Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFrequent SymptomsLess Common SymptomsComplicationsWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Prostate Cancer GuideHow Prostate Cancer Is Diagnosed
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Frequent Symptoms
Less Common Symptoms
Complications
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Prostate Cancer Guide
The signs and symptoms ofprostate cancermay include frequent urination, urgency, or a need to urinate during the night. Men may also notice that they have difficulty starting to urinate, as well as a decreased force of urination. Less common symptoms can include finding blood in the urine or semen, or the sudden onset of erectile dysfunction. Symptoms may also occur due to complications of prostate cancer, such as back and hip pain if cancer spreads to bones.
While today, most men arediagnosedwith prostate cancer before they begin to have symptoms (viaPSA screeningand digital rectal exams), it’s important to be familiar with the possible signs of the disease.This is especially important for men who have not undergone screening or are young and have not yet been screened.
Symptoms of prostate cancer are largely related to the anatomy of the prostate. The prostate gland is located just below the bladder in the lower pelvis. As urine exits the bladder, it travels through a thin tube called the urethra, which passes directly through the prostate.
When a cancer is present, the resulting enlargement and inflammation of the gland can cause the urethra to be pinched, impeding the flow of urine. Frequent symptoms related to this narrowing of the urethra include:
Frequency of Urination
Urinary frequencyis one of the most common symptoms of prostate cancer.
Urgency of Urination
Not only can prostate cancer lead to frequent urination, but it can cause a sense of urgency—the sensation of having to urinate right away. Men might notice that they need to walk rapidly to the bathroom or wonder if they will make it in time.
Having to Urinate at Night (Nocturia)
Having to urinate at night (nocturia) is very common in older men, and hearing that this can be a symptom of prostate cancer can be frightening. There are many causes of nocturia, only one of which is prostate cancer.
With prostate cancer, a change in urinary habits is usually more significant than the habits themselves. If you did not ordinarily get up to urinate and do now, you should talk to your healthcare provider. If you did ordinarily get up once at night to urinate and now need to do so two or three times, it’s likewise important to seek medical attention.
Difficulty Starting to Urinate (Hesitancy)
Having difficulty starting the stream of urine (hesitancy) is also common as men age, but can be a sign of prostate cancer or other conditions as well. Most people have experienced hesitancy at some time, such as when feeling rushed in the bathroom. Hesitancy that occurs or is increasing, even when a man is unhurried and comfortable at home, should be addressed.
Decreased Force of Urination
Men may also notice a decreased force or difficulty maintaining a steady stream when they urinate, and because of this, that it takes longer to empty their bladder. In addition, dribbling may occur, and there may be a sensation that the bladder is not completely empty. Again, this can be a relatively normal finding as men age, but if the change is abrupt or changing rapidly, it should be evaluated.
Blood in the Urine (Hematuria)
Blood in the urine(hematuria) is more likely to be due to another condition but can occur with prostate cancer.
Blood in Semen (Hematospermia)
Passing blood in semen (hematospermia) can be an alarming symptom and should be evaluated.As with hematuria, blood in the semen has a number of possible causes. Blood in the semen may be bright red or just have a faint pink color.
Sudden Onset of Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is a common symptom as men age, but is usually gradual in onset. If erectile dysfunction develops rapidly, it may be a cause for concern.
Pain in the Back, Hips, or Ribs
When prostate cancer spreads, the bones are the most common site of metastases. Metastases to bones in the back, hips, or ribs can cause pain that may be severe.
Loss of Bladder Control
Loss of bladder control is not a common symptom of prostate cancer but may occur for more than one reason. In addition to direct causes related to a tumor, prostate cancer may spread to the bones in the lower back, resulting in spinal cord compression and loss of bladder control.
Unintentional Weight Loss
Pelvic Pain
Prostate cancer can lead to chronic pelvic pain due to the invasion of soft tissue in the pelvis.
