Advanced Prostate Cancer Symptoms
Men with advanced prostate cancer may experience additional symptoms. Thats because the cancer has spread from the prostate to other parts of the body, such as the bones or lymph nodes.
Signs of metastatic prostate cancer may include:
- Swelling in legs or pelvic area
- Numbness or pain in the hips, legs or feet
- Bone pain that persists or leads to fractures
A wide range of treatment options are available for managing advanced cancer. These treatments kill cancer cells, but they may also help patients manage pain.
Prostate cancer treatment: The care you need is one call away
Your multidisciplinary team will work with you to develop a personalized plan to treat your prostate cancer in a way that fits your individual needs and goals.
Warning Signs Of Prostate Cancer
One of the challenges of prostate cancer is that it often doesnt present symptoms that alert men to its presence, particularly in the early stages. But the Urology Care Foundation notes that there may be some warning signs that you have problems related to your prostate, including the following:
If you get screened for prostate cancer, there are additional warning signs based on how the prostate gland cells look under a microscope, notes the American Cancer Society. Cells that may be concerning will exhibit some level of what is known as prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia . These cells may exhibit low-grade PIN, in which something is slightly off with the cells, or high-grade PIN, when they show clear abnormalities.
Under a microscope, prostate gland cells may also exhibit what is known as proliferative inflammatory atrophy . PIA indicates cells that are smaller than normal and show some signs of inflammation. These cells may be worth additional monitoring because they could develop high-grade PIN and ultimately prostate cancer.
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What You Need To Know About Prostate Cancer
Most types of prostate cancer are known as adenocarcinomas, which are cancers that develop from gland cells, the Mayo Clinic says.
While some forms of prostate cancer grow and spread quickly, others grow quite slowly. The American Cancer Society notes that some people can have undetectable prostate cancer for decades without it causing any problems. But the risks of prostate cancer are quite serious, particularly as it begins to spread to other areas of the body.
What Are The Early Warning Signs And Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer
Most men with prostate cancer have no symptoms.
- Erectile dysfunction
- Bone pain and/or fractures
One should go to the nearest hospital emergency department without delay if any of the following symptoms occur:
- Urinary tract infection : Burning pain on urination, urgency, or frequent urination, especially with fever.
- Bladder obstruction: Not urinating or urinating very little despite drinking enough fluid producing little urine despite straining pain due to a full bladder.
- Acute kidney failure: Not urinating or urinating little, with little discomfort, despite drinking enough fluid.
- Deep bone pain, especially in the back, hips, or thighs, or bone fracture: Possible sign of advanced prostate cancer that has spread to the bone.
- Spinal cord compression: This occurs when the cancer has spread to vertebrae of the spine and tailbone region. The weakened vertebrae can collapse on the spinal cord. Typical symptoms that might signal acute spinal cord compression include weakness in the legs and difficulty walking, increased difficulty urinating, difficulty controlling the bladder or bowels, and decreased sensation, numbness, or tingling in the groin or legs. These are often preceded by a persistent new central pain in the back lasting a few days or weeks. This condition is a true emergency and requires immediate evaluation in the nearest hospital emergency department. Failure to be treated immediately can result in permanent spinal cord damage with paralysis.
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Who Is More Likely To Develop Prostate Cancer
Anyone who has a prostate can develop prostate cancer. But certain factors can make you more likely to develop it:
- Age. Your chance of developing prostate cancer increases as you get older. Prostate cancer is rare in people under age 50.
- Family health history. Your risk of prostate cancer is higher if you have a parent, sibling, or child who has or has had prostate cancer.
- Race. African Americans are more likely to get prostate cancer. They’re also more likely to:
- Get prostate cancer at a younger age.
- Have more serious prostate cancer.
- Die from prostate cancer.
Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer Spread To The Bones
The most common place for prostate cancer to spread to is the bones. This can include the:
The most common symptom if cancer has spread to the bone is bone pain. It is usually there most of the time and can wake you up at night. The pain can be a dull ache or stabbing pain.
Your bones might also become weaker and more likely to break .
When prostate cancer spreads to the spine, it can put pressure on the spinal cord and cause spinal cord compression. This stops the nerves from being able to work properly. Back pain is usually the first symptom of spinal cord compression.
Spinal cord compression is an emergency. You should contact your treatment team immediately if you are worried you might have spinal cord compression.
