The prostate is a gland of the male reproductive system. The prostate is made up largely of muscular and glandular tissues. Its main function is to produce fluid for semen, which transports sperm.
Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that most often begins in the outer part of the prostate.
As the tumor grows, it may spread to the inner part of the prostate. Cancer that is confined within the prostate and has not spread is called localized prostate cancer . Locally advanced cancers may spread to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes or bones. Prostate cancers are classified, or staged , according to the extent, if any, of spread. T1 and T2 cancers are confined to the prostate gland.