Prostate Cancer is becoming increasingly common in men above 50 years age, and therefore men in this age group must remain very alert possible occurence of Prostate Cancer, and its diagnosis and treatment. It is the 4th most common cause of death from malignant diseases in males.
The Prostate is a glandular organ present only in males. It surrounds the neck of bladder and the first part of urethra and condributes a secretion to the semen. The gland is conical in shape and measures 3 cm in vertical diameter and 4 cm in transverse diameter. It has five lobes: anterior, posterior,two lateral and a median lobe. Since the first part of the male urethra passses through the prostate, any lesion in the prostate will produce difficulty in passing urine.
Diseases of the prostate gland:
1) Prostatitis: This is the inflamation of the prostate gland due to bacterial infection.
2) Benign enlargement of the prostate: This is a non cancerous tumour of the prostate seen after the age of 50.
3) Prostate Cancer: Cancer of the prostate is directly linked with the male sex hormones (androgens). If the levels of sex hormone increases the growth rate of cancer also increases. It is found that after the removel of testes there is marked reduction in the size of tumor. Continue reading