Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is cancer of the small walnut-shaped gland in males that produces seminal fluid, the fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Prostate cancer usually grows slowly and initially remains confined to the prostate gland, where it may not cause serious harm. If prostate cancer is detected early — when it's still confined to the prostate gland — you have a better chance of successful treatment.

About the Prostate

Executive summary by prostate cancer foundation

Understanding what happens when prostate cancer begins to grow also helps explain how each of the different treatment options for prostate cancer is utilized.

Normal Physiology and Treatment-Related Changes
Despite the best efforts of physicians, treatment strategies for prostate cancer can disrupt normal urinary, bowel, and sexual functioning.

Under normal circumstances, the urinary sphincters, bands of muscle tissue at the base of the bladder and at the base of the prostate, remain tightly shut, thereby preventing urine that is stored in the bladder from leaking out. During prostatectomy, after the prostate is removed, the bladder is pulled downward and is connected to the urethra at the point where the prostate had sat. If the sphincter at the base of the bladder is damaged during this process, or if it is damaged during radiation therapy, some measure of urinary incontinence or leakage will occur.

The loss of the prostate and the seminal vesicles renders men infertile.