Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men according to American Cancer Society, which means that every sixth man may suffer from this type of cancer. Prostate cancer accounts for approximately 11% of deaths related to cancer in men. This statistics is quite scary and men should be aware of this terrible disease and they should have regular prostate check up once a year. In order to understand what is the prostate cancer, men should know is a prostate.
Prostate
Prostate is a gland located at the base of urinary bladder. The prostate gland is a part of male reproductive system and its primary function is to produce a liquid which is a part of seminal fluid that carries and protects the sperm. This liquid is known as prostate fluid and it nourishes sperm cells and leaves the urethra as ejaculate. Prostate can be most commonly affected by prostatitis, prostate enlargement or prostate cancer.
Prostatitis
Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate gland. Acute bacterial prostatitis is caused by bacteria and it responds well to antibacterial medications. Symptoms of the bacterial forms of prostatitis include severe pain in and around the base of penis, fever, chills, pain behind the scrotum, painful ejaculation, urgency, frequency, and difficulty to pass full amount of urine, painful passing urine and frequent urge to defecate.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis occurs when infection of the prostate develops more slowly and the symptoms are less severe comparing to acute bacterial prostatitis. These symptoms include frequent need to urinate, painful urination, lower back pain, testicular pain, difficulty to pass the urine and discomfort in the perineum.
Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis is a condition not caused by bacteria and it is frequent type of prostatitis. Symptoms of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis can be similar to chronic bacterial prostatitis but they usually appear and disappear suddenly.
Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis is a symptomless condition and it usually occurs from unknown reason. White blood cells are found In the urine which is the sign of inflammation but there is neither bacteria nor infection.
Prostate Enlargement
The prostate constantly grows during lifetime of men which usually causes problem later in life. The prostate enlargement is also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The symptoms include frequent and urgent need to urinate, difficulty passing urine and inability to empty the bladder completely. This condition has similar early symptoms as prostate cancer.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor within the prostate gland. This tumor usually grows slowly and doesn’t produce any symptoms. As the cancer advances signs and symptoms are similar to those of the prostate enlargement. There may be also symptoms such as pain in the hips, thighs and lower back as well traces of blood in the urine or sperm. This cancer can metastasize through bones, lung and liver. Because of the absence of symptoms, it is important to have regular screening.
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