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Prostate Cancer Symptoms, Causes, Stages & Treatments

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Prostate cancer occurs in males in the prostate gland, a walnut-shaped gland that produces seminal fluid and nourishes or transports sperm. Prostate cancer is the standard type that can slowly and, with minimal treatment, become diminished. Detecting prostate cancer with early signs can be easy as the signs and symptoms are not that common, and it also has the best chances for successful treatments. It's critical to monitor your symptoms and determine what your body considers normal or abnormal. In this blog we'll discuss prostate cancer symptoms, signs, stages and treatments.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms

Many prostate cancers can be found early through screening and cause zero symptoms. There are some symptoms of prostate cancer are as

  • The urination-related problem includes a slow or weak urinary system or the need to urinate at night.

  • Blood in the urine or semen

  • Trouble getting an erection or having erectile dysfunction.

  • Pain in the hips and back, chest or other areas. This can form cancer in the bones closer to prostate cancer.

  • Weakness in the legs or feet.

  • Loss of bladder control from cancer pressing on the spinal cord.

Many problems are associated with prostate cancer, including non cancerous prostate gland growth, which can result in a lot of pain in that area.

What are the Early Signs of Prostate Cancer?

Early prostate cancer signs differ for different individuals but can be identified with fatigue, pain, and nausea. These signs are for people who can help identify, measure, and seek medical help early.

Signs you are dying of prostate cancer:

  • Frequent urination

  • Weak urine flow

  • The urge to pee often at night

  • Blood in urine

  • New onset of erectile dysfunction

  • Pain or burning sensation in the urine

  • Discomfort and pain in the setting caused by the enlarged prostate gland

The non-cancerous condition of the prostate, like an enlarged prostate, can also cause similar symptoms. Thus, it will be best to check with a medical condition related to cancer. Urinary symptoms can also cause urinary bladder infections, among others. There can be different prostate cancer signs, like-

  • having swelling in my legs and feet.

  • Unexplained weight loss

  • Pain in the back, hips, thighs, shoulder, and other bones

  • Fatigue

  • Changes in bowel habits

Common Symptoms and Signs of Prostate Cancer in Men

Different men have different signs and symptoms of prostate cancer. Most men do not experience any symptoms at all. The first signs of prostate cancer include painful ejaculation, incomplete or frequent urination, heavy blood in semen or urine, hip or back pain etc. It is important to discover the first signs of prostate cancer in men, as they may also arise from conditions unrelated to prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer Stages

The stages of prostate cancer are categorized on the basis of spread of cancerous cells beyond the prostate. There are 4 stages of prostate cancer.

Stage 1 prostate cancer or early stage

This is known as early stage or localized prostate cancer. At this stage, cancer cells do not spread beyond the prostate. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is low in the early stages of prostate cancer.

Stage 1 Prostate Cancer Symptoms

Stage 2 prostate cancer

At this stage, cancer cells are found only in the prostate. PSA levels are a little high at this stage. Even though stage II is not the advanced stage of the condition, it is increasing rapidly and spreading to the other organs of the body.

Stage II prostate cancer is divided into three categories:

  • Stage IIA: At this stage, the tumor is tiny, like half of one side of the prostate or even smaller. You can't feel it. The PSA levels are in the middle range. The cancer cells are well-behaved, and it also covers bigger tumors only in the prostate, as long as the cancer cells are still well-behaved.

  • Stage IIB: The tumor is only in the prostate, and it might be big enough to feel during a DRE (that's a prostate exam). The PSA level is in the middle range. The cancer cells are kind of in the middle too and not super different from normal cells, but not the same.

  • Stage IIC: The cancer is just in the prostate, and it might be big enough to feel during a check. The PSA level is in the middle range. The cancer cells might be kind of mixed up and not very organized.

Stage 2 Prostate Cancer Symptoms

  • Trouble in passing urine

  • Blood in urine or semen

  • Painful ejaculation

  • Dribbling in passing urine

Stage 3 prostate cancer

This is an advanced stage of prostate cancer in which PSA levels are 20 or higher. The tumor is growing and likely to spread at a rapid rate. This stage also has three substages, including:

  • Stage IIIA: The cancer is spread beyond or on both sides of the prostate and may be into seminal vesicles.PSA levels are higher than 20.

