They divide too much and form masses known as tumors. Some tumors may interfere with body functions and require surgical removal, but they do not spread to other parts of the body. These are known as benign tumors. There they may form more malignant tumors. The rates of growth and spread of prostate cancer vary widely.
Some tumors grow rapidly.
Others grow so slowly they do not even produce symptoms during a man's lifetime. The cause of prostate cancer remains unknown. Several factors associated with a higher rate of prostate cancer, however, have been identified. The risk of developing prostate cancer increases as a man ages. For reasons not known currently, black Americans have the highest incidence rate in the world.