The prostate is an important part of a man's "urogenital" system, and proper functioning of the prostate is important to the bladder and normal sexual functions.
Where is the prostate?
The prostate gland is a solid organ found immediately below the bladder, and surrounds the "urethra" - which is the tube that connects the bladder to the penis through which a man urinates. The other important parts of the male urogenital system are the seminal vesicles and the testicles.
What does the prostate do?
The prostate has two functions: one is to help control urination and the other is to help sexual activity. The prostate plays a so-called passive role in the process of urination. It helps to control the rate at which the urine flows out of the bladder and into the urethra. The prostate also plays an active role in sexual activity. The prostate gland makes a whitish glanduar secrection which collects within the prostate and is fed into the urethra during ejaculation. The glandular secrection helps the motility of the sperm in the urethra and makes up about a third of the seminal fluid, thus giving seminal fluid its whitish apperance.
Detection of prostate cancer
The initial detection of signs that you may have prostate cancer is now most commonly the result of some regular form of check-up carried out by the primary care physician., which may include a digital rectal examination (DRE) or a prostate specifis antigen (PSA) test. Despite the fact that prostate cancer has no definitive set of symptoms, all of the following have been identified by the NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE as possible indicators of prostate cancer or other problems:
Since all these symptoms may be caused not only by prostate cancer, but by a nunber of other disorders, it is recommended that you talk to your family doctor.
Treatment Option
There are three generally accepted options for treatment of patients with localizes prostate cancer: radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, and surveillance (also called watchful waiting).
Radical prostatectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the entire prostate gland and nearby tissues. The procedure may be recommended for the treatment of patients with localized prostate cancers.
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