Normal cells of the body grow and divide in a very organized way. In adults, cells divide to replace damaged, old, or worn-out cells. The body controls this process, called cell replication, so that the number of cells dividing equals the number of worn-out cells that need to be replaced. The body stops making new cells when it doesn’t need them.

Cancer begins when cells in a certain part of the body begin to grow out of control. These cells do not stop growing or dividing. Over time, they may spread to other parts of the body by traveling through the blood stream or lymph system. This spreading of cancer cells is called metastasis.

Cancer is not one disease but a group of diseases. Each type of cell that grows out of control is a different type of cancer. For example, prostate cancer cells are not the same as breast cancer cells. Cancer treatments are chosen because of their ability to remove or destroy cancer cells where they start and where they spread. Different kinds of cancer need different kinds or combinations of treatments to stop the uncontrolled growth. Many types of treatments may be used to manage prostate cancer, including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and targeted biologic therapy either alone or in combination.

* Cancer information obtained from Georgia Cancer Specialists website.