The most common neoplasm in males older than age 50, prostatic cancer is a leading cause of male cancer death. Adenocarcinoma is the most common form; only seldom does prostatic cancer occur
as a sarcoma. Most prostatic cancers originate in the posterior prostate gland, with the rest growing near the urethra. Malignant prostatic tumors seldom result from the benign hyperplastic enlargement that commonly develops around the prostatic urethra in older males.

Slow-growing prostatic cancer seldom produces signs and symptoms until it’s well advanced. Typically, when primary prostatic lesions spread beyond the prostate gland, they invade the prostatic capsule and then spread along the ejaculatory ducts in the space between the seminal vesicles or perivesicular fascia. When prostatic cancer is fatal, death usually results from widespread bone metastases. Incidence of prostatic cancer is highest among Blacks and lowest among Asians. It appears unaffected by socioeconomic status or fertility.