This term can be used to describe both active surveillance and watchful waiting. See active surveillance and watchful waiting.

A way of monitoring prostate cancer with regular tests, rather than treating it straight away. The aim of active surveillance is to avoid unnecessary treatment in men with less aggressive cancers. The tests check for any changes that suggest that the cancer may grow, and treatment can then be offered at an early stage.

A cancer that occurs in the cells of a gland, such as the prostate gland. The majority of prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas. See also carcinoma.

Treatment given on top of the main treatment to increase the likelihood of successfully controlling the cancer. For example, hormone therapy given at the same time as radiotherapy. See also neoadjuvant.

Prostate cancer that has spread outside the prostate gland to other parts of the body, such as the bones.

This word may be used to describe a cancer that is more likely to develop and spread quickly. See also Gleason score.

Drugs that can be used to help treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by relaxing the muscles around the neck of the bladder and in the prostate, making it easier to pass urine.

Hormones that are responsible for male characteristics. The male sex hormone testosterone is an androgen. See also hormones and testosterone.

Hormone therapy drugs that stop testosterone from reaching the prostate cancer cells. Without testosterone the cancer cells are not able to grow.

Opening at the end of the back passage (rectum) to the outside of the body.

This word is used to describe a tumour that is not cancerous. See also tumour.

A non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. It is a common condition that mainly affects men over the age of 50.

The removal of small samples of tissue to be looked at under a microscope. A biopsy of the prostate gland may be used to help diagnose prostate cancer.

A sample of tissue taken during a biopsy. See also biopsy.

Bisphosphonates are a group of drugs which may be used by men with prostate cancer that has spread to the bones. They do not treat the cancer but may help with symptoms.

A muscular sac which collects and stores urine before it is passed out of the body.

A procedure to help improve the flow of urine and relieve urinary symptoms by making small cuts in the neck of the bladder. See also bladder.

Soft tissue found inside the bones that makes red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Chemotherapy treatment for prostate cancer affects how well your bone marrow works.

A scan of the body, similar to an X-ray, which uses a radioactive substance to highlight the bones and find any areas of damage. A bone scan may be used to find out whether prostate cancer has spread to the bones.

A type of internal radiotherapy for treating localised prostate cancer using radioactive seeds or a temporary source of radiation.
Read more about brachytherapy and high dose rate brachytherapy.

A condition where cells in the body grow in an abnormal or uncontrolled way to form a tumour. These cells may spread to surrounding tissue and other parts of the body. See also carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.

Cancer which begins in the tissues that cover the outside and line the inside of the body's organs. Carcinomas are the most common type of cancer. See also adenocarcinoma.

Castrate resistant prostate cancer is cancer that is no longer responding as well to treatment with orchidectomy or LHRH agonists and has started to grow. It is sometimes referred to as hormone refractory or hormone resistant prostate cancer although these are slightly different. See also hormone refractory / hormone resistant, orchidectomy and LHRH agonists.

A thin tube that is used to drain urine from the bladder out of the body. This can be a tube through the penis (urethral catheter), or through the abdomen (suprapubic catheter).

The basic building blocks which make up every part of the body. Cells normally multiply in a controlled way. Cancer occurs when they start multiplying uncontrollably, forming a tumour.

Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs to kill cancer cells. It may be used to treat prostate cancer that has spread outside the prostate gland and is no longer responding to hormone therapy. Chemotherapy is used to help control symptoms of prostate cancer and not to cure it. Some men at an earlier stage of prostate cancer may be offered chemotherapy as part of a clinical trial.

A nurse who specialises in a particular medical condition. A clinical nurse specialist for prostate cancer may be part of your multi disciplinary team. See also multi-disciplinary team (MDT).

A medical research study involving people, who are always volunteers. Clinical trials may investigate new drugs and combinations of drugs, as well as new technology and procedures.

See Maximal androgen blockade.

A scan that uses a computer linked to an X-ray machine to take a series of images of the body. You may have a CT scan to find out whether the cancer has spread outside the prostate.