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What Should You Do If You Notice That You Are Experiencing Some Prostate Cancer Symptoms
After reading this article, if you are finding yourself that more than one warning sign of prostate cancer applies to you, you should be free to consult with a doctor. There is no guarantee that you are really having prostate cancer, however, it is recommendable to check that. Do not be afraid and never delay seeking medical treatment. As we already said, if the cancer is in the early stage it will be removed very easily.
Recurrent Prostate Cancer Symptoms
Prostate cancer that returns after treatment is considered recurrent. When it returns to the area around the prostate, the disease is classified as a local recurrence. If the cancer is found in another part of the body, the recurrent cancer is considered metastatic. If the cancer metastasizes outside the prostate, it most likely develops in bones first. Metastatic prostate cancer most often spreads to the liver, bones and lungs.
After initial treatment for prostate cancer, PSA levels are expected to drop dramatically. The first sign of recurrent prostate cancer may be a rise in the PSA level. Other symptoms of recurrent cancer may depend on whether and where the cancer has spread. Symptoms include:
- Blood in the urine
- Difficulty breathing
Patients should discuss any symptoms with their doctor and ask about scheduling regular PSA tests after treatment.
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Where Does Prostate Cancer Spread
The most common place for prostate cancer to spread to is the bones. It can also spread to the:
A large tumour in the prostate gland can spread into or press on areas around the prostate, such as the back passage or urethra. The urethra is the tube which carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
Some Of The Most Common Warning Signs That Can Tell You Are Having Prostate Cancer Are:
Need for frequent urination, mostly during the nights
Having difficulty starting or to stop with urination
Occurrence of sudden erectile dysfunction
Having pain in the bone
Losing weight without trying
Weak urine flow
Unexplained pain around the prostate while sitting
We need to note that in case you have been experiencing some of the mentioned things, you should not panic because there are so many others conditions that are not serious at all with the same symptoms. Therefore, if you have some of the symptoms that do not necessarily mean that you are having prostate cancer. On the other hand, even though it is unbelievable to hear it, some men can even have prostate cancer diagnosed without experiencing any of the mentioned symptoms.
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Causes Of Prostate Cancer Risk Factors
Some researchers cant find a direct cause of prostate cancer, but many have found various risk factors. Some say it might have a hereditary risk and is inherited. Only 10% of people who have it are hereditary. Age is also another risk factor when it comes to prostate cancer. Men who are over the age of 50 have a higher rate of being diagnosed. Race and ethnicity are also important factors. Latinos have the lowest rate of prostate cancer. African Americans have the highest rate of prostate cancer. Other risk factors include diet. Many studies see a correlation between diet and prostate cancer. If you are experiencing any symptoms, visit a urology clinic to help with your needs.
What Increases Your Risk Of Prostate Cancer
Factors that can elevate risk prostate cancer include:
- A family history of prostate cancer
- Inherited genetic mutations, such as BRCA1/BRCA2 genes and Lynch syndrome
- Conditions such as prostatitis, inflammation of the prostate, and benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH, a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland
- A diet high in red meats and high-fat dairy and low in fruits and vegetables
- Age: approximately 60 percent of cases are diagnosed in men older than 65
- Race and ethnicity: African-American men and Caribbean men of African ancestry are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer
Research has also shown that a healthy lifestyle, including a well-balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight, may reduce prostate cancer risk.
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Diagnosis Of Prostate Cancer
Diagnosis of any type of cancer is a crucial step to identify the condition of the patient and prepare a treatment plan for them.
These diagnostic tests help your oncologist determine the stage and adversity of cancer.
Some of the tests that can be done to diagnose prostate cancer are:
- MRI Magnetic resonance imaging is an imaging technique to determine the position of the tumour. It helps doctors to plan treatment according to the position of cancerous tissue that has to be removed.
- Biopsy It is a general process that is used to diagnose any type of cancer. This technique involved taking out a sample of tissue from the diseased organ and observing it for cancerous cells. Similarly, a biopsy is used to diagnose prostate cancer.
- Ultrasound Ultrasound is also a method to get an image of the prostate gland. A small tube is inserted into the body of the patient through the rectum to get a better look at the tumour. It uses sound waves to create images of the prostate gland.
Things To Know About Prostate Cancer Signs And Symptoms
Prostate cancer affects men in their prostate glands. One of the most common cancers found in men, it can go undetected for years. A slow-growing tumor will not push against anything to cause pain in the early stages.
Prostate cancer may first appear through urinary symptoms. The tumor can press on and restrict your urethra, which can cause interrupted urine flow and pain when urinating. You may also experience loss of bladder control, a frequent urge to urinate, or a burning sensation while urinating. These early signs of prostate cancer may go undetected or be associated with the wrong issue.
