Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death for men in the United States. It is estimated that there will be 218,890 new cases in 2007. It is expected that roughly 27,000 men will die from it in the US this year as well. Early diagnosis and treatment are the best defenses against prostate cancer. The Mount Sinai Medical Center can offer you the most advanced and compassionate inpatient and outpatient care for prostate cancer.

The function of the prostate
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located behind the base of the penis, below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Surrounding the urethra, the prostate is the tube-like channel that carries urine and semen through the penis. Its primary function is the production of seminal fluid, the liquid in semen that protects, supports, and helps transport sperm.

What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is a disease in which cancer cells grow uncontrollably in the prostate gland.

Diagnosis
The prognosis and treatment options for prostate cancer are contingent on the following factors.

• The stage of the cancer, whether it affects only part of the prostate, the whole prostate, or has spread to other areas of the body 
• The patient's overall state-of-health and age
• Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or whether it is a reoccurrence

A variety of tests exist for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. A brief description of each is given below.

• PSA TEST
  PSA is an enzyme produced by the prostate cells. A patient's PSA levels can be used to tell if he has prostate-related diseases, such as prostate cancer, using a simple blood test.
• Digital Rectal Exam
  A digital rectal exam is an examination done by a health professional by inserting a lubricated, gloved finger into the patient's rectum to examine the prostate for any abnormalities or growths.
• MRI Scan
  A MRI scan uses a large magnet, radio waves and a computer to produce interior images of the human body. A MRI scan is often used to examine the prostate and nearby lymph nodes to distinguish between benign areas and malignant ones.
• Ultrasound
  Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves that bounce off organs and body structures  to produce a computerized image. Ultrasound is usually used by passing a sensor over the surface of the body. The type of Ultrasound that is used to examine the prostate is called transrectal ultrasonography. This exam is done by having a tube inserted into the rectum. This tube carries the sound waves to the nearby prostate, producing a better image.
• CT Scan
  A sophisticated x-ray method that uses a computer and rotating x-ray beams to render images of soft tissue, bone, and blood vessels, a CT Scan can exam areas of dense tissue, such as tumors, far better than a one-dimensional X-ray exam.
• Biopsy
  A biopsy is a highly accurate technique to determine if prostate cancer is present. In it a small sample of tissue is taken through a fine needle. This is examined under a microscope to determine if cells are malignant (cancerous).