The exact cause is unknown. It may run in some families or may be related to diet. It may arise due to an imbalance of certain body chemicals or growth factors that control the growth and division of cells in the prostate gland. It develops in the outer part of the gland as distinct from Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia which develops in the centre of the gland. Therefore, it is possible to get prostatic cancer even after one has had a prostatectomy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
Prostate cancer is an abnormal, uncontrolled growth of cells that results in the formation of a tumor in the prostate gland. Prostate, the walnut sized gland, is a part of the reproductive system which lies deep in the pelvis. It is located in front of the rectum and underneath the urinary bladder and surrounds the urethra, (the urine tube running from the bladder, through the prostate and the penis). It contains gland cells that produce some of the seminal fluid, which protects and nourishes sperm cells in semen and supports the ejaculatory ducts, or sperm tubes. The prostate continues to grow till a man reaches adulthood and is maintained after it reaches normal size as long as male hormones are produced. Prostate cancer begins most often in the outer part of the prostate. It is the most common cancer in men older than age 50. In most men, the cancer grows very slowly. In fact, many men with the disease will never know they have the condition. Early prostate cancer is confined to the prostate gland itself, and the majority of patients with this type of cancer can live for years with no problems. In some cases, it may spread from the prostate to nearby lymph nodes, bones or other organs. This spread is called metastasis. Most Prostate cancers originate in the posterior prostate gland, the rest originate near the urethra.

The doctor will usually be able to feel the large prostate gland with a finger inserted into the rectum. The prostate will feel nodular and hard, unlike the smooth enlargement in BPH. Blood tests may show a raised value of prostate-specific antigen . X-rays, ultrasound scan, CT, MRI or bone scans may be done to determine the spread of the disease.The diagnosis needs to be confirmed by taking a piece of the prostate gland for examination. This is usually done by inserting a biopsy needle into the rectum and guiding it into the prostate gland. There may be some pain during this procedure and the patient may pass a small quantity of blood in the urine, semen or stools afterwards.

If the disease is localized to the prostate gland, the entire prostate can be removed surgically.This is a major operation performed under general anaesthesia and the recovery period is prolonged. Blood transfusions are required and in some cases there may be loss of control over urination or even impotence.The other form of treatment is radiotherapy, in which deep penetrating X-rays are used to burn the cancer cells of the prostate. This treatment is given over several weeks and may be associated with side effects like pain, diarrhoea, bleeding from the rectum or in the urine, lower abdominal discomfort and, rarely, impotence.If the disease is advanced or comes back after initial treatment then hormonal control of the disease is attempted. The aim is to deprive the tumour cells of the male sex hormone, testosterone. This is achieved by using medicines like goserelin or by removing both the testes of the patient .