Prostate Cancer Symptoms

Quick Glance: Common Prostate Cancer Symptoms

Common prostate cancer symptoms may include:

• Difficulty starting urination

• A weak urine stream

• Urine flow that stops and starts

• Needing to urinate more frequently or urgently

• Needing to urinate more often during the night

• Feeling that the bladder has not emptied completely

• Blood in the urine

• Blood in the semen

• Problems getting or maintaining an erection

• Persistent pain in the back, hips or pelvis

Symptoms such as persistent bone pain, unexplained weight loss, marked tiredness, leg weakness or numbness are more likely to occur when prostate cancer has become advanced or spread to other parts of the body.

Urinary symptoms are also common with benign prostate enlargement, so their presence does not confirm prostate cancer.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer That Should Not Be Ignored

New or persistent urinary changes, unexplained bleeding or ongoing pain should be medically assessed because these symptoms can result from prostate cancer as well as several non-cancerous conditions.

The table below explains prostate cancer symptoms that should not be ignored:

These symptoms do not confirm prostate cancer. In particular, urinary changes are often caused by benign prostate enlargement rather than cancer.

Why Do Prostate Cancer Symptoms Occur?

Prostate cancer symptoms occur when a growing tumour begins to affect the prostate, the urethra or nearby tissues, or when the cancer spreads to other parts of the body.

The prostate sits below the bladder and surrounds part of the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. Early prostate cancer may not press on the urethra, which is why it can develop without causing noticeable symptoms.

As the tumour grows, it may interfere with urine flow and cause difficulty starting urination, a weaker urine stream or a feeling that the bladder has not emptied completely.

If prostate cancer spreads beyond the prostate, symptoms depend on the area involved. Prostate cancer spreading to the bones can cause persistent back, hip or pelvic pain. If the spine is affected, pressure on the spinal cord can lead to weakness, numbness, difficulty walking or changes in bladder and bowel control.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer That Require Immediate Medical Attention

Most prostate cancer symptoms require medical assessment rather than emergency treatment. However, symptoms suggesting metastatic spinal cord compression require urgent medical attention because prolonged pressure on the spinal cord can cause permanent nerve damage.

It is recommended to get immediate medical attention if you experience the following:

• Severe or rapidly worsening back or neck pain

• New weakness in one or both legs

• Increasing difficulty walking or standing

• New or worsening numbness or tingling

• Loss of sensation in the legs or around the buttocks

• New difficulty controlling or emptying the bladder

• Loss of bowel control

• Back pain accompanied by new weakness or numbness

These symptoms may occur when prostate cancer affecting the spine presses on the spinal cord or nearby nerves. Metastatic spinal cord compression is a medical emergency and requires rapid assessment.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer Based on Type

Most prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas, while several rarer types can also develop. Symptoms often overlap, and thus, the type of prostate cancer cannot usually be identified from symptoms alone.

The table below summarises recognised prostate cancer types and their commonly associated symptoms:

Ductal, neuroendocrine and squamous cell prostate cancers are much less common than conventional adenocarcinoma and may behave more aggressively. Symptoms alone cannot determine the cancer type; examination of tumour tissue is required.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer-Specific Conditions

Symptoms can vary considerably depending on whether prostate cancer remains within the prostate or has spread beyond it. The table below explains symptoms associated with different prostate cancer-specific conditions:

Symptoms generally become more likely as prostate cancer grows or spreads, although the pattern varies between individuals.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer in Children

Prostate cancer is exceptionally uncommon in children and is primarily a disease of older adults. Even among people younger than 50, prostate cancer is uncommon. Tumours involving the prostate in children are rare and may be different from the prostate cancers typically diagnosed in adults.

The following prostate cancer symptoms may be noticed in children by their parents:

• Persistent urinary obstruction

• Difficulty passing urine

• Other unusual urinary symptoms

These symptoms should be medically assessed rather than assumed to represent prostate cancer.

Can You Have Prostate Cancer Without Symptoms?

Yes. Prostate cancer can develop without causing noticeable symptoms, particularly while it remains confined to the prostate. Symptoms may not appear until the cancer has grown or spread.

A person may feel completely well and only undergo further investigation after a PSA blood test or another prostate assessment raises concern.

However, the absence of urinary symptoms does not rule out prostate cancer. Similarly, having urinary symptoms does not mean cancer is present because benign prostate enlargement commonly causes difficulty urinating, a weak stream, urgency and frequent urination.

When Can Prostate Cancer Symptoms Become Life-Threatening?

Advanced prostate cancer can cause serious complications when cancer spreads to the bones, spine or other parts of the body, and requires urgent assessment. The table below highlights symptoms that may indicate a serious prostate cancer complication:

Metastatic spinal cord compression is particularly serious because untreated pressure can lead to permanent neurological damage or paralysis.

How are Prostate Cancer Symptoms Diagnosed?

Symptoms alone cannot diagnose prostate cancer. Doctors assess symptoms and individual risk factors and may use PSA testing, physical examination, MRI and biopsy to determine whether prostate cancer or another prostate condition is present.

The following tests and assessments may be used for prostate cancer diagnosis: