Prostate Cancer Types

Types of prostate cancer

Animation: Prostatic cancer

Prostate cancer develops as small nodules or bumps on the surface of the prostate which can be detected during rectal examination.

Watch the animation Prostate Cancer.

Adenocarcinoma of the prostate

An adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that arises in the cells of glands. Most cells in the prostate gland are of the glandular type, which means that adenocarcinoma is the most common type of cancer to occur in the prostate. Adenocarcinoma of the prostate is malignant, however many types grow extremely slowly, and so are unlikely to spread before a man dies of other causes.

For more information, see Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the prostate

Cancer arising from the neuroendocrine cells of the prostate is nown as neuroendocrine carcinoma of the prostate. This is a rare form of prostate cancer, and primary neuroendocrine carcinoma accounts for less than 5% of prostate cancers.

For more information, see Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Prostate.

Related prostate conditions

Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia)

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a condition in which benign (non-cancerous) nodules cause an enlargement of the prostate gland. Prostate enlargment is a slowly progressive condition that usually occurs over the age of 50 years, and increases in prevalence with age. The condition does not predispose the man or his immediate family to any increased risk of prostate cancer.

For more information, see Enlarged Prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia).

Video: Benign prostatic hyperplasia

Dr Celi Varol provides an overview of benign prostatic hyperplasia and outlines the treatment options available for the condition.

Watch the video Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN)

Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) are changes in the cells of the prostate gland that may lead to the development of prostate cancer.

For more information, see Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia (PIN).

More information

For more information on prostate cancer, including diagnoses, types of treatments, and some useful tools, videos and animations, see Prostate Cancer.