Get answers to your Prostate Cancer questions. The prostate is a
gland in the male reproductive system located just below the
bladder (the organ that collects and empties urine) and in front
of the rectum (the lower part of the intestine). It is about the
size of a walnut and surrounds part of the urethra (the tube
that empties urine from the bladder). The prostate gland
produces fluid that makes up part of semen. As men age, the
prostate may get bigger. A bigger prostate may block the flow of
urine from the bladder and cause problems with sexual function.
This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and
although it is not cancer, surgery may be needed to correct it.
The symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia or of other
problems in the prostate may be similar to symptoms of prostate
cancer. See the following PDQ summaries for more information
about prostate cancer: Prostate cancer is found mainly in older
men. Although the number of men with prostate cancer is large,
most men diagnosed with