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David Silver, MD
Head of Urological Oncology
Assistant Director, Urology
Maimonides Medical Center
Brooklyn, NY


Prostate cancer occurs in the small gland that produces the seminal fluid that supports sperm. It is one of the most common types of cancer in men. In fact, approximately one in six men in the United States will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime. A diagnosis of this cancer is not necessarily an emergency medical situation, according to Dr. Silver, because this is the slowest growing of all cancers, and often it initially remains confined to the prostate gland where it may not cause serious harm. The slow-growing types of prostate cancer may need minimal or no treatment, but there are also types that are aggressive and spread quickly. When detected early, prostate cancer that is still confined to the prostate gland has a better chance of successful treatment. Dr. Silver clears up confusion about the meaning of the PSA test and suggests important lifestyle measures that promote positive outcomes in men being treated for prostate cancer.