Frequently Asked Questions About Prostate Cancer
- What is prostate cancer?
- What is the prostate?
- How big is the prostate?
- Where is the prostate located in the body?
- What exactly does the prostate do?
- Who is at risk for prostate cancer?
- What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
- How can I find out if I have prostate cancer?
- How do they test for prostate cancer?
- How is prostate cancer treated?
- What is a prostatectomy?
- What is da Vinci robotic surgery?
- What are the side effects of a prostatectomy?
- How can I reduce my risk for prostate cancer?
- Are some men more at risk for prostate cancer than others?
- What is the survival rate?
- What is cryotherapy?
- How many men are diagnosed each year in the U.S.?
- How much does a prostatectomy cost?
- How long does it take to recover from a prostatectomy?
- Is it normal to have blood in your urine after a prostatectomy?
- How can I tell the difference between prostate cancer and just an enlarged prostate?
- Will I become impotent after surgery?
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Q: What is prostate cancer?
A: Prostate Cancer is a disease in which cancer develops in the male reproductive gland.
A: Prostate Cancer is a disease in which cancer develops in the male reproductive gland.
Q: What is the prostate?
A: The prostate is a gland that is part of the male reproductive system.
A: The prostate is a gland that is part of the male reproductive system.
Q: How big is the prostate?
A: It is roughly the size of a large walnut.
A: It is roughly the size of a large walnut.
Q: Where is the prostate located in the body?
A: In front of the rectum and below the bladder.
A: In front of the rectum and below the bladder.
Q: What exactly does the prostate do?
A: It helps to produce semen and contributes to reproductive fluid flow.
A: It helps to produce semen and contributes to reproductive fluid flow.
Q: Who is at risk for prostate cancer?
A: Men of any age, but it is more common in men age 50 or older.
A: Men of any age, but it is more common in men age 50 or older.
Q: What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
A: Early stages usually produce no symptoms, but may include difficulty urinating, trouble maintaining a steady stream during urination, and starting and stopping while urinating. (For a complete list, click here.) Blood in your semen or urine and swelling in your legs are also common symptoms of more advanced stages.
A: Early stages usually produce no symptoms, but may include difficulty urinating, trouble maintaining a steady stream during urination, and starting and stopping while urinating. (For a complete list, click here.) Blood in your semen or urine and swelling in your legs are also common symptoms of more advanced stages.
Q: How can I find out if I have prostate cancer?
A: See your doctor to schedule a test as soon as possible!
A: See your doctor to schedule a test as soon as possible!
Q: How do they test for prostate cancer?
A: There are two common tests, the PSA and the DRE. Click here for more info.
A: There are two common tests, the PSA and the DRE. Click here for more info.
Q: How is prostate cancer treated?
A: It depends on the patient's unique situation. Treatment options can include a surgical prostatectomy, chemotherapy, specialized nutrition, and more.
A: It depends on the patient's unique situation. Treatment options can include a surgical prostatectomy, chemotherapy, specialized nutrition, and more.
Q: What is a prostatectomy?
A: A surgical process involving the complete or partial removal of the prostate gland.
A: A surgical process involving the complete or partial removal of the prostate gland.
Q: What is da Vinci robotic surgery?
A: The da Vinci robotic surgery method is an increasingly popular treatment option where the surgeon uses specialized robotic instruments outfitted with a 3D camera to perform the prostatectomy. Read more here.
A: The da Vinci robotic surgery method is an increasingly popular treatment option where the surgeon uses specialized robotic instruments outfitted with a 3D camera to perform the prostatectomy. Read more here.
Q: What are the side effects of a prostatectomy?
A: Infertility, incontinence, impotence, and pain. Read the main article on the side effects of a prostatectomy.
A: Infertility, incontinence, impotence, and pain. Read the main article on the side effects of a prostatectomy.
Q: How can I reduce my risk for prostate cancer?
A: Research has shown that getting regularly screened, eating cooked tomatoes (for the lycopene), drinking green tea, and having regular sex/ejaculating fairly frequently can help prevent prostate cancer.
A: Research has shown that getting regularly screened, eating cooked tomatoes (for the lycopene), drinking green tea, and having regular sex/ejaculating fairly frequently can help prevent prostate cancer.
Q: Are some men more at risk for prostate cancer than others?
A: Yes. Men over age 50, African-Americans, and men with a family history of prostate cancer are at increased risk.
A: Yes. Men over age 50, African-Americans, and men with a family history of prostate cancer are at increased risk.
Q: What is the survival rate?
A: This depends on when the cancer is detected. If the cancer is "local" or "regional", the 5 year survival rate is nearly 100%. The 10 year rate is 91% and the 15 year rate is 76%. Only 1 in 35 men diagnosed with prostate cancer will die from it. Read more.
A: This depends on when the cancer is detected. If the cancer is "local" or "regional", the 5 year survival rate is nearly 100%. The 10 year rate is 91% and the 15 year rate is 76%. Only 1 in 35 men diagnosed with prostate cancer will die from it. Read more.
Q: What is cryotherapy?
A: A treatment method involving destroying the prostate gland by freezing it. Read more.
A: A treatment method involving destroying the prostate gland by freezing it. Read more.
Q: How many men are diagnosed each year in the U.S.?
A: Approximately 180,000.
A: Approximately 180,000.
Q: How much does a prostatectomy cost?
A: This depends entirely on your health insurance and your geographic area.
A: This depends entirely on your health insurance and your geographic area.
Q: How long does it take to recover from a prostatectomy?
A: In most cases, you will be in the hospital between 2-5 days after your surgery and in rare cases longer. Read more.
A: In most cases, you will be in the hospital between 2-5 days after your surgery and in rare cases longer. Read more.
Q: Is it normal to have blood in your urine after a prostatectomy?
A: This is common during the recovery period, and your doctor should keep a close eye on it. If bleeding persists after you have been sent home you should contact your doctor immediately.
A: This is common during the recovery period, and your doctor should keep a close eye on it. If bleeding persists after you have been sent home you should contact your doctor immediately.
Q: How can I tell the difference between prostate cancer and just an enlarged prostate?
A: Only a qualified medical professional can tell the difference after conducting tests. Never self-diagnose. If you have an enlarged prostate, are at a higher risk or are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer, call your doctor immediately.
A: Only a qualified medical professional can tell the difference after conducting tests. Never self-diagnose. If you have an enlarged prostate, are at a higher risk or are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer, call your doctor immediately.
Q: Will I become impotent after surgery?
A: Surgeons do their best to spare the bundle of nerves surrounding the prostate, but many men will become impotent after their prostatectomy, depending largely on the type of procedure employed and the amount of cancer affecting neighboring tissue.
A: Surgeons do their best to spare the bundle of nerves surrounding the prostate, but many men will become impotent after their prostatectomy, depending largely on the type of procedure employed and the amount of cancer affecting neighboring tissue.