A treatment that uses freezing and thawing to kill the cancer cells in the prostate gland. Cryotherapy can be used to treat prostate cancer that has come back after treatment with radiotherapy or brachytherapy. It is also sometimes offered as a first treatment for prostate cancer, and may be available as part of a clinical trial or national study. Also known as cryosurgery or cryoablation

Inflammation of the bladder that causes a burning sensation when you pass urine, difficulty passing urine, or the need to pass urine more often. Radiation cystitis can be a side effect of radiotherapy.

Identification of a health problem or condition.

Passing frequent, loose or watery stools (faeces) from the bowel. See also faeces.

A physical examination in which a doctor or nurse feels the prostate gland with a gloved, lubricated finger through the back passage (rectum). The DRE is used to help diagnose prostate problems and prostate cancer.

see benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Difficulty getting or keeping an erection. Erectile dysfunction has many possible causes. It can be a side effect of some treatments for prostate cancer. Also known as impotence.

Radiotherapy using high energy X-ray beams directed at the prostate gland from outside the body. This type of treatment may be used to treat localised or locally advanced prostate cancer.

Problems controlling bowel movements which lead to stools (faeces) leaking from the back passage. Also known as bowel incontinence. See also faeces.

Waste matter that is passed out of the body from the back passage (rectum). Also known as stools or bowel motions.

An abnormal opening between two parts of the body that may be caused by injury or infection. This is an uncommon complication of some treatments for prostate cancer, where a hole forms between the back passage (rectum) and the tube that carries urine through the penis (urethra).

When cancer grows more quickly for a short time because of a temporary rise in the level of testosterone. This can be caused by the first injection of an LHRH agonist. Read more about hormone therapy.

A single session of a course of radiotherapy treatment. See also radiotherapy.

The frequent need to pass urine. This can be a symptom of a prostate problem.

A doctor who deals with a range of medical problems in people of all ages. Also known as a family doctor.

The biological information that is inherited from your parents. Genes control how the body grows and works. See also genetics.

Related to genes. A condition may be described as genetic if it has been passed on in a family. Researchers are looking into the role of genes in the development of prostate cancer. You are two and a half times more likely to develop prostate cancer if your father or brother has it. See also genes.

A grading system which shows how aggressive prostate cancer is likely to be. Cancer patterns in a prostate biopsy sample are given a grade. Non-aggressive cells are grade 1 and the most aggressive are grade 5. See also Gleason score.

Your Gleason score is worked out by adding the Gleason grades of the two most common types of cancer patterns in the biopsy samples. The higher the Gleason score, the more aggressive the cancer and the more likely it is to spread. Gleason scores range from 2 to 10. However, most men with prostate cancer will have a Gleason score of between 6 and 10. See also Gleason grade.

A hormone therapy drug that is given by injections in the abdomen. It blocks the message from the brain that tells the testicles to produce testosterone.

Swelling of the breast tissue. This can be a side effect of some types of hormone therapy.

The need to wait a while before being able to pass urine, even when the bladder is full.

A treatment that uses high frequency ultrasound waves to heat and destroy cancer cells. HIFU is a relatively new treatment for prostate cancer and you may be offered it as part of a clinical trial or through private healthcare.

A type of surgery that may be used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A laser is used to remove tissue from the prostate gland that is pressing on the urethra. Also known as laser prostatectomy.

Prostate cancer that is no longer responding as well to treatment with any type of hormone therapy and has started to grow. See also castrate resistant.

Hormone therapy controls prostate cancer by stopping testosterone reaching the prostate cancer cells. There are different types of hormone therapy, which can be given by injection, implants, tablets or surgery. Hormone therapy will not cure prostate cancer but it can keep the cancer under control for many months or years.

Chemicals found in the body that help control some of the body's functions. The male hormone testosterone can cause prostate cancer to grow more quickly. See also androgens and testosterone.

A common side effect of hormone therapy. Hot flushes give a sudden feeling of warmth. They can affect each man differently, from feeling overheated for a few seconds to hours of sweating and discomfort.

A way of carrying out external beam radiotherapy that uses scans immediately before treatment to check the position of the prostate gland.

See erectile dysfunction.

See faecal incontinence and urinary incontinence.

A type of external beam radiotherapy using radiation beams that can be adjusted to give different doses of radiotherapy to different parts of the prostate gland.

Surgery to remove the prostate gland through several small cuts in the abdomen. Also known as keyhole surgery. See also radical prostatectomy and robotic prostatectomy.

