Prostate Cancer Information & Resources
Evidence-based information on symptoms, treatment options, latest research, and finding the right specialists
Men will develop prostate cancer
5-year survival for localized disease
New cases annually in the US
Deaths per year in the US
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men (excluding skin cancer) in the United States. It develops in the prostate gland, a walnut-sized gland that produces seminal fluid. Most prostate cancers grow slowly, though some can be aggressive.
Early-stage prostate cancer often has no symptoms and is detected through PSA screening. Treatment decisions depend on cancer aggressiveness (Gleason score), stage, PSA levels, and patient age and health.
Common Symptoms
Note: Many urinary symptoms are caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), not cancer. Regular screening with PSA tests is important for early detection.
Risk Factors
Age (risk increases after 50)
Family history of prostate or breast cancer
African American ethnicity (higher risk)
BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations
Lynch syndrome
Obesity
Diet high in red meat and dairy
Treatment Options
- •For low-risk, slow-growing cancers
- •Regular PSA testing and biopsies
- •Avoids treatment side effects
- •Radical prostatectomy
- •Robotic-assisted surgery
- •Lymph node removal
- •External beam radiation
- •Brachytherapy (seed implants)
- •Proton therapy
- •Androgen deprivation therapy
- •LHRH agonists/antagonists
- •Anti-androgens
- •Docetaxel
- •Cabazitaxel
- •For metastatic disease
- •PARP inhibitors (BRCA mutations)
- •Pluvicto (radioligand therapy)
- •Provenge (immunotherapy)
Important Biomarkers
PSA Level
Screening and monitoring tool (though not always indicative of cancer)
Gleason Score
Grades cancer aggressiveness (6-10 scale)
BRCA1/BRCA2 Mutations
Hereditary risk, PARP inhibitor eligibility
DNA Mismatch Repair
Predicts immunotherapy response
PSMA Expression
Target for radioligand therapy (Pluvicto)
Latest Research & Breakthroughs
- PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy (Pluvicto) for advanced prostate cancer
- PARP inhibitors showing promise in BRCA-mutated prostate cancer
- MRI-guided biopsies improving detection accuracy
- Combination hormone therapy + chemotherapy for metastatic disease
- AI-assisted imaging for better diagnosis and treatment planning
