This tissue can be benign or malignant. Benign tissue is not cancer. The cells do not spread to other parts of the body. In BPH, the prostate grows larger and pushes against the urethra and bladder, blocking the normal flow of urine. Although this condition may not be a threat to life, it may require treatment to relieve symptoms.
Malignant tissue is cancer.
The cancer cells form a tumor that can invade and destroy nearby healthy tissue. Cancer cells can also break away from the tumor, spread throughout the bloodstream and lymphatic system, and form tumors in other parts of the body. The spread of cancer is called metastasis. When cancer spreads outside the prostate, it often shows up in nearby lymph nodes and can also spread to the bones, liver, bladder, rectum, and other organs. When cancer spreads from the prostate to other parts of the body, the disease is called metastatic prostate cancer rather than bone cancer, liver cancer, or any other name.