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists are a type of hormone therapy drug, given by injection or implant, which stops the body producing testosterone.

The desire to have sex. Hormone therapy can reduce your libido.

Prostate cancer that is contained within the prostate gland.

Prostate cancer that has spread to the area just outside the prostate gland, but has not spread to other parts of the body.

Problems passing urine, including leaking urine, needing to pass urine frequently or urgently, and needing to get up in the night to pass urine. LUTS are common in older men and have several possible causes. See also frequency, hesitancy, urgency and nocturia.

These are part of the lymphatic system. The lymph nodes in the groin and pelvic area are near the prostate gland and are a common place for prostate cancer to spread to. Also called lymph glands. See also lymphatic system.

This is part of the body's immune system. The lymphatic system is made up of a network of vessels which carry a fluid called lymph.

A swelling in part of the body resulting from the build up of lymph. Cancer-related lymphoedema may be caused by a blockage of the lymphatic system. This blockage may be caused by either the cancer itself or some treatments for cancer, for example surgery or radiotherapy. It is not common in prostate cancer. See also lymphatic system.

An imaging technique that uses magnets to create a detailed picture of the prostate and the surrounding tissues. You may have an MRI scan to find out whether the cancer has spread outside the prostate.

This word is used to describe a tumour that is cancerous and has the ability to spread. See also tumour.

A form of hormone therapy that uses both an LHRH agonist and an anti-androgen to treat prostate cancer. Also called combined androgen blockade or complete androgen blockade. See also LHRH agonists and anti-androgens.

The spread of cancer from the prostate gland to other parts of the body. Cancers that have spread may be called metastases, secondary cancers or secondaries. A cancer that has spread is said to have metastasised.

Relating to disease or the side effects of treatment.

The number of people who die from a disease.

The team of health professionals or specialists involved in your care. The team may include a specialist nurse, a consultant oncologist and a consultant urologist. See also clinical nurse specialist, oncologist, and urologist.

Treatment given before the main treatment to increase the likelihood of the treatment being successful. For example, hormone therapy may be given before brachytherapy to shrink the prostate and make treatment more successful. See also adjuvant.

Another word for tumour. See tumour.

Treatment that aims to avoid damaging nerves. For example, during surgery to remove the prostate, the surgeon may try to avoid damaging the nerves that help control erections.

The need to get up at night to pass urine. This can be a symptom of a prostate problem or a side effect of some of the treatments for prostate cancer.

A female sex hormone that may be used as a type of hormone therapy for men with advanced prostate cancer.

A doctor who specialises in cancer treatments other than surgery, for example radiotherapy or chemotherapy. There will usually be an oncologist in your multi-disciplinary team. See also multi-disciplinary team.

The diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

A type of hormone therapy for prostate cancer which involves an operation to remove the testicles or the parts of the testicles that make testosterone.

A condition in which the bones become weaker. This can have many causes. In prostate cancer it is a possible side effect of some types of hormone therapy. Also called bone thinning.

Care given to improve the quality of life of people with an incurable illness. The aim of palliative care is to control pain and other symptoms and to meet a person's psychological, social and spiritual needs.

Radiotherapy given to slow down the growth of cancer and control symptoms in men with advanced prostate cancer, rather than trying to get rid of the cancer.

A doctor who specialises in studying cells and tissues under the microscope to identify diseases. A pathologist will examine biopsy samples to diagnose prostate cancer.

The space surrounded by the hip bones where the bladder, lower part of the bowel and the prostate gland are located.

Treatment for erectile dysfunction. See erectile dysfunction.

The area between the scrotum and the back passage (rectum).

Inflammation of the lining of the bowel. This can be caused by radiotherapy for prostate cancer and may lead to symptoms such as diarrhoea, passing more wind or needing to rush to the toilet to empty the bowels.

The expected outcome of a treatment. Often used to describe life expectancy.

Only men have a prostate gland. The prostate gland's main job is to make most of the fluid that carries sperm, called semen. It lies underneath the bladder and surrounds the tube (urethra) that men pass urine and semen through.

A protein that is produced by the prostate gland. It is normal for all men to have a small amount of PSA in their blood. A raised PSA level can be due to a variety of reasons including age, infection, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer.

See Radical prostatectomy.

