(August 2004) Introduction to Prostate Cancer The prostate is a small gland about the size and shape of a walnut situated just below the bladder and surrounding the urethra (the vessel that carries urine)(See Fig. 1). The prostate produces the seminal fluid in which sperm is transported. Figure 1. The Prostate Gland A cancer arises when cells stop growing in an organized and controlled manner. Without proper control cells grow rapidly, eventually forming a tumour. This is a common occurrence in the prostates of older men. Prostate cancer usually begins as a small focus, or several foci, of cancerous cells…

(August 2004) Development of mass spectrometry began with J.J. Thomson’s vacuum tube, with which, in the early part of the 20th century, he demonstrated the existence of electrons and “positive rays.” Thomson observed that the new technique could also be used by chemists to analyze chemicals. Despite this far-sighted observation, the primary application of mass spectrometry remained in the realm of physics for nearly thirty years. It was used to discover a number of isotopes, to determine the relative abundance of isotopes, and to measure isotope masses. These important fundamental measurements laid the foundation for later developments in diverse fields…