How Your Prostate Functions

All men have the organ known as the prostate gland. This muscular organ is compared, size-wise to that of the average walnut. The prostate is located right in front of the rectum, just below the man's bladder. A normal prostate gland measures at less than two inches long and they tend to weight approximately one ounce. The prostate gland is located around the urethra, the organ that is known for the transportation of urine and sexual fluids through the penis to exit the body.

The prostate is made up of a large number of very small glands. These glands are protected by the prostatic capsule, a very fibrous tissue. Around the prostatic capsule is a thick layer of fat offering more protection. The prostate gland is made of two lobes - one on the right and one on the left. The apex of the prostate gland is located further away from the bladder while the base is located just under the bladder. The back of the prostate gland is called the posterior and the front of the prostate gland is the anterior.

There are five zones associated with the prostate. The peripheral zone is deemed the largest zone. It contains an estimated 75 percent of all prostate glands. It is also the location most likely to be affected by prostate cancer, where chronic prostatitis will most likely occur, and where a large number of needle biopsies take place. The transition zone is the most likely scene of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The anterior zone is one-third of the entire prostate and made up of smooth muscle. Lastly, the central zone is where the remaining 25 percent of the prostate glands are. To prevent the semen from heading backwards into the bladder, there is the preprostatic tissue.

One of the most common cancers that men face all over the world is prostate cancer. There is no one cause of prostate cancer but there are factors that elevate a man's risk of contracting it. Men who are older than 65 and men that come from a family with a history of prostate cancer are more susceptible. Common signs of prostate cancer include the need to urinate often, inability to urinate, difficulty in either stopping and/or starting urine flow, a feeling of not emptying the bladder, burning sensation while urinating and painful ejaculation. This is because the prostate becomes enlarged. There are numerous types of prostate cancer treatments available, some more invasive than others.

The prostate's main function is the production of a large portion of the fluid known as semen. The semen is what carries sperm when it exits the penis. When the sperm is produced inside the testicles, it travels up to the prostate via the vas deferens. The sperm is added into the semen in the prostate. Once orgasm is reached, the semen is pushed from the prostate to the urethra by the ejaculatory ducts. The urethra leads all the way to the tip of the penis when the semen then exits.

Urination may also be affected by the prostate. Many individuals are aware of the fact that the kidneys are the responsible organ in terms of creating urine. When the urine exits from the kidneys and into the ureters, it empties into the bladder. When the bladder reaches capacity, the urine is sent through the urethra and out of the penis. Because the prostate rests right at the bottom of the bladder, it encircles around the urethra at the precise location where the urethra connects to the man's bladder. When the prostate expands, either because of prostate growth or prostate cancer, the prostate becomes a tight ring around the urethra. It then restricts the ability of the urine to leave the bladder and enter into the urethra.

Dr. Anshu Guleria and his staff at the Virginia Prostate Cancer Center have considerable experience in minimally invasive treatments for prostate cancer. They will take the time to sit down with you to see if HIFU is the right prostate cancer treatment for you. When HIFU became available in North America, Dr. Guleria studied the reports of its use in Europe and decided that HIFU is going to be the next evolution in localized prostate cancer therapy. Dr. Guleria is the most experienced doctor practicing HIFU for Prostate Cancer in Virginia and he looks forward to helping you decide what is the best prostate cancer treatment option for you.

For more information, please go to http://www.virginiaprostatecancer.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Anshu_Guleria
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Your-Prostate-Functions&id=6509655

Knowing More About Prostate Cancer and Its Effects

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in American men. In 2009, over 206,000 men in the United States were diagnosed with the disease. The cancer begins in a man's prostate, a gland that creates seminal fluid and transports sperm. Some types of the disease grow slowly and do not require treatment, but other more aggressive types spread quickly.

The medical community does not know exactly what causes prostate cancer, but the disease begins when cells in the gland become abnormal. The abnormal cells contain mutated DNA that causes them to divide and grow faster than normal cells. These abnormal cells outlive normal cells, forming a tumor as they accumulate.

Doctors have identified some risk factors for developing the cancer. Older men are more likely to develop the disease, and it is most common in men over the age of 65. African American men are also more likely to have the cancer, and it is typically more aggressive in this demographic than among men of other races. The risk of developing the disease is also greater for men who have a family history of prostate cancer and those who are obese.

In its early stages, the cancer often does not cause signs or symptoms. More advanced stages of the cancer may cause blood in the urine, bone pain, trouble urinating, discomfort in the pelvic area, decreased streaming of urine, swelling in the legs or blood in the semen.

Some medical organizations recommend regular prostate screenings for men in their 40s. These screening tests may include digital rectal exams or prostate-specific antigen tests. These tests may help identify the cancer in its earliest stages. If the screening tests lead to abnormal results, a doctor may recommend an ultrasound or prostate biopsy to confirm the presence of cancer.

Doctors grade the cancer using tests like ultrasounds, CT, MRI or bone scans. During stage I, the cancer is confined to a very small part of the prostate gland, and the cancer cells are not labeled aggressive. During stage II, the cancer has grown to involve both sides of the gland, or the cancer cells are considered aggressive. Stage III is diagnosed when the cancer has spread beyond the gland to nearby tissues. During stage IV, the cancer has invaded other parts of the body, like the bladder, lungs or bones.

The treatment plan prescribed for this type of cancer varies depending on the patient's overall health, the cancer's stage and other factors. Treatment may include radiation therapy, hormone therapy, cryotherapy, surgery or chemotherapy.

The Prostate Cancer Research Institute is a charitable institution that is intended to improve the quality of men's lives by supporting the research and disseminating information symptoms for prostate cancer. It also helps to create awareness and empowers patients, families and the medical community.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harry_Kwon
http://EzineArticles.com/?Knowing-More-About-Prostate-Cancer-and-Its-Effects&id=7518922