The Urologic Oncology Center Team Provides Patients with Superior Prostate Care
Prostate cancer is the most common nonskin cancer in the United States, striking one in six men every year. According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, more than 192,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year.
While the numbers may seem overwhelming, the Urologic Oncology Center provides patients and families with a clearer perspective. Our expert team of health care professionals concentrates all of its energy and resources on making the prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery process as seamless and comfortable as possible.
University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center continually proves that delivering the best prostate care is among our top priorities by treating and caring for thousands of patients and families affected by the disease each year.
What is the Prostate?
The prostate is a small, spongy walnut-shaped gland in males that is located under the bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate has two important functions: to help control urination and to assist with sexual activity. The tube that carries urine (the urethra) runs through the prostate. The prostate contains cells that make some of the fluid (semen) that protects the sperm.
What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer develops when cells within the prostate grow uncontrollably, creating small tumors. There are several types of cells in the prostate, but nearly all prostate cancers start in the gland cells. Cancer that affects glandular tissue is known as adenocarcinoma.
Prostate Cancer Symptoms
For most men, prostate cancer is initially detected during a routine screening such as a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test or a digital rectal exam (DRE). Most men with prostate cancer experience no symptoms. Others may notice one or more of the following:
- Trouble urinating, due to a tumor pressing on the bladder or the urethra
- Starting and stopping while urinating
- Decreased force in the stream of urine
- Pain or aching in the bones
- Painful ejaculation or trouble having an erection
Some of these symptoms could also be associated with a common, noncancerous condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is an enlargement of the prostate gland.