Urinary Retention
A complete inability to urinate is a medical emergency.
Fortunately, placing a catheter can often quickly relieve the obstruction.That said, medication to reduce the size of the prostate or surgery to remove the obstruction may be needed to prevent recurrent obstruction in the future.
Incontinence
Incontinence can be a side effect of surgery for prostate cancer but can have other causes as well, such as spinal cord compression due to bone metastases.
Bone Metastases
As noted earlier, the bones are the most common site of prostate cancer metastases. Sometimes, in people who have not had screening, it may be the first symptom of the disease. Bone metastases can lead to:
Spinal cord compression is a medical emergency; immediate treatment is needed to prevent permanent damage. Treatment may include steroids, radiation, or surgery.
Types of Prostate Cancer
If you experience any of the symptoms above, it’s important to see your healthcare provider. There are many possible causes of many of these signs, and they, too, are important to diagnose.
That said, when it comes to diagnosing prostate cancer, it’s best not to wait until symptoms appear. Talk to your practitioner about the screening tests available. If you have a family history or otherrisk factors for prostate cancer, especially if a relative was diagnosed with the disease at a young age, it is even more important to be screened. For some men, testing may be recommended starting at an earlier age than for men who don’t have risk factors.
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If you are under 50 or haven’t undergone prostate cancer screening, it is important to see a medical professional if any of the above-listed symptoms develop. None should be considered “normal.” Even erectile dysfunction should be discussed with your healthcare provider. As with many cancers, earlytreatmentis associated with not only better outcomes but a reduction in treatment-related side effects.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men in the U.S. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be over 240,000 new cases and approximately 34,000 prostate cancer-related deaths in 2021.
There are certain lifestyle choices that can help lower the risk of prostate cancer, such as maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular exercise. It has also been shown that men with diets very high in dairy and calcium have a higher risk. Some studies show that certain medications, such as taking aspirin daily, may help reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer.
Prostate Cancer
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Can prostate cancer be found early?.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer.Mayo Clinic.Bladder outlet obstruction: causes in men?.Cancer.NetProstate Cancer: Symptoms and SignsGoldner W.Cancer-related hypercalcemia.J Oncol Pract. 2016;12(5):426-432. doi:10.1200/JOP.2016.011155American Cancer Society.Key statistics for prostate cancer.American Cancer Society.Survival rate for prostate cancer.American Cancer Society.Can prostate cancer be prevented?
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Can prostate cancer be found early?.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer.Mayo Clinic.Bladder outlet obstruction: causes in men?.Cancer.NetProstate Cancer: Symptoms and SignsGoldner W.Cancer-related hypercalcemia.J Oncol Pract. 2016;12(5):426-432. doi:10.1200/JOP.2016.011155American Cancer Society.Key statistics for prostate cancer.American Cancer Society.Survival rate for prostate cancer.American Cancer Society.Can prostate cancer be prevented?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Cancer Society.Can prostate cancer be found early?.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer.Mayo Clinic.Bladder outlet obstruction: causes in men?.Cancer.NetProstate Cancer: Symptoms and SignsGoldner W.Cancer-related hypercalcemia.J Oncol Pract. 2016;12(5):426-432. doi:10.1200/JOP.2016.011155American Cancer Society.Key statistics for prostate cancer.American Cancer Society.Survival rate for prostate cancer.American Cancer Society.Can prostate cancer be prevented?
American Cancer Society.Can prostate cancer be found early?.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer.
Mayo Clinic.Bladder outlet obstruction: causes in men?.
Cancer.NetProstate Cancer: Symptoms and Signs
Goldner W.Cancer-related hypercalcemia.J Oncol Pract. 2016;12(5):426-432. doi:10.1200/JOP.2016.011155
American Cancer Society.Key statistics for prostate cancer.
American Cancer Society.Survival rate for prostate cancer.
American Cancer Society.Can prostate cancer be prevented?
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