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The Prostate Cancer Symptoms You Should Know
Kirstie Ganobsik
While prostate cancer affects about 1 in 8 men, when it's caught early, there's a 99% survival rate, according to Cancer.Org. That's why early-stage detection is so important.
The higher the stage number, the more advanced the disease. Learn from the experts about the early symptoms of prostate cancer as well as signs of advanced-stage disease.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
Stage 1 prostate cancer symptoms
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Your prostate cancer is considered stage 1 if it hasn't spread beyond your prostate gland, according to Scripps MD Anderson Cancer Center and Mount Sinai Health System. The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland that's located under a man's bladder. It produces seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.
Symptoms of prostate cancer might be nonexistent during this stage. That's because it generally grows slowly and only affects one part of the prostate, making it a challenge to detect without regular screenings. In fact, John Hopkins Medicine notes that about 85% of prostate cancer cases are found using early detection screenings prior to any symptoms developing.
"There are circumstances, or individual cases, where people might experience some changes in the way they're peeing. They might experience some ejaculatory changes, maybe some blood in their semen. But these are not rules per se," said Dr. Ramdev Konijeti, director of genitourinary oncology at Scripps MD Anderson Cancer Center in San Diego.
According to the Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida, symptoms during stage 1 prostate cancer may include:
Stage 2 prostate cancer symptoms
As prostate cancer progresses, it will still stay within the borders of the prostate gland, according to Mount Sinai. It can grow more rapidly, however, and cells can show more abnormalities. This is known as stage 2 prostate cancer. At this stage, the cancer may be located on one or both sides of the gland.
The United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) notes that once a prostate cancer tumor grows large enough to put pressure on the urethra (the tube carrying urine from the bladder out through the penis), symptoms can become more apparent.
Stage 2 prostate cancer symptoms may include:
Stage 3 prostate cancer symptoms
During stage 3, prostate cancer spreads beyond the prostate gland into surrounding tissues and sometimes into the seminal glands, according to Scripps. At this stage, it hasn't yet entered the lymph nodes or spread throughout the body, however.
This stage is also known as locally advanced prostate cancer.
The Urology Foundation and Scripps advise that men may experience advanced prostate cancer symptoms during this stage, such as:
Stage 4 prostate cancer symptoms
Stage 4 prostate cancer is the most advanced stage of the disease, where cancer cells have spread to tissues and organs in other parts of the body, such as the bones, spine, pelvis, liver and bladder. This stage is sometimes called advanced, or metastatic, prostate cancer, according to Scripps.
You might notice more aggressive symptoms during this stage. The Mayo Clinic notes that in addition to symptoms seen in earlier stages, metastatic prostate cancer symptoms might show up in different ways, such as:
"Typically, people feel absolutely no symptoms related to the condition until it spreads and it affects the bones and people can get unintentional weight loss. They can get pain in specific areas where it has spread," Konijeti said.
"Those are the two very common things people can experience in very advanced stages of prostate cancer, as well as urinary problems, like blood in the urine or inability to empty themselves," he added.
According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, at any stage prostate cancer symptoms are "rare," and if they do show up it's during these later stages.
That's why Konijeti suggested men with risk factors for prostate cancer have annual prostate screenings starting in their mid-40s.
"In people with absolutely no risk factors, no symptoms, they're just interested in screening for it, typically after the age of 50 we tell people they can screen for it every other year, at the most," he advised.
SOURCE: Ramdev Konijeti, MD, director, genitourinary oncology, Scripps MD Anderson Cancer Center, San Diego
Early Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the leading cancers in males assigned at birth (MAAB). Symptoms may include pain, bladder issues, or sexual dysfunction. Early detection is key.
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that 201,082 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States were reported in 2020 alone.
Learn more about these early symptoms of prostate cancer, as well as when it's time to take action.
Prostate cancer, especially in the early stages, will typically cause pain, urinary symptoms, and it can affect your sexual function.
