| Prostate cancer affects 1 in 6 American men. If | | | | accounts for five distinct patterns that prostate |
| prostate cancer is caught in its early stages, most | | | | tumor cells go through as they change from |
| men will not experience any symptoms. Some | | | | normal cells. This scale runs from 1 to 5, 1 |
| men, however, may experience symptoms that | | | | representing very nearly normal cells and 5 |
| might indicate the presence of prostate cancer | | | | representing cells that don't look much like |
| such as frequent urination, especially at night; | | | | prostate cells at all. Normal prostate cells are |
| difficulty in starting urine flow or holding it back; a | | | | constantly reproducing and dying and each new |
| weak or interrupted flow of urine, a painful or a | | | | cell has the same shape and appearance as all of |
| burning sensation; difficulty getting an erection; | | | | the other cells. But cancer cells look different and |
| blood in the urine or semen; painful ejaculations; or | | | | the degree to which they look different is what |
| a frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, | | | | will determine the cancer grade. |
| upper thighs, or hips. | | | | Each man should learn as much as possible about |
| These symptoms can also indicate the presence | | | | various treatment options and make his own |
| of other diseases or disorders and so, men who | | | | decision about what is best for him. This decision |
| experience any of these symptoms should | | | | will probably rest on a combination of psychological |
| undergo a thorough examination to determine the | | | | and clinical factors. The most important first step |
| cause. | | | | in deciding on the best treatment course will be in |
| DRE and PSA tests cannot diagnose prostate | | | | careful consideration of different treatment |
| cancer, but they can signal a need for a biopsy in | | | | options available. Any decision that is made now, |
| order to determine if there are prostate cancer | | | | especially in a case of localized prostate cancer, |
| cells. A biopsy consists of needles being inserted | | | | will reverberate for a long time to come. |
| into the prostate in order to take small samples | | | | You should consult all of the three types of |
| of the tissue, usually along with an ultrasound. A | | | | specialists: a urologist, a medical oncologist, and a |
| biopsy may cause some pain or discomfort, but it | | | | radiation oncologist. They will offer the most |
| is a short procedure and is usually performed on | | | | comprehensive advice on available treatments and |
| an outpatient basis. | | | | outcomes. |
| The Gleason Grading system, or Gleason Scores, | | | | |