Skip to main content
prostate cancer

prostate cancer

57 2.2
A disease in the prostate where cells grow too much and make a harmful lump
  • noun
  • /ˈprɒsteɪt ˈkænsər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cáncer de próstata
  • We look at the pros and cons of testing for prostate cancer and the implications for treatment.
  • prostate cancer screening
  • men with prostate cancer
  • prostate cancer patients

So that was like the first prostate cancer drug that extended life.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • A little while after, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

  • Support in the workplace for men with testicular or prostate cancer is crucial in helping promote a full recovery.

    Academic text (2010)
  • Mike died of prostate cancer just six weeks ago.

  • Is there any increased risk of say prostate cancer or other forms of cancer?

  • Therefore, the risk of developing prostate cancer does rise with age.

    Academic text (2010)
  • We know, for example, that young men do not tend to present with prostate cancer.

    Academic text (2015)
  • "In the United States, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Cancer Research UK estimates that about 250,000 men are currently living with prostate cancer.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Even with further investigations, it is not always easy to identify slow-growing prostate cancer from more aggressive forms.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The average age of diagnosis of prostate cancer in the United States is 72.

Synonyms

prostatic adenocarcinoma
vsprostate cancer
  • Specialized
6.5

A cancer that starts in the gland cells of the prostate

refers to any malignant tumor of the same gland, not only the glandular subtype

How Severe

metastatic tumor
  • Specialized
1 5.1
prostate cancer
  • Specialized
57 2.2

Surface Forms

Morphology

prostate + cancer

The meaning is directly and compositionally derived from 'prostate' (the prostate gland) + 'cancer' (a malignant tumor), i.e. cancer affecting the prostate. This follows a regular noun–noun/adj–noun compounding pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will understand the phrase.

Etymology

Prostate cancer names the disease that starts in the prostate gland. The word prostate comes from a Greek phrase that means 'stands in front of' because the small gland sits in front of the bladder. The word cancer comes from a Latin word that means 'crab' because old doctors thought some tumors spread like a crab's legs, so the name simply shows it is a cancer of the prostate.