Prostate cancer does not show any symptoms in the early stages. Prostate cancer starts in the outer part of the prostate and does not disturb any other organ or function of the body. It is only when the prostate grows near the urethra and starts compressing it, men begin to notice changes and experience difficulty during urination. Here are four common signs and symptoms of prostate cancer.
1. Difficulty in urinating
One of the first symptoms of prostate cancer is difficulty in urinating and the inability to empty the bladder. Urine does not flow with its normal force, and there could be a dribble post urination. Leaking is another symptom, causing an inability to control the urge to urinate. Another early warning sign and symptom of prostate cancer is the constant need to urinate frequently at night, which results in disturbed sleep, fatigue, and restlessness the following day.
2. Blood in urine
If prostate cancer spreads to other parts of the body, one will experience severe symptoms, such as bloody urine or semen. One could feel frequent pain in the back, hips, and pelvis. Erectile dysfunction, too, is a symptom of advanced prostate cancer. During intercourse, you will not be able to get or sustain an erection. One will also lose weight without doing anything specific. Unexplained and unplanned weight loss is a symptom of many types of cancer, including prostate cancer.
3. Swelling in the legs or pelvis
When cancer spreads to nearby organs, tissues, or bones, then cancer has metastasized. One is most likely to see swelling in the legs or the pelvis. Relentless and persistent numbness in the hips, feet, and legs are also symptoms of advanced metastasized prostate cancer. Severe pain in the bones that do not respond to any treatment is also a symptom of advanced cancer. This pain can also cause fractures. If cancer has reached the spinal cord, it can press the spinal nerves and cause severe pain.
4. Symptoms of recurrent prostate cancer
In some cases, cancer comes back despite treatment. This risk is there for almost all types of cancer and is known as recurrent cancer. If cancer does not come back within two years, then the risk of recurrence reduces as time goes by. Once prostate cancer is treated and the person is recovering, PSA levels are expected to drop below four. If PSA levels begin to rise, it is a sign of recurrent cancer. Urine in blood, and problems while urinating, pain in the lower back, fatigue, jaundice, and breathing difficulties are other symptoms that indicate the relapse of prostate cancer.
Symptoms differ from one person to another. Whereas one might develop just one of the above symptoms, some may develop more than one. Do not ignore any persistent symptoms or resort to self-medication or over-the-counter medication to improve the symptoms.
