A Part of the University of Maryland Medical Center

• Genitourinary Oncology

• Patient Care
• Diagnostic and Treatment Services
• Physicians and Staff
• Prostate Health Glossary
• Trilogy Radiation Therapy
• Robotic Prostatectomy
• Prostate Seed Implants
• Patient Education...
• 
    Related Resources
• Clinical Trials
• Information for Patients
• The Maryland Prostate Center

• Bladder and Other Urothelial Cancers Screening
• Bladder Cancer Treatment
• Childhood Extracranial Germ Cell Tumors Treatment
• Extragonadal Germ Cell Tumors Treatment
• Penile Cancer Treatment
• Prostate Cancer Prevention
• Prostate Cancer Screening
• Prostate Cancer Treatment
• Renal Cell Cancer Treatment
• Testicular Cancer Screening
• Testicular Cancer Treatment
• Transitional Cell Cancer (Kidney/Ureter) Treatment
• Urethral Cancer Treatment
• Wilms Tumor and Other Childhood Kidney Tumors Treatment

Genitourinary Oncology Program

Patient and Family Education

Prostate Cancer

What Is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells develop in the prostate, one of the male sex glands. Cancer of the prostate is one of the most commonly occurring cancers in men in the United States. Although the cause of the disease is not known, we do know that the growth of cancer cells (like normal cells) is stimulated by male hormones, particularly testosterone.

The prostate is about the size of a walnut and is located just below the bladder. It functions as part of the male reproductive system by secreting a slightly alkaline fluid that forms part of the seminal fluid.

The gland is made of:

1. three lobes that surround the upper part of the urethra
2. the tube that carries urine
3. semen from the other sex glands (the testicles and seminal vesicles)

This page was last updated on: December 18, 2012.

Please rate the quality of this article. Do you find this article to be helpful / informative?                Poor                                       Excellent Do you have any brief comments on this page: (up to 255 characters) Note: If you have a question, please contact Ask the Expert.

Email this Page                                                                     Print this Page