Urinary symptomsProstate cancer shares many similar symptoms with benign diseases of the prostate. The earliest prostate cancer symptoms are often urinary. Warning signs can include:
Many of these symptoms can be indicative of noncancerous diseases of the prostate, a gland located near the bladder in MAABs. These include an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and prostatitis, an inflamed prostate gland, usually due to infection.
Unlike prostate cancer, BPH and prostatitis usually don't cause bloody urine. If you see blood in your urine, call your doctor for an evaluation immediately.
Learn more: What's the difference between prostatitis and BPH?
Sexual dysfunctionThe prostate gland plays a key role in the male reproductive system, so unsurprisingly, prostate cancer can cause sexual dysfunction.
MAABs may have problems getting or maintaining an erection or experience painful ejaculation. Some men with early prostate cancer experience no symptoms.
Because of changes in hormone levels, sexual dysfunction becomes more common with age. Still, you shouldn't brush off erectile dysfunction or other symptoms due to aging. Tests can help determine whether your symptoms are cancerous or not.
Frequent painOnce prostate cancer spreads, it can cause pain in and around the area of the prostate gland. MAABs with the disease can also experience pain in other areas:
Pain is also likely to occur in multiple areas. For example, you might experience painful urination in conjunction with pelvic pain. Any ongoing or chronic pain should be assessed by a doctor to rule out serious health problems.
Unintentional weight lossIn most cases, unintentional weight loss is a sign of later-stage prostate cancer.
That said, it can be an early sign of cancer in rare cases.
If you're losing weight without trying and having other symptoms that suggest a problem with your prostate, see your doctor.
In addition to physical symptoms, some other signs can indicate the presence of prostate cancer in your prostate cancer screening.
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testThe prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test detects a higher-than-usual protein concentration generated by your prostate gland in the blood.
A high PSA concentration can indicate prostate cancer even before you notice other symptoms. However, this can also be caused by other conditions.
Generally speaking, there is no definite limit for PSA levels in the blood. Previously, 4 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) has been considered standard.
However, there are some prostate cancer patients with lower counts and people without it who have between 4-10 ng/mL.
That said, if your test indicates a potential for prostate cancer, your doctor will probably send you for additional testing.
Learn more about PSA levels and testing.
Digital rectal exam (DRE)A digital rectal exam (DRE) is a procedure doctors use to check your lower rectum and other internal organs.
During the test, your doctor will slide a gloved and lubricated finger into your anus to feel for abnormalities.
They'll be able to detect lumps on your prostate or an enlarged prostate, both of which could be signs of prostate cancer.
Abnormal DRE results by themselves don't necessarily mean you have prostate cancer. However, in combination with a positive PSA level and other symptoms, your doctor may make the diagnosis.
It's a good idea to call your doctor if you experience symptoms of prostate cancer, even if they're mild.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) suggests it may be a good idea to get a prostate cancer screening (including a PSA test) if you're between 55 and 69, but this decision is up to you in consultation with your doctor.
The USPSTF also recommends against getting a prostate cancer screening (including a PSA test) over the age of 70 unless you specifically want to be screened or your doctor refers you.
That said, the National Cancer Institute recommends that MAABs in their 30s or 40s see a doctor immediately if they experience prostate cancer symptoms. While these symptoms don't necessarily indicate prostate cancer, noncancerous prostate problems usually occur in men after the age of 50.
Symptoms like bloody discharge or extreme pain may warrant an immediate cancer screening.
Getting regular cancer screenings is also important, particularly if there's a history of the disease in your family.
MAABs with family members with prostate cancer are up to three times more likely to develop the disease. Your risk may also be greater if breast cancer runs in your family. Sharing this information with your doctor can help you get timely testing done should any suspicious symptoms arise.
The majority of prostate cancer cases continue to be diagnosed during routine checkups. This can lead to a late diagnosis, in which the cancer has already progressed to a more advanced stage. Like many forms of cancer, the earlier prostate cancer is detected, the better the outlook.
