How a Cell Becomes a Cancer

Cells are the building blocks of all tissue and organs in the human body. Each cell contains genetic material (DNA) and other elements. DNA controls the growth rate of cells.

Normal cells grow and multiply at a specific rate. Cells that grow and multiply without stopping are called cancerous or malignant. Cancerous cells are not detectable when they first start growing. At a certain point, the cancerous cells continue to multiply and form a mass that can be detected. Abnormal cell growth could go on for years before it is large enough to be detected.

What is Prostate Cancer?

Cancer that forms in tissues of the prostate (a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the rectum). Prostate cancer usually occurs in older men.

Estimated new cases and deaths from prostate cancer in the United States in 2008:

• New cases: 186,320
  
• Deaths: 28,660

(source: National Cancer Institute, Accessed June 2008)

Common Symptoms

If detected by a blood test, prostate cancer rarely has any significant symptoms. Most problems that occur with the prostate are due to benign processes such as infections or hypertrophy, unless the cancer is far advanced. However, some symptoms of prostate cancer may include:

• Difficulty starting the urine stream
  
• Inability to urinate
  
• Decreased strength of the urine stream
  
• Waking at night to urinate
  
• Frequent urination
  
• Painful or burning urination
  
• Feeling that the bladder is not completely empty
  
• Blood in urine

For resources about prostate cancer, please visit our Prostate Cancer Resource site.

Back to top