  • Stage IIIB: The lump has expanded beyond the prostate and might have reached nearby parts like the bladder or rectum.

  • Stage IIIC: The cells in the tumor don't resemble healthy cells much, which is not a good sign. They're kind of all over the place and not well-organized.

Stage 3 Prostate Cancer Symptoms

  • Fecal or urine incontinence

  • Weak stream flow of urine

  • Intense pain or blood in urine or semen

  • More frequent urination

Stage 4 prostate cancer

This is the most advanced stage of prostate cancer in which cancer cells have spread to the nearby tissue and other parts of the body. A study at the National Library of Medicine stated that at the IV stage of prostate cancer, treatment can shrink the tumor but drop the survival rate by 29%.

Stage IVA: The cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.

  • Stage IVB: The cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and other distant parts of the body or to the bones.

Stage 4 Prostate Cancer Symptoms

  • Tiredness

  • Pain during passing urine

  • More frequent urine urge, especially in the midnight

  • Heavy blood in urine or semen

Prostate Cancer Treatment

Early stage cancer is when the cancer cells develop within the prostate. Men with early stage prostate cancer have a chance to get the condition treated and increase their survival rate. There are some prostate cancer treatments are as

Active Surveillance

If you have a small, slow-growing prostate cancer, a good option is "Active Surveillance." Your doctor will keep an eye on it with tests every few months, like a PSA blood test, biopsy, or maybe an MRI. This way, you can avoid side effects in areas like urination, sexual function, and bowel habits. This way, most men do not require treatment. If the PSA goes up and the tests are showing that the cancer is growing, then the doctor might suggest some more focused treatment like surgery or prostate cancer therapies etc.

Watchful Waiting

This is a way to track cancer growth by treating it. It does not involve any tests but it may be risky because cancer cells may grow between the span of two visits. This approach is typically advised for older men with concurrent health issues or for whom treatment might pose life-threatening risks.

Surgery

Radical prostatectomy is the surgical procedure to remove the prostate to get rid of prostate cancer. Sometimes, lymph nodes in the pelvis are also removed. This procedure is generally performed under the influence of general anesthesia.

There are 4 types of radical prostatectomy

  • Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (RALP)

    This is one of the most common surgeries performed to treat prostate cancer. In this procedure, the surgeon will make five small incisions in the lower abdomen to access and remove the prostate.

  • Retropubic Open Radical Prostatectomy

    In this procedure, the doctor will make an incision in the lower belly and remove the prostate through this opening.

  • Perineal Open Radical Prostatectomy

    In this procedure, the prostate is removed between the anus and the scrotum.

  • Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy

    This is a novel and widely accepted prostate removal surgical technique. In this procedure, surgeons use a laparoscope (a thin tube with a camera attached) to access the prostate.

Factors that can develop the risk of prostate cancer are

Prostate cancer can be due to the increased growth of prostate cells that develop and change their DNA. a DNA cell contains all the instructions that can help in the rapid growth and prevent cells from growing. This accumulation of abnormal cell growth can be invaded by nearby tissues that can cause a problem for the body. So, if you think you have prostate cancer with early signs, you must consult a health specialist immediately.

Prostate cancer risk factors are mentioned below:

Age: A person's age is essential; the older you get, your prostate cancer will increase. It usually happens after 50 years of age.

Race: Though not always nuts, black people have a higher chance of developing prostate cancer. In black people, prostate cancer is more aggressive and advanced.

Family history: If blood relatives are parents, children, or siblings, then family history can cause an increased risk of prostate cancer. Especially in a family with a history of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, wherein the family has a significant risk of developing breast cancer and risk of developing prostate cancer.

Obesity: People with a higher risk of prostate cancer are usually heavyweight, and there are mixed results regarding cancer development in obese people. In obese people, cancer can be relatively more aggressive, and they are likely to return to the initial treatment. So, these are the factors that increase the risk of prostate cancer.

What can happen if you leave prostate cancer untreated?

