Prostate cancer develops in the prostate gland in the male reproductive system. Once the cancer has taken hold, it could spread from the prostate to bones, lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Difficulty in urinating, erectile dysfunction and other problems during sexual intercourse are the common symptoms, with other symptoms typically developing during the later stages.

The cancer tends to develop in males who are over the age of fifty, though many never show symptoms because its progress is slow in most cases, and men with the condition may often die of other causes such as heart disease, pneumonia, other types of cancers or even old age.

Prostate cancer may be indicated by physical examination, Prostate Specific Antigen test or biopsy, but a new online tool for prostate cancer promises to be the most accurate way to predict one’s chances of long term survival.

Once the cancer is detected, the patient can try surgery, radioactive seed implantation or traditional radiation, as means of treatment. prostrate cancer patients can better decide on the right treatment by using the calculator available online to determine their risk.

The calculator, intended only for men over the age of 55, determines the long term survival chances of the patient by taking into consideration several questions like PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) number and the type of treatment chosen. Being the first calculator of its kind, urologists are excited at the prospects of this tool in predicting long term survival chances, there has been nothing like it provide delivered similar data. Prostate and skin cancers are the most common types of cancer in men.

Prostrate cancer is indeed is deadly, but 80% of the time it does not spread, but stays localized. This is precisely the reason why knowing about long term survival chances can help patients decide on whether more aggressive or less aggressive treatment is appropriate.

For an older patient, the side effects of aggressive surgery like incontinence and impotence may be less important than extending his life span. It is these informed decisions that help the patient; when some kind of percentages can be offered on the chances of survival when opting for surgery or other treatment options; it makes the decision making much easier for patients.