Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men, following skin cancer. It’s also the second leading cause of death from cancer in men.

As the name implies, prostate cancer begins in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system that’s situated below the bladder, where it extends all the way around the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out through the penis.

Oftentimes, prostate cancer grows slowly and stays within the gland itself, where it’s less likely to cause serious harm. In some cases, however, prostate cancer grows aggressively and may even spread to nearby organs or the lymphatic system. 

Although men can develop prostate cancer at any age, it’s rarely seen in men younger than 40, and it’s most common in men older than 65. That means that age is the biggest risk factor for prostate cancer — the older you get, the greater your chances for developing the disease.

Other known risk factors for prostate cancer include:

Ethnicity

Although researchers don’t yet know why, black men are more likely to get prostate cancer than men of other races. Black men are also more likely to experience a more aggressive form of the disease.

Family History

You’re more likely to develop prostate cancer if a close male relative has had the disease. Your risk also increases if there’s a strong history of breast cancer — among the women or men — in your family, or if anyone in your family has been diagnosed with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation.

In its early, most treatable stage, prostate cancer usually has no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they’re often similar to those caused by an enlarged prostate or a benign growth. Common signs and symptoms of prostate cancer include:

• Frequent urination or trouble urinating
• Painful, burning sensation during urination
• Blood in your urine
• Painful ejaculation
• Dull, aching pain in your lower pelvic region
• Pain in your lower back or hips
• Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss

If you have any of these symptoms, make an appointment with Dr. Yamada.

There is a wide range of treatment options for patients with prostate cancer. Your individual treatment plan depends on the stage of the cancer, how fast it appears to be growing, and whether or not it has spread.

If you’ve been diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer, you may only require active surveillance, otherwise known as watchful waiting.

Other treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. Depending on your case, you may have a combination of treatments.

Click here to learn more about treatment options like GreenLight™ Laser Therapy.

Treatment Options

• Minimally invasive surgery