A prostate tumor is an abnormal cell growth discovered on or in the prostate. While many assume that the presence of a tumor in the male reproductive system indicates the presence of prostate cancer, that is not always the case. However, physicians tend to take the presence of a prostate tumor seriously, and often order a biopsy so that the current status of the growth can be determined and treated accordingly.
There are actually three basic types of tumors of the prostate. A benign tumor is a mass that is self-contained. That is, the tumor does not appear to be consuming surrounding tissue and has not begun to spread to other parts of the body. This is the least dangerous of any type of prostate tumor, although physicians will sometimes order the removal of the growth or at least monitor it very closely.
The precancerous tumor is a growth that is not currently exhibiting any characteristics associated with cancer. The tumor is not currently spreading through the system and has not yet begun to damage surrounding organs. However, the rapid growth of the tumor along with other warning signs indicates there is a strong chance that cancer will develop in the short term.
Far and away the most dangerous type of prostate tumor is a malignancy. This tumor is actively consuming tissue and is spreading to other areas of the body. When a tumor is suspected of being malignant, physicians often schedule surgery as soon as possible and remove the growth. If the biopsy on the extracted tumor indicates it is cancerous, a series of follow-up treatments will begin in an attempt to kill off any cancer cells that the malignancy released before its removal from the prostate.
In the event that it becomes necessary to treat prostate cancer, the first line of defense is to remove the growth from the prostate. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be utilized, depending on the circumstances and general health of the patient. Doctors will closely monitor the response of the patient to the treatments and adjust them as necessary. Along with physical treatments, counseling is often included as a means of helping the male deal with the damage to self-esteem that often accompanies this situation.
Even in situations where the prostate tumor is verified as benign, physicians are likely to consider surgery to remove the growth before it can begin to interfere with bodily functions or enter into a growth spurt. In order to detect the presence of a tumor early, digital rectal exams should be performed annually, along with any other screening techniques determined by the physician to be necessary.