Prostate Cancer Overview

Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate gland grow uncontrollably. The prostate, found only in males, produces fluid that is part of semen and is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum, with the urethra running through its center. In younger men, the prostate is walnut-sized but often enlarges with age.

Most prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas, originating from gland cells that produce prostate fluid. Rare types include small cell carcinoma, other neuroendocrine tumors, transitional cell carcinoma, and sarcomas. While some prostate cancers spread rapidly, most grow slowly.

Certain pre-cancerous conditions may precede prostate cancer. Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) involves abnormal prostate cells that are not invasive. Low-grade PIN is considered harmless, whereas high-grade PIN may indicate a higher future cancer risk, though it often does not progress to cancer. Proliferative inflammatory atrophy (PIA) shows smaller-than-normal prostate cells with inflammation; its role in cancer development is unclear but may be linked to high-grade PIN.

Understanding these conditions helps guide early detection and monitoring strategies. Since most prostate cancers are slow-growing, identifying high-risk cases is key to effective management and treatment planning.

The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team. (n.d.). What is prostate cancer? American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/about/what-is-prostate-cancer.html