Complications resulting from prostate cancer are as follows

  • Cancer that spreads fast is a form of metastasis cancer that can spread to nearby organs like the bladder or can also center on the bloodstream or lymphatic system, wherein it can cause broken bones. Once cancer has spread to other pasts, there will be a requirement for treatment, and it may not be controlled. Thus, it is unlikely to be cured.

  • The second problem can be incontinence, i.e. Prostate cancer can cause urinary incontinence, depending on the type of severity of the treatment and the likelihood of improving it over time. Treatment can include medication, catheters, and surgery.

Prostate can also cause erectile dysfunction and result in treatment or cancer-related issues like surgery, radiation, or hormonal therapy. Surgery is available to treat erectile dysfunction.

Book an online appointment with the Best Metastatic Cancer Doctors in India

Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and precautions

If you are concerned about experiencing a lot of pain, consult your doctors and change the experience altogether. Doctors will ask long and important questions to prescribe symptoms and difficulty in figuring out the causes of the problem or diagnosis. If cancer is found, the symptoms are really important, and treatment can include supportive care and be started soon after the diagnosis and continued treatment. However, be careful and talk to your healthcare team about the symptoms that will likely change. Prostate cancer is common in men and can produce symptoms early, with few signs of something going wrong.

  • A painful or burning sensation in the urine and semen
  • Frequent urination at night
  • sudden erectile dysfunctioning
  • blood in urine or semen
  • difficulty stopping or starting urination.

Other possibilities are having a weak urine flow and unexplained prostate pain if the cancer has spread to other lower body parts, like the hips, back, or bones. In addition, abnormal bowel movements or urinary habits can suggest these changes. A person can also have unexplained weight loss.

Stage 4 Prostate Cancer Survival Rate

Stage 4 is the most advanced stage of prostate cancer where the cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body and survival rate drops. Treatment can shrink the tumor, but the stage 4 prostate cancer survival rate decreases by around 30%. Stage 4 prostate cancer requires proper treatment and guidance from an experienced oncologist.

Getting the right care from an experienced oncologist is important when dealing with Stage IV prostate cancer.

Conclusion

Prostate cancer is not a direct indication of the threat. While early signs and symptoms may suggest prostate cancer, it is still vital that the patient confirms with the doctors. Early signs of prostate cancer in men can include swelling around the pelvic region, difficulty urinating, and blood in urine or semen. Patients need to check with their doctors if the symptoms are due to prostate cancer, as they can be due to other underlying conditions like irregular bowel movements or urinary problems. Similarly, if there are cases in which you might have prostate cancer without any signs.

If you experience any kind of Prostate Cancer. Please Visit our top 10 oncologist in mumbai and top 10 oncologist in mumbai, India, for consultation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are signs of prostate cancer?

The early signs of prostate cancer are urination troubles, decreased force in the urine stream, blood in urine or semen, & bone pain.

What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?

Early symptoms of prostate cancer are advanced urination problems and blood in semen or urine, frequent urge to urinate, painful ejaculation, and stiffness in the lower back, among others mentioned in the blog.

Is prostate cancer curable?

Prostate cancer is treatable and often curable, especially in its early stages; outcomes depend on factors like the cancer's stage and individual health.

Can women get prostate cancer?

No, women do not have a prostate, so they cannot get prostate cancer; this type of cancer occurs exclusively in the prostate gland, which is present only in men.

How to prevent prostate cancer?

Prevent prostate cancer by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and routine screenings for early detection.

How to check for prostate cancer at home?

Prostate cancer cannot be reliably detected at home; regular screenings by a healthcare professional, including a digital rectal exam and PSA blood test, are essential for early detection.

How do you get prostate cancer?

The exact cause of prostate cancer is unknown, but risk factors include age, family history, and hormonal changes; regular screenings are crucial for early detection.

Is prostate cancer genetic?

There is a genetic component to prostate cancer, and having a family history increases the risk; regular screenings are recommended for those with a family history of the disease.

How is prostate cancer diagnosed?

Prostate cancer is diagnosed through a combination of a digital rectal exam, a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, imaging studies, and, if necessary, a prostate biopsy.

Is prostate cancer hereditary?

There is a hereditary component to prostate cancer, and individuals with a family history of the disease may have an increased risk; regular screenings are advised.