Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer is cancer that starts in the prostate, which is a small walnut-shaped gland in the male reproductive system. Cancer begins when cells fail to die on a regular schedule and create a tumor. Only men can develop prostate cancer because only men have a prostate gland.

Prostate cancer usually grows slowly and stays in the prostate. In fact, many men with prostate cancer die of other causes, sometimes without knowing that they had the disease. While some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may need no treatment or minimal treatment, other types are considered aggressive and can spread quickly. If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, it is important to know the stage and Gleason Score of your cancer. Stage refers to the location of the prostate cancer and the Gleason Score, or grade, refers to the aggressiveness of the cancer.

Staging

Staging Prostate Cancer determines if and how far the prostate cancer has spread beyond the prostate.

Grading

The Gleason scoring system is used to grade prostate cancer and is a good indicator of the aggressiveness of the disease. Scores go from 2 to 10. The higher the number the more abnormal the prostate tissue is compared to normal tissue. The two numbers are then added to get a score. Higher Gleason Scores mean the cancer is more likely to spread.

A Pussycat or a Tiger?

Treatment options vary depending on prostate cancer stage and grade. Before making a treatment decision:

• Consider a second opinion
• Make sure to include a visit to an oncologist to know all of your options
• Find out if genomic testing was done to learn how aggressive your cancer is and how likely it is to recur
• Ask your doctor: Is my prostate cancer a pussycat or a tiger?

If your prostate cancer is a pussycat that means that there is a very low risk of the disease spreading beyond your prostate anytime soon. If your prostate cancer is a tiger that means there is a very high risk of the disease being aggressive and spreading beyond your prostate.

In addition, researchers have developed the Circulating Tumor Cell Test to help distinguish advanced disease. Circulating Tumors Cells or CTCs circulate in the blood stream after breaking off from the primary tumor. CTCs can take root in other parts of the body and form additional tumors (metastasis). The test helps detect any measurable CTC circulation and help determine advanced disease.

Remember, the more information you and your doctor have about your actual cancer, the better armed you are to fight the disease with the right tools