Introduction

The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland located in front of the rectum, behind the base of the penis, and under the bladder. The prostate gland is the most common cancer site in men excluding the skin. About 180,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States. Prostate cancer ranks second only to lung cancer in terms of cancer-related deaths in males, and is responsible for an estimated 31,500 deaths each year.
According to the American Cancer Society, 92% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer survive at least five years. This number approaches 100% when the cancer has not spread beyond the prostate gland. 70% of prostate cancers are found while they are still localized to the prostate.