Quick facts about prostate cancer
For the majority of men, prostate cancer develops slowly and may not cause any problems for many years.
Prostate cancer is the third most common cancer among men in Singapore.¹
Increased incidence rate of prostate cancer occurs for men who are 75 years old and above.
What is prostate cancer?
The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland within the male reproductive system that is involved in the production of semen. Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells in the prostate gland grow uncontrollably and become malignant.1 The early stages of prostate cancer refers to cancer cells that have not spread beyond the prostate.
Types of prostate cancer
Almost all prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas – cancers that develop from the gland cells (the cells that make fluid within the prostate).
Other rare types of cancer that can begin in the prostate include
small cell carcinomas,
neuroendocrine tumours (other than small cell carcinomas),
transitional cell carcinomas, and
sarcomas.
Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer
As signs and symptoms for prostate cancer can be similar to other common conditions, it’s important to see your GP or healthcare professional if you experience any of the symptoms below. Discussing anything concerning as soon as possible can help give you peace of mind and offer the best chance of successful treatment if you receive a prostate cancer diagnosis.
In the early stages of prostate cancer you may not experience symptoms, but as the disease progresses you may experience some or all of the following:
Frequent need to urinate
Difficulty starting or stopping urination
Sudden urge to urinate
Reduced flow of urine
Blood in urine or semen
Lower back pain or pain in the hip area
Unexplained weight-loss
Fatigue
Stages of prostate cancer
The TNM system is used to stage prostate cancer and define what your cancer looks like. The TNM stands for:
Tumour – The degree to which the tumour has affected other tissue
Node – Is a measure of whether lymph nodes have been affected
Metastasis – The degree to which the cancer has spread to other organs of the body
Along with the TNM information, your doctor will also take into consideration your PSA (prostate specific antigen) level from a blood test, as well as your Gleason score to help determine the stage of your cancer. The Gleason score is usually based on the results of a biopsy of the prostate, and it provides an indication of how quickly the cancer will grow and spread.
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Stage I
The tumour is present in half or less than half of the prostate, and has not spread.
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Stage IIA
The tumour may be present in more than half of the prostate, and has not spread.
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Stage IIB
The tumour has not spread outside of the prostate.
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Stage III
The tumour has spread beyond the outer layer of the prostate, but not to lymph nodes.
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Stage IV
The tumour has spread to nearby tissues, lymph nodes or other organs of the body.
Treatment for prostate cancer
There are many different types of treatment for prostate cancer. Your treatment will depend on you and your cancer.
Frequently asked questions
Helpful links
References
More information
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