For the average man, the walnut-size prostate gland is something he rarely thinks about, but for those who develop prostate tumors, the gland can turn deadly, and with little warning.
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Definition
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A prostate tumor is a growth in the prostate gland that occurs when the body either creates new cells when they are not needed or when damaged cells do not die as they should. The buildup of extra cells creates a mass, or tumor, which may or may not contain cancerous cells.
Types
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Prostate tumors can be benign, as in the case of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or malignant, as in the case of prostate cancer.
Symptoms
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Prostate tumors may not cause symptoms until they are quite large. Symptoms, when they do occur, include urinary problems, erectile dysfunction, blood in the semen or urine, and lower back, hip or thigh pain.
Treatments
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Both prostate cancer and BPH are treated by destroying or removing all or part of the prostate gland. Common modern treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, microwave therapy, HIFU and cryotherapy. BPH can be treated with medication as well.
Risk
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All treatments for prostate tumors carry the risk of impotence and incontinence, although modern treatments are lowering these risks significantly.
Alternatives
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Since prostate cancer confined to the prostate gland is not harmful and many cancers grow slowly, an alternative to treating prostate cancer is doing nothing, or watchful waiting, until the cancer shows signs of spreading. BPH that is not interfering with a patient's quality of life does not require treatment.
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