Since cancer is a disease brought on by cell abnormality and since the entire body is constituted of cells it means that cancer can develop in practically any part of the body. There are therefore numerous types of cancers depending on where the original abnormality originally develops. Among the most noted cancers are prostate, kidney, leukemia, breast, colorectal, ovarian, pancreatic, lymphoma, bladder, uterine, stomach, cervical, lung and skin cancers. The prostate is a sex gland that is found only in men. It is located just below the bladder. A healthy prostate is usually about the size of a walnut.
The prostrate also surrounds the neck of the bladder and the urethra which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body via the penis. If the prostate enlarges too much, it puts pressure on the urethra. This may slow or stop the flow of urine from the bladder to the penis. The prostate is also located in front of the rectum, the lower part of the intestine, where solid waste matter is stored. The prostate is made up partially of muscles. It is also made up of glandular tissue and muscle fibers that surround a portion of the urethra.
The gland is covered by a membrane known as the prostate capsule and this produces prostate-specific antigen. The prostate also has three lobes, a center lobe and two side lobes. Near to the prostate are collections of lymph nodes. These are small glands, about the size of a bean. The glands in the prostate secrete a thick, white, slightly alkaline fluid which forms part of the fluid that carries sperm. This liquid is referred to as the seminal fluid. During ejaculation, seminal fluid helps carry sperm out of the man’s body as part of semen. The principal function of the prostate is in the production of this fluid.
The prostate also produces a protein called prostate-specific antigen (PSA) that turns the semen into liquid. The prostate is affected by male sex hormones. Hormones are substances that control functions of the body. The most important male hormone is testosterone which is produced by the testicles. Male hormones (androgens) make the prostate grow. The testicles are the main source of male hormones, including testosterone. The adrenal gland also makes testosterone, but in small amounts. The growth of prostate cells and the way the prostate gland works is dependent on testosterone, which is produced in the testicles.