Prostate Cancer/Surgery - Patient Handbook

What Is the Prostate Gland?

The prostate gland is located just below the bladder and above the rectum and is about the size of a walnut. Only men have this gland, which makes a milky fluid to aid in sperm ejaculation. The prostate surrounds the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder through the penis. The prostate gland starts to grow around age 40 in most men but we do not know why this occurs (it may be because of the hormonal changes involved in aging). Normal functioning of the prostate gland depends on the production of testosterone by the testicles. Prostate enlargement may cause changes in passing urine.

What Is Prostate Cancer?

Cancer is abnormal cell growth that can occur in any part of the body. Normal, healthy cells grow, divide and replace themselves to maintain the natural order of living. Prostate cancer usually starts in the outer part of the gland that makes it possible for the doctor to feel during a rectal examination.

Prostate cells produce a protein called prostate-specific antigen or PSA. When cancer develops, PSA may leak into your blood and allow diagnosis of prostate cancer before a lump can be felt. The PSA blood test has allowed most prostate cancers to be found before they cause symptoms and before there is any spread.

Prostate cancer is one of the few cancers that commonly spreads to the weight-supporting bones (back, hips, thighs).

This Patient Information section is meant to provide you with a guide to the patient who has been diagnosed with this type of cancer and is undergoing radical prostatecomy (see other sections of the Prostate Cancer web pages for other treatment options).  Please use the links at the right, and those above this text.

Additional information about the treatment of prostate cancer is also available at www.bnpcc.org.