It's possible to have prostate cancer, BPH, and prostatitis simultaneously. Still, this doesn't mean having a noncancerous prostate disease increases your risk of developing prostate cancer.
The best way to protect yourself is to pay attention to your symptoms earlier rather than later. Being proactive can lead to earlier treatment and a better outlook.
Learn more about prostate cancer.
Prostate Cancer: Prognosis, Stages, And More
A prostate cancer prognosis depends on how early a doctor diagnoses the cancer. With an early diagnosis, the prognosis is excellent. The advanced disease has a much worse prognosis.
Prostate cancer attacks the prostate, a small gland located between the base of the penis and the bladder. Prostate cancers tend to grow slowly, but they can spread. When these tumors spread, the cancer can be fatal or affect overall health.
This article explains the prognosis, stages, causes, treatment of prostate cancer, and whether it is preventable.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the overall 5-year survival rate for all stages is 97%, suggesting doctors diagnose most prostate cancers early.
According to the ACS, prostate cancer is second to skin cancer as the most common type of cancer in males in the United States. About 1 in 8 US males will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. It becomes more likely as a person ages. About 60% of males who receive a diagnosis of prostate cancer are over 65 years.
The outlook for people with prostate cancer is good when they receive an early diagnosis.
Improved screening tools, especially prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, can help doctors detect cancer in its early stages and identify people at a higher risk of cancer.
According to the ACS, 5-year survival rates are as follows:
The overall 5-year survival rate is 97%.
Treatment for prostate cancer can cause some complications and side effects. Prostatectomy, the removal of the prostate, may cause erectile dysfunction (ED) and urinary incontinence.
Radiation to the prostate may cause side effects such as:
What is prostate cancer?Prostate cancer is cancer that originates in the glands of the prostate. The prostate is a gland that makes components of seminal fluid. It sits under the bladder and in front of the rectum.
Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate grow out of control, forming a tumor. Over time, the cancer can spread to nearby locations and other body regions. This is metastatic prostate cancer.
Learn more about prostate cancer here.
Several different staging systems exist, including the three-stage tumor model. This model assesses the size of the tumor using the TNM staging system, the PSA score, and the grade group, which is based on the Gleason score. These systems reveal specific information about the behavior of the cancer and whether the tumor has spread.
One of the most important factors in assessing prostate cancer is whether the cancer has spread outside the prostate. Cancer that has spread significantly is harder to treat and cure. The stages are as follows:
Learn more about the stages of prostate cancer here.
Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate grow abnormally and out of control. As with other cancers, genetics may play a role. People with a family history of prostate cancer may develop more aggressive cancer earlier.
Age is the most significant prostate cancer risk factor, with about 80% of males developing it by the age of 80. However, the aggressiveness of cancer tends to decrease with age.
Other risk factors include:
Learn about prostate cancer in Black males.
The most common treatments for prostate cancer that has not spread include:
Other less common or experimental treatments include:
Correct treatment depends on a person's age, overall health, treatment goals, and cancer stage.
Learn more about prostate cancer treatment by stage.
It is not possible to prevent all cases of prostate cancer. An active lifestyle, avoiding harmful chemicals, and managing conditions such as hypertension may lower the risk.
Doctors may prescribe the drugs finasteride and dutasteride to people who have a high risk of developing prostate cancer. These medications may reduce the risk of cancer but not the risk of dying of cancer. These drugs can also cause side effects such as ED.
A person should discuss their risk factors with a doctor.
Learn about some natural ways to try to prevent prostate cancer.
Most people survive prostate cancer with minimal complications. If the cancer is localized and grows slowly, many people do not immediately need treatment. But prostate cancer can still be fatal.
People with cancer can work with an oncologist to discuss treatment and outlook, and all males should consider asking a doctor about their prostate cancer risk.
Anyone concerned about prostate cancer might consider talking with a doctor.
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