"I have a tumor of the prostate in the very early stages... It is a minor tumor that can be surgically removed. This is not life-threatening and is treatable," he told a news conference.

Olmert said the prostate cancer tumor was revealed during a routine medical examination, and it will not require radiation treatment or chemotherapy

The consulting physicians told the news conference the tumor did not require urgent surgery, and that in such cases surgery to remove the tumor was usually performed no earlier than six weeks after the initial biopsy. Surgeons added that surgery would incapacitate the premier for several days.

Olmert, 62, took office in 2006 after his predecessor, Ariel Sharon, suffered strokes, subsequently falling into a coma. The ex-premier remains hospitalized in intensive care.

The announcement came against the backdrop of Olmert's meetings with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas ahead of a U.S.-sponsored peace conference in Annapolis in November or December. - RIA Novosti

Prostate Cancer Q&A from National Cancer Institute

What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer forms in the tissues of the prostate. Except for skin cancer, cancer of the prostate is the most common malignancy in American men. It is estimated that 218,890 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007 (1). In most men with prostate cancer, the disease grows very slowly. The majority of men with low-grade, early prostate cancer (which means that cancer cells have been found only in the prostate gland) live a long time after their diagnosis. Even without treatment, many of these men will not die of the prostate cancer, but rather will live with it until they eventually die of some other, unrelated cause. Nevertheless, it is estimated that nearly 27,000 men will die from prostate cancer in 2007 (1).

Who is at risk for prostate cancer?

An important risk factor is age; more than 70 percent of men diagnosed with this disease are over the age of 65. African American men have a substantially higher risk of prostate cancer than white men, including Hispanic men. Dramatic differences in the incidence of prostate cancer are also seen in different populations around the world. There is some evidence that dietary factors are involved, such as vitamin E and selenium, which may have a protective effect. Genetic factors also appear to play a role, particularly for families in which the diagnosis is made in men under age 60. The risk of prostate cancer rises with the number of close relatives who have the disease.

How is localized prostate cancer treated?

Three treatment options are generally accepted for men with localized prostate cancer: radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy (with or without hormonal therapy), and surveillance (also called watchful waiting).

* Radical prostatectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the entire prostate gland and nearby tissues. Sometimes lymph nodes in the pelvic area (the lower part of the abdomen, located between the hip bones) are also removed. Radical prostatectomy may be performed using a technique called nerve-sparing surgery that may prevent damage to the nerves needed for an erection. However, nerve-sparing surgery is not always possible.

* Radiation therapy involves the delivery of radiation energy to the prostate. The energy is usually delivered in an outpatient setting using an external beam of radiation. The energy can also be delivered in a technique known as brachytherapy, which involves implanting radioactive seeds in the prostate using a needle. Patients with high-risk prostate cancer are candidates for adding hormonal therapy to standard radiation therapy.

* Active Surveillance (watchful waiting) may be an option recommended for patients with early-stage prostate cancer, particularly those who have low-grade tumors with only a small amount of cancer seen in the biopsy specimen. These patients have regular examinations, PSA testing, and sometimes scheduled biopsies. If there is evidence of cancer growth, active treatment may be recommended. Older patients and those with serious medical problems may also be good candidates for active surveillance.