About Prostate Cancer
What is Prostate Cancer?
The prostate gland and nearby organs (bladder, rectum, etc.) are shown. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland below the bladder and in front of the rectum, part of the male reproductive system. It surrounds the urethra (the tube carrying urine out of the bladder) and produces fluid for semen. Prostate cancer is a disease where cells in the prostate grow uncontrollably, forming a malignant tumor. Most prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas, which develop from the gland cells. Because the prostate is close to the bladder and rectum, a growing tumor can affect urinary or bowel function. Importantly, many prostate cancers grow slowly and may not cause immediate health problems.
How Common Is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. In the United States, it is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men (besides skin cancer). The American Cancer Society estimates about 313,780 new cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2025. About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. It is also the second leading cause of cancer death in American men (behind lung cancer), with roughly 35,770 deaths estimated in 2025. However, most men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die from it. In fact, only about 1 in 44 men will die of this disease, and over 3.5 million men in the U.S. who have been diagnosed at some point are still alive today. This reflects the generally favorable prognosis, especially when prostate cancer is caught early.