Early screenings can determine if you have cancerous cells in your prostate. About 85 percent of prostate cancers are detected in early screenings. Cancer cells can be found before you experience any kind of symptoms.
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Signs Of Advanced Prostate Cancer
If youre experiencing these symptoms, you may have a more advanced or aggressive prostate cancer. If you are experiencing a combination of these symptoms and are concerned about prostate cancer, set up a visit with your physician to discuss screening options.
- Pain or burning when urinating
- Difficulty starting or stopping urination and dribbling
- Increased frequency of urinating
What Are The Stages Of Prostate Cancer
The primary staging assessment of prostate cancer is usually made by digital rectal examination , prostate specific antigen measurement, and bone scan, supplemented with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging and chest X-ray in specific situations.
Staging is a system of classifying tumors by size, location, and extent of spread, local and remote.
Staging is an important part of treatment planning because tumors respond best to different treatments at different stages.
Stage is also a good indicator of prognosis, or the chances of success after treatment.
Clinical staging provides the initial information about the extent of disease that is used to plan therapy. However, clinical staging can underestimate the extent of the tumor, when compared with results based upon pathologic examination of a resection specimen .
Conventional stages of prostate cancer are as follows:
- Stage I : The cancer cannot be felt on digital rectal exam, and there is no evidence that it has spread outside the prostate. These are often found incidentally during surgery for an enlarged prostate.
- Stage II : The tumor is larger than a stage I and can be felt on digital rectal exam. There is no evidence that the cancer has spread outside the prostate. These are usually found on biopsy when a man has an elevated PSA level.
- Stage III : The cancer has invaded other tissues neighboring the prostate.
- Stage IV : The cancer has spread to lymph nodes or to other organs.
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What Is Evaluation Of The Primary Tumor In Prostate Cancer
Evaluation of the tumor :
- TX: Cannot evaluate the primary tumor.
- T0: No evidence of tumor.
- T1: Tumor present but not detectable clinically or with imaging.
- T1a: The tumor was incidentally found in less than 5% of prostate tissue resected .
- T1b: The tumor was incidentally found in greater than 5% of prostate tissue resected.
- T1c: The tumor was found in a needle biopsy performed due to an elevated serum PSA.
It should be stressed that the designation “T2c” implies a tumor which is palpable in both lobes of the prostate. Tumors which are found to be bilateral on biopsy only but are not palpable bilaterally should not be staged as T2c.
Evaluation of the regional lymph nodes :
- NX: The regional lymph nodes cannot be evaluated.
- N0: There has been no spread to the regional lymph nodes.
- N1: There has been spread to the regional lymph nodes.
Evaluation of distant metastasis :
What Is Prostate Cancer
Cancer in the prostate gland is termed prostate cancer, which is quite common in men around the age of 50 or above.
Some of the symptoms of prostate cancer are frequent urination, interrupted urine flow or pain in the pelvis area etc.
These types of symptoms are described further in this article.
But before that let us know a little more about the prostate gland.
The prostate is a small gland that is found in men, present near the urinary bladder.
The prostate gland is one of the important parts of the male reproductive organs which produces seminal fluid.
These seminal fluids work as lubricants for the sperms and help them to travel through the urethra.
Any abnormal growth in the prostate can be benign or malignant .
Benign growth is not life-threatening and can be cured through surgery or other treatment.
Whereas malignancy in the prostate can be dangerous and can grow back even after treatment.
Hence, it is advised to go under early diagnosis if a patient suspects their condition.
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Lower Your Risk For Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a serious disease, but early detection is key. Talk to your doctor about your risk factors and when or if you should be screened for prostate cancer sometimes as early as age 40, if youre considered high risk.
Theres no way to eliminate the risk of getting prostate cancer, Dr. Weight says, but if youre at a higher risk for developing the disease, there are steps you can take to lower your risk.
- Get regular prostate screenings.
What Is The Prostate
To understand the signs of prostate cancer, we must know what the prostate is first. And where it is located.
Because most of the symptoms are explained by the prostates location. When cancer grows, it pushes the surrounding structures, causing those symptoms.
The urethra is like a pipe with a faucet. The prostate would be surrounding it. If it enlarges, it will push against the pipe.
It is a gland located below the bladder, surrounding the urethra . Thats right, part of the urethra runs through the prostate.
Its normal size is that of a nut.
As for the function, it produces part of the , around 30% of it. The remaining 70% comes from the seminal vesicles and testicles.
So, as you can imagine, prostate cancer can alter the process of urination and .
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