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