Prostate cancer is a disease in which cancer develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. It occurs when cells of the prostate mutate and begin to multiply out of control. These cells may spread (metastasize) from the prostate to other parts of the body, especially the bones and lymph nodes. Prostate cancer may cause pain, difficulty in urinating, problems during sexual intercourse, erectile dysfunction and other symptoms.

However those symptoms are present only in an advanced stage of the disease. Prostate cancer is especially common in older men: A third of men over 50 have microscopic signs of prostate cancer, and at 75 more than half of men will have some cancerous cells in their prostate.

Most prostate cancer (95 percent) is of the type called adenocarcinoma, which begins in the cells lining the ducts and tubes of the prostate gland. The causes of prostate cancer are not known but are presumed to be linked to hereditary factors and hormonal changes in men as they age. However, a number of clear risk factors have been identified.

Prostate cancer treatment ranges from minimally-invasive (such as brachytherapy or cryotherapy) to major surgery (radical prostatectomy.) The best prostate cancer treatment depends upon a man’s age and general health, the stage of his prostate cancer, its location, and his personal decision.

The more you know about prostate cancer treatment options, the better prepared you will be to work with your doctor to choose the best prostate cancer treatment for you.