Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. It usually appears when the cells’ genetic material becomes damaged, which further affects normal cell growth. Though prostate cancer grows slowly in general, some of its types can be too aggressive. Hence, listed below are the rare and common types of prostate cancer that every man must know about.

Acinar and ductal adenocarcinoma
Acinar adenocarcinoma is one of the most common types of prostate cancer. This forms in the prostate gland and spreads quicker than others. Its symptoms may include pain while urinating, the urgency to urinate, blood in urine, and difficulty passing urine. On the other hand, ductal adenocarcinoma occurs in the cells that line the tube of the gland. Surgery is the widely preferred treatment as this cancer does not respond well to hormone therapy.

Squamous cell cancer
Among various rare and common types of prostate cancer, squamous cell cancer deserves special mention. Considered one of the more irregular forms of prostate cancer, it originates in the squamous cells covering the prostate gland and spreads aggressively. Its symptoms may vary from one individual to another, but commonly they include urinary tract infection, blood in the urine, and extreme pain. As far as treatment is concerned, a multimodal approach is known to be highly successful.

Small cell prostate cancer
This is quite a rare form of prostate cancer, and it occurs as a result of a neuroendocrine tumor with small round cells. It spreads faster than other cancers, and its symptoms include painful urination, frequent urination, and very rarely, blood in the urine. Also, it isn’t easy to detect. However, once seen, it can be treated with chemotherapy.

Urothelial cancer
The list of rare and common types of prostate cancer also includes urothelial cancer. This type of cancer begins in the bladder and gradually spreads to the prostate gland. However, in rare cases, it may start in the prostate and then spread to the bladder. Depending on the severity level, its symptoms may vary, but some common signs include painful urination, blood in urine, and pelvic pain. Usually, surgery is used to remove cancer; however, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immune therapy may also be effective.

Prostate sarcoma
This is another rare type of prostate cancer. Unlike other forms of cancer, it develops in the prostate gland’s smooth muscle cells, called mesenchymal cells. It is often viewed as an aggressive type of cancer, it grows and spreads quickly, and hence, it must be diagnosed at an early stage. Due to the narrowing of the urethra, men experience difficulty in urinating and blood in the urine. Although surgery is the most preferred option, other treatments may include hormone therapy, radiation, and chemotherapy, depending on the severity level.

Though prostate cancer is a common health condition that men face, timely detection can make the treatment easy and effective. So, keep the above list of rare and common types of prostate cancer in mind and consult a doctor if you notice any symptoms.