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Prostate cancer is malignant growth
of cells of the prostate
gland. The prostate gland is composed of tiny glands
and ducts, glandular tissue, and fibromuscular, non-glandular,
tissue. Usually prostate cancer originates as an uncontrolled
and abnormal growth in the glandular tissue of the prostate
gland. This type of growth is referred to as prostatic
adenocarcinoma. Most cases of prostatic adenocarcinoma
are usually slower growing than most other types of
cancer.
Cancerous cells of the prostate gland undergo cell division at a harmful rate. The result is many very small cells with possibly abnormal numbers of chromosomes. These cells also do not undergo apoptosis, sometimes called programmed cell death. The body initiates apoptosis to maintain the health of cells. The abnormal growth results in a malignant tumor, which can spread through the tissue of the prostate gland and metastasize into other tissues of the body.
Who will Become Prostate Cancer Patients?
The chances of developing prostate cancer increase with age. Prostate cancer is extremely rare in men who are under forty. Prostate cancer most commonly affects men who are older than 40. The higher the age of man, the higher his chance of developing prostate cancer.
Men who of African-American descent or who have a family history of prostate cancer or both are more likely to develop prostate cancer. African-American men and men who have younger relatives diagnosed with prostate cancer are also at risk for more aggressive forms of the disease.
Since many cases of prostatic adenocarcinoma do grow very slowly, many men die with prostate cancer, not from prostate cancer. Autopsies of men who died of natural causes, accidents, or other diseases sometimes reveal that they had prostate cancer of which neither they or their doctors were aware.
Unfortunately, there is no reliable way of predicting which cases of prostate cancer will grow quickly and which will not. An aggressive prostate cancer that is not treated will grow quickly and metastasize to the bones, lymph nodes, or other areas of the body.
Prostate Cancer Information for Adenocarcinoma and Sarcoma
Accounting for about 80% of prostate cancer cases, prostatic adenocarcinoma is the most common type of prostate cancer.
The word carcinoma refers to a malignant growth
that originates in the epithelial cells of the body.
Epithelial cells constitute a thin layer that covers
the external body or internal organs. The word adenocarcinoma
refers to a malignant growth that originates in epithelial
cells with glandular properties. Glandular cells absorb
or secrete fluid. Prostatic adenocarcinoma
refers to a malignant growth that originates in the
glandular tissue of the prostate gland. The glandular
tissue of the prostate gland is designed to secrete
chemicals that aid the sperm during their journey to
fertilization.
The peripheral
zone of the prostate gland contains
about two thirds of glandular tissue of the prostate
gland. Prostatic adenocarcinoma usually arises in the
peripheral zone. Because the peripheral zone is immediately
next to the rectum,
a tumor growth in this zone may be detected during the
digital rectal exam.
Prostatic sarcoma is an extremely rare type of prostate cancer and accounts for about 1% of all prostate cancer cases. Sarcoma refers to a malignant growth that originates in the bones, muscles, or connective tissues. Prostatic sarcoma is a malignant growth that originates in the non-glandular fibromuscular portions of the prostate cancer.
Patients who develop prostatic sarcoma
usually do not have a good prognosis; however, as medical
technique and technology continue to advance, prostate
cancer survival rates for prostatic sarcoma (and
adenocarcinoma) will continue to improve.
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