Adenoca Prostate Cancer

Adenoca of the prostate gland is short for adenocarcinoma of the prostate gland.

The term adenocarcinoma is a medical term describing the histology of the cancerous cells.

Although there are several different cell types found in the prostate gland, almost 100% of prostate cancers develop from the glandular cells. These glandular cells make the fluid that is added to semen. Adenocarcinoma of the prostate gland is the medical term for a cancer that starts in the glandular cells. Because other types of prostate cancer are so rare, if you have prostate cancer it is almost certain to be an adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma of the prostate is common. It is relatively rare before the age of 50  but autopsy studies have found prostatic adenocarcinomas in over half of men more than 80 years old. Many of these carcinomas are small and clinically insignificant. However, some are not, and prostatic adenocarcinoma is second only to lung carcinoma as a cause for tumor-related deaths among males.

Risk Factors For The Development Of Prostatic AdenoCa

There are certain sub-groups of men who have a higher likelihood of developing  prostate cancer. These include men include of older age, of black race, and with a positive family history. Those with an affected first-degree relative have double the risk.

The grading of the aggressiveness of the cancer cells in prostate cancer is done by using what is called the Gleason score. There are 5 grades (from 1 to 5) based upon the cellular architectural patterns. Adenocarcinomas of the prostate are given two grades based on the most common and second most common architectural patterns. These two grades are then added together to get a final grade which can range from 2 to 10.

Cancers with a Gleason score of <6 are generally considered low grade and not aggressive.