to be on the safe side.
