The largest percentage of prostate cancers originate from which zone?

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The spread of prostate cancer by zone is driven by where the glandular tissue is most abundant. The peripheral zone sits at the back of the prostate and contains the majority of the gland’s glandular tissue. Since there is more tissue capable of malignant transformation in this posterior, gland-rich zone, most prostate cancers originate there. The central zone surrounds the ejaculatory ducts but has less glandular tissue; cancers there are less common. The transitional zone encircles the urethra and is the site of benign prostatic hyperplasia rather than cancer; cancers arising here are less frequent. The anterior fibromuscular stroma has little to no glandular tissue, so it’s an uncommon origin for cancer. Hence, the largest percentage of prostate cancers come from the peripheral zone.