Prostate Cancer

Disclaimer:
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Content is sourced from third parties, and we do not guarantee accuracy or accept any liability for its use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical guidance.

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is a malignancy of the prostate gland, a walnut-sized organ producing seminal fluid. Most are adenocarcinomas (99%), graded by Gleason score (2-10). Stages range from I (localized) to IV (metastatic). In 2025, it’s the second most common male cancer, with ~288,000 US cases and 34,700 deaths, 1 in 8 men diagnosed lifetime, median age 66.

Symptoms

Early prostate cancer is asymptomatic. Advanced includes urinary frequency/urgency, weak stream, hematuria, erectile dysfunction, pelvic/back pain, and blood in semen. Metastatic causes bone pain, weight loss, fatigue, or leg swelling. Symptoms mimic BPH.

Causes

Causes involve genetic mutations (BRCA, HOXB13), with risk factors like age (over 50), family history (2-3x risk), African American ethnicity (higher incidence), obesity, and diet high in red meat/dairy. In 2025, inflammation and hormones are key.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis uses PSA blood test, digital rectal exam, MRI for targeted biopsy, and transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy for Gleason scoring. Molecular tests (e.g., Decipher) assess aggressiveness. In 2025, PSMA PET improves staging.

Treatment

Localized uses active surveillance (low-risk), prostatectomy, radiation (brachytherapy, EBRT), or focal therapy. Advanced uses ADT, chemotherapy (docetaxel), AR inhibitors (enzalutamide), and PARP inhibitors (olaparib for BRCA). In 2025, PSMA radioligands (Lu-PSMA-617) extend survival.

Future Outlook

In 2025, 5-year survival is 98% overall, 100% localized, 31% metastatic. Advances extend metastatic survival to 3-5 years. By 2030, AI and gene therapies could achieve 50% metastatic survival.

Sources

The information is based on Cleveland Clinic’s “Prostate Cancer: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment” for symptoms; Mayo Clinic’s “Prostate cancer – Symptoms and causes” for causes; Mayo Clinic’s “Prostate cancer – Diagnosis and treatment” for diagnosis; Urology Health’s “Prostate Cancer – Early-Stage: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment” for early-stage; MD Anderson’s “Prostate Cancer” for overview; NCBI’s “Prostate Cancer – StatPearls” for statistics; NCI’s “Prostate Cancer Treatment” for treatment; AMA’s “What doctors wish patients knew about prostate cancer” for insights; YouTube’s “Prostate Cancer – Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Explained” for explanation; American Cancer Society’s “Prostate Cancer Information and Overview” for overview.