BPH
BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) is a benign (non-cancerous) enlargement of the prostate. It is very common in men over 50 and often starts earlier. Some of its symptoms (such as urinating more frequently, difficulty urinating, weak urine stream,) are similar to prostate cancer, which is why it's important to have an accurate diagnosis.

Bracytherapy 
Bracytherapy is a form of radiotherapy (radiation treatment) for cancer in which radioactive material is sealed in seeds, wires, needles or catheters that are then placed directly into or near the cancer. New, computer controlled methods allow for precise placement.

Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)
A DRE is a simple test for prostate abnormalities in which a doctor, wearing a lubricated rubber glove, inserts a finger into the rectum and feels the prostate (through the rectal wall) to check for lumps, hard areas and other unusual features. This test is not conclusive for prostate cancer; if abnormalities are found, other tests are needed to determine if the cause is prostate cancer or another condition.  

Gleason Score
Gleason scoring is a system for grading prostate cancer named for the doctor who invented it. The grade denotes how aggressive the cancer is, that is, how fast it is likely to grow and spread. Each area of cancer is given a grade from 1 to 5, with 1 being the least aggressive. The Gleason score is either the two most common grades added together. Therefore, Gleason scores range from 2 to 10.

Grade
A grade denotes how aggressive the cancer is, that is, how fast it is likely to grow and spread in the future. A variety of systems are used to grade cancer, but in general, the higher the grade, the more aggressive the cancer. See "Gleason Score."

Laparoscopic Prostate Surgery
This is a form of "minimally invasive surgery" in which the surgeon's hands never enter the patient's body. Instead, the surgeon makes small incisions into which a laparoscope (a thin, lighted tube), tiny surgical instruments, and a tiny video camera (so the surgeon can see the surgery on a video monitor) are placed. See Robotic Laparoscopic Prostate Surgery.

Prostate
The prostate is the gland in men that manufactures fluid for semen. About the size of a walnut, it's located between a man's bladder and his rectum and surrounds the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder).

Prostate Cancer Screening
Performing diagnostic tests to see if a person has prostate cancer. See Digital Rectal Exam and PSA test.

Prostatitis
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate. Its symptoms are often the same as prostate cancer's. Its causes are often unknown, but it isn't contagious and is curable

PSA
PSA is prostate-specific antigen, a protein made in the prostate and usually found in semen. However, a small amount does circulate through the blood stream. A larger than normal amount in the blood may indicate some problem in the prostate, such as BPH, prostatitis, or cancer.

PSA Test
A PSA test measures the amount of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) in the blood. A higher level of PSA may indicate some problem in the prostate.

Risk Factors
Risk factors are things that seem to increase the chance of a person getting a specific disease.

Robotic Laparoscopic Prostate Surgery
In this advanced, computer controlled form of laparoscopic prostatectomy, robotic arms manipulate the tiny surgical tools. The surgeon controls their movements through a computer system that allows the surgery to be extremely precise. See Laparoscopic Prostate Surgery.

Stage
The stage of a cancer indicates how large it is and how far it has already spread.