Changes in the cells that line the prostate gland. PIN is not the same as prostate cancer and does not cause any symptoms. However, PIN can be in the prostate gland alongside cancer cells and finding PIN may mean that there is a greater chance of finding prostate cancer cells in the future.

Inflammation or infection of the prostate gland.

Your PSA level in relation to the volume of your prostate gland. See also prostate specific antigen and prostate gland.

A test that measures the amount of PSA in the blood. It can be used alongside other tests to help diagnose prostate problems and to monitor prostate cancer growth and the effectiveness of treatment. See also prostate specific antigen.

The rate at which your PSA level changes over time. This can give an indication of how quickly prostate cancer is likely to grow in the future. See also prostate specific antigen.

See cystitis.

Surgery to remove the whole prostate gland and seminal vesicles. See also laparoscopic prostatectomy and robotic prostatectomy.

Someone who takes images, for example with X-rays, to diagnose conditions (diagnostic radiographer), or provides radiotherapy to treat cancer (therapeutic radiographer). See also radiotherapy.

A doctor who specialises in diagnosing medical conditions using X-rays and scans.

The use of high energy radiation beams to destroy cancer cells. There are different types of radiotherapy, including external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy. Read more about external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy, high dose rate brachytherapy, palliative radiotherapy

The last part of the bowel before the anus. Also called the back passage.

Prostate cancer that has returned after treatment. Read more about recurrent prostate cancer.

Something that may make a person more likely to develop a disease. For example, the risk of getting prostate cancer increases with age, so age is a risk factor for prostate cancer

Laparoscopic prostatectomy which is carried out with the help of a robot. See laparoscopic prostatectomy and radical prostatectomy.

A type of biopsy which involves taking more tissue samples from different areas of the prostate gland than a normal biopsy. You may have a saturation biopsy if previous biopsy results are normal but cancer is still suspected. Also known as a template biopsy. See also biopsy.

Testing the general population to find out if people have a disease at an early stage, before symptoms develop. There is currently no screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK.

The pouch of skin that contains the testicles.

See metastasis.

The two glands situated behind the prostate gland and bladder which produce some of the fluid in semen.

See multi-disciplinary team.

The circular muscle that surrounds the tube which urine is passed through (urethra) and controls the flow of urine from the bladder.

Pressure on the spinal cord. This is a rare complication in advanced prostate cancer where the cancer has spread to the spine (spinal metastases). The cancer presses on nerves in the spine causing symptoms.

A way of describing how far cancer has spread. The most common method used in prostate cancer is the TNM (Tumour-Nodes-Metastases) system.

Drugs used to control swelling and inflammation. Steroids can help to reduce inflammation in areas where advanced prostate cancer has spread.

A narrowing of a tube in the body. A stricture in the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body (urethra) can be caused by inflammation and some treatments for prostate cancer.

See saturation biopsy.

Part of a man's reproductive system. The testicles are contained in the scrotum and produce testosterone and sperm.

Male sex hormone. Testosterone can make prostate cancer grow faster. See also androgens and hormones.

A group of cells that perform a specific job. For example, prostate tissue.

Surgery to remove prostate tissue that is pressing on the tube which you pass urine through (urethra). TURP may be used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Abnormal growth of cells. Tumours can be benign or malignant. See benign and malignant.

Surgery to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) which involves removing the part of the enlarged prostate gland that is pressing against the urethra.

The tube that carries urine from the bladder, and semen from the reproductive system, through the penis and out of the body.

A sudden and immediate need to go to the toilet. This can be an urgency to pass urine which can be a symptom of prostate problems, or an urgency to open the bowels which can be a side effect of radiotherapy.

Problems controlling when you pass urine. This can range from leaking a few drops of urine when you cough or sneeze to not being able to control when you pass urine at all.

A test to measure how well the bladder is working. This is sometimes used to help diagnose benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

A doctor who specialises in diseases of the urinary system, including the prostate gland.

The study and treatment of diseases of the urinary system, which includes the prostate gland.

A way of monitoring men with prostate cancer with the aim of avoiding treatment unless symptoms develop. When treatment starts, its aim is to control the growth of the cancer rather than get rid of it. Watchful waiting may be suitable for men with other health problems or who may be less able to cope with treatment. It is different to active surveillance.