Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, after skin cancer. It is estimated that one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. While many cases of prostate cancer are slow-growing and may never cause any problems, it is important to be aware of the symptoms so that you can get treatment if necessary.
In this blog post, we will discuss 10 symptoms of prostate cancer. If you experience any of these symptoms, please see your doctor right away.
What Is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that affects the prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland in men that produces seminal fluid.
Prostate cancer usually develops slowly and is limited to the prostate gland at first, where it may not cause serious harm. On the other hand, some types of prostate cancer can be aggressive and quickly spread to other parts of the body.
Prostate cancer usually grows very slowly, and many men with prostate cancer will never have any symptoms. In some cases, however, prostate cancer can grow and spread quickly.
10 Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer Symptoms can vary from man to man, and many men with early-stage prostate cancer will have no obvious symptoms at all. However, if cancer does cause symptoms, they may include:
- Difficulty urinating
- Decreased force in the stream of urine
- Blood in the urine
- Pain or burning during urination
- Urinate frequently, especially at night
- Difficulty getting an erection
- Painful ejaculation
- Lower back pain
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
However, most early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms.
Diagnosis
Prostate cancer is usually diagnosed during a man’s annual physical exam. Your doctor may feel your prostate through the wall of your rectum to check for any lumps or other abnormalities. If anything suspicious is found, you may be referred to a urologist, a doctor who specializes in urinary tract disorders, for further testing.
Most prostate cancers are found early, through screening, often found during a digital rectal exam (DRE). In this procedure, the doctor places a gloved, lubricated finger in the rectum and feels the prostate for lumps or abnormal areas. The DRE alone cannot detect all cases of prostate cancer, so if your doctor suspects you might have the disease, he or she will likely order one or more of the following tests:
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test
PSA, a protein produced by both noncancerous and cancerous tissue in the prostate, is measured in this blood test. A high PSA level could indicate the presence of prostate cancer. High PSA levels can be caused by a variety of conditions, including enlarged prostate or prostate inflammation.
Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS)
During this procedure, a small probe is inserted into the rectum, and sound waves are used to create a picture of the prostate gland. TRUS can help determine whether a suspicious area on the DRE is cancerous.
Biopsy
In this procedure, your doctor removes tiny samples of tissue from the prostate using a needle. The tissue is then examined under a microscope to look for cancer cells. If cancer is found, the biopsy can also help determine how aggressive it is.
Prostate MRI
In some cases, your doctor may recommend an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan of the prostate gland. This test uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create a detailed image of the prostate gland. An MRI scan can sometimes find cancers that cannot be detected with other tests.
Once prostate cancer has been diagnosed, your doctor will order additional tests to determine if the cancer has spread beyond the prostate gland. This process is called staging, and it helps guide treatment decisions. The TNM system, which considers the size of the tumor (T), whether cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes (N), and whether cancer has metastasized (spread) to other parts of the body, is the most common method of staging prostate cancer (M).
Treatment Prostate Cancer
There are several treatment options for prostate cancer. The best option for you will depend on several factors, including the stage and grade of your cancer, your age, and overall health, and your treatment preferences.
PSA levels are expected to drop dramatically after initial treatment for prostate cancer.
Surgery
One of the most effective procedures for localized prostate cancer is surgery. Radical prostatectomy and robotic prostatectomy are the two most common types of surgery. The entire prostate gland, as well as nearby lymph nodes, is removed during radical prostatectomy. A robotic prostatectomy is a minimally invasive version of this procedure in which the surgeon uses a robot to remove the prostate gland.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays or protons, to kill cancer cells. There are two main types of radiation therapy: external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), in which the beams are directed at cancer from a machine outside the body, and brachytherapy, in which radioactive seeds are implanted in the prostate gland. Radiation therapy can be used to treat localized prostate cancer, locally advanced prostate cancer, or metastatic prostate cancer.
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy is a treatment that lowers the levels of testosterone in the body. Testosterone stimulates the growth of prostate cancer cells, so lowering testosterone levels can help slow the growth of the tumor. Hormone therapy can be used to treat localized prostate cancer, locally advanced prostate cancer, or metastatic prostate cancer.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It is typically only used to treat metastatic prostate cancer.
Active Surveillance
Active surveillance is a treatment approach in which men with low-risk prostate cancer closely monitor their cancer with periodic PSA tests and DREs, but do not immediately begin treatment. This approach may be an option for men who are older or who have other health conditions that make treatment risky.
Conclusion
Prostate cancer is a serious disease, but it is also one of the most treatable forms of cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, with early detection and effective treatment, many men with prostate cancer can expect to live long and healthy lives. If you are concerned about your risk of prostate cancer, talk to your doctor about the best way to stay informed and proactive about your health.