OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical burden, health care utilization, and cost patterns of prostate cancer patients in the U.S. veteran population. METHODS:   A retrospective database analysis was performed using the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Medical SAS Datasets from October 1, 2005 to May 31, 2012. All U.S. veteran beneficiaries diagnosed with prostate cancer were identified using International Classification of Disease 9th Revision Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnosis code 185.xx. Descriptive statistics were calculated as means ± standard deviation (SD) and percentages to measure clinical, cost, and utilization distribution in the sample.  The most common comorbidities and treatment medications for prostate cancer patients were also examined. RESULTS:   Among all study patients diagnosed with prostate cancer (n=251,890), the most common comorbidities were hypertension (n=69,534, 27.60%), elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels (n=45,498, 18.06%), and diabetes (n=34,171, 13.57%). The most common treatment medications prescribed for prostate cancer patients were simvastatin (n=71,263, 28.29%), omeprazole (n=34,185, 13.57%) and terazosin hydrochloride (n=22,639, 8.99%). A total of 117,599 (46.69%) patients had PSA test results, with an average result of 14.26. Percentages of inpatient (12.89%), emergency room (ER) (13.12%), physician office (99.86%), outpatient visits (99.87%), and pharmacy visits (90.34%) were calculated. Patient expenditures were found to be $4,227 (SD=$28,254) for inpatient, $146 (SD=$582) for ER, $6,469 (SD=$11,387) for physician office, $6,781 (SD=$11,837) for outpatient visits and $1,247 (SD=$4,159) for pharmacy visits. CONCLUSIONS:   PSA laboratory test results should be considered when evaluating disease severity and progression of prostate cancer. However, the effects of prescribed medications on those test results should always be considered when interpreting laboratory results.