Stage 3 Cancer: Definition, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prognosis

Sensation In Legs Could Be Red Flag Symptom Of Common Cancer, According To Doctor

Dr Mark Porter has spoken out about some of the red flags that people should look out for when it comes to prostate cancer, and has urged people to see their GP as soon as possible if they spot them

Key symptoms of the potentially deadly disease have been outlined (

Image: Getty Images)

A doctor has issued a warning about the 'red flags' for prostate cancer, urging anyone who experiences them to seek medical advice immediately - including an unusual sensation in the legs.

Dr Mark Porter, writing in his Times column, spoke out as the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency issued an alert to doctors reminding them to warn men taking finasteride, a drug commonly used for bladder and prostate issues, of potential psychiatric and sexual side-effects.

Dr Porter outlined the key symptoms of the potentially deadly disease, stating: "Some red flags to be aware of: blood in your urine, which is never normal and should always be reported, a burning sensation (suggestive of infection) and any change in bladder function accompanied by back pain, or weakness and/or altered sensation in the legs or pelvic area (suggestive of nerve compression).

"He also explained that non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is very common. The gland begins to increase in size from around the age of 40, and by 60, at least half of all men will have BPH, rising to 90 per cent or more by the age of 85.

"In many cases, but not all, it can significantly affect bladder function." He explained: "Not every man with BPH will have symptoms, and not everyone with symptoms will have BPH, but tell-tale signs include needing to get up in the night for a pee (once is normal), a weakened stream, peeing more often during the day, and having trouble getting started when you do, or stopping when you have finished.

"And men often unwittingly make their symptoms worse by going to the loo just in case before trips out of the house - as do many women with continence issues - accelerating any reduction in bladder capacity. And so starts a downward spiral." He noted that caffeine can exacerbate symptoms, along with oral decongestants like pseudoephedrine, antihistamines found in cold and flu remedies, and certain types of over-the-counter sleeping pills. Tests might include urine analysis, a PSA blood test - which can show elevated levels in both BPH and cancer - and sometimes checks on kidney function, reports Gloucestershire Live.

Dr Porter recommended measuring urine output and discussing the findings with a GP. He added that a normal adult bladder typically signals the need to urinate at 150-250ml, with more urgent signals occurring above 400ml. "Even those with good capacities are normally getting desperate by 600ml," he said. "However, if your chart shows that you are bursting to go but only passing 100-200ml at a time, then you have a problem. Not all such cases will be due to BPH, but if examination reveals your gland feels significantly enlarged then it's likely to be a factor."

Treatment options can include medication to relax the bladder outlet, such as tamsulosin, or hormone blockers like finasteride to shrink the gland. Bladder training, which involves trying to stretch the bladder capacity by holding on longer and avoiding unnecessary trips to the loo, can also be beneficial for some.

Additionally, bladder pills can be used to relax the muscular wall. In more severe cases, surgery may be considered to open up the narrowed urethra.

10 Signs And Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer usually does not cause symptoms in the early stages. Signs of prostate cancer can include frequent urination, weak or interrupted urine stream, painful ejaculation, blood in urine or semen, and erectile dysfunction as the disease progresses.

It doesn't necessarily mean you have prostate cancer if you have these symptoms. Other conditions that affect the prostate, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), cause similar symptoms.

HeroImages / Getty Images

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located in the lower pelvis in front of the rectum and just below the bladder in the male reproductive system. The prostate wraps around the urethra, a tube that empties urine from the bladder. A tumor can press on or constrict the urethra, causing frequent urination, urinary urgency, and difficulty urinating. Frequent Urination and Nocturia  Frequent urination is the need to urinate more than usual. Most people don't know how many times they urinate each day. People with prostate cancer may notice they are making more bathroom trips than normal.  Nocturia, or excessive nighttime urination, is when you wake up more than once a night to urinate. The body slows down urine production at night, which allows most people to sleep between six to eight hours without waking to use the bathroom. Nocturia can be a symptom of prostate cancer, but there are many other causes, such as aging.  Urinary Urgency  Prostate cancer can cause a sudden, overwhelming need to urinate right away. Urinary urgency can make it difficult to "hold it" and may be accompanied by discomfort in the bladder or urinary tract.  Difficulty Urinating  Having trouble urinating, known as urinary hesitancy, can include problems with starting the stream of urine, a weak or slow stream, or a stream that frequently starts and stops. Feeling like the bladder is not completely emptied and dribbling (leaking) urine are also possible signs of prostate cancer. Other symptoms of prostate cancer may also occur. These less common symptoms include painful ejaculation, blood in the urine or semen, and erectile dysfunction. Painful Ejaculation  Pain during or immediately after ejaculation can be a sign of prostate cancer. You may feel pain in the penis, testes, rectum, or lower abdomen. Painful ejaculations range from mild discomfort to excruciating and may last a few seconds or longer. Blood in the Urine or Semen  Blood in the urine (hematuria) or in the semen (hematospermia) can occur when a tumor in the prostate gland presses on the urethra or surrounding glands and blood vessels. A tumor can irritate or block these structures, causing blood to appear in urine or semen. Sudden Onset Erectile Dysfunction  Erectile dysfunction is when it is difficult to get or keep an erection. Aging is a common cause, but it is typically gradual in onset. Sudden onset erectile dysfunction, in contrast, may be a sign of prostate cancer. This can occur when a tumor compresses or damages nerves that control blood flow to the penis. Other symptoms can occur if the cancer has metastasized (spread) outside of the prostate. Advanced symptoms include pain, swelling in the legs or feet, unintentional weight loss, and numbness and weakness. Pain in the Back, Hips, or Chest The bones are almost always the first part of the body affected when prostate cancer spreads. This is known as bone metastases. Cancer can spread to any area of the body, but the back, hips, and ribs are the most common sites of bone metastases. Swelling in the Legs or Feet Swelling in the legs and feet may occur when prostate cancer spreads to the lymph nodes in the pelvis. The lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system, which collects excess fluid from body tissues and organs, filters it, and returns it back to the bloodstream. Fluid can build up and lead to swelling when cancer cells enter lymph nodes and block lymph drainage channels.  Unintentional Weight Loss Unintentional weight loss is often a sign of advanced prostate cancer. Cancer cells demand a lot of the body's energy supply, causing the body to burn more calories than normal. Fatigue is common in advanced prostate cancer and can also contribute to weight loss. Numbness and Weakness in Limbs A tumor may compress the spinal cord and cause a range of symptoms when cancer spreads to the spine. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms and legs. Loss of control of the bladder and bowel may also occur. This can lead to incontinence (leaking urine or feces) or difficulty emptying the bladder or bowel.  See a healthcare provider if you have prostate cancer symptoms. Not everyone who experiences these symptoms has prostate cancer. Other conditions that affect the prostate, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), cause similar symptoms. A healthcare provider can investigate to determine the cause and provide treatment. Prostate cancer is a slow-growing disease that does not usually cause symptoms in the early stages. More advanced prostate cancer may cause symptoms such as frequent urination, a weak urine stream, erectile dysfunction, and blood in the urine or semen. Other prostate conditions, such as an enlarged prostate, cause similar symptoms.  It's important to make an appointment with a healthcare provider if you have prostate cancer symptoms. They can find and treat the cause. 

Thanks for your feedback!

Prostate Cancer Survivor Sheds Light On Common Stigmas

Your browser is not supportedusatoday.Com

usatoday.Com wants to ensure the best experience for all of our readers, so we built our site to take advantage of the latest technology, making it faster and easier to use.

Unfortunately, your browser is not supported. Please download one of these browsers for the best experience on usatoday.Com

---