What are signs of prostate cancer
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Signs of Prostate Cancer
Early Detection and Screening: PSA and DRE
Prostate cancer often goes unnoticed in its early stages because it typically does not cause pain or noticeable symptoms. Many men are diagnosed through health screenings, such as a blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or a digital rectal exam (DRE) . Elevated PSA levels can indicate prostate cancer, but they can also be caused by benign conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostatitis . Therefore, while PSA is prostate-specific, it is not exclusively indicative of prostate cancer.
Urinary Symptoms: Difficulty and Frequency
As prostate cancer progresses, it can cause urinary symptoms due to the enlargement of the prostate gland, which obstructs the urinary tract. Common symptoms include difficulty starting or stopping the flow of urine, a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying, urgency, nocturia (frequent urination at night), and hesitancy . These symptoms are often similar to those caused by benign prostatic conditions, making it challenging to distinguish between them based solely on symptoms .
Hematuria and Pain: Blood and Discomfort
Blood in the urine (hematuria) or semen, and pain during ejaculation, are also potential signs of prostate cancer. These symptoms, while alarming, can also be associated with other genitourinary conditions, so their presence does not definitively indicate prostate cancer.
Erectile Dysfunction: New Onset
New onset of erectile dysfunction or less firm penile erections can be a sign of prostate cancer, particularly if the cancer involves periprostatic tissue that affects erectile function. This symptom is often overlooked or attributed to normal aging, but it should raise suspicion of prostate cancer in the appropriate clinical context.
Advanced Disease: Bone Pain and Metastasis
In advanced stages, prostate cancer can metastasize to bones, causing unexplained bone pain, particularly in the back . Other rare but serious symptoms of advanced prostate cancer include acute urinary retention, bilateral hydronephrosis, spinal cord compression, and supraclavicular lymphadenopathy. These symptoms indicate a more severe progression of the disease and require immediate medical attention.
Conclusion
Prostate cancer presents a range of symptoms that can overlap with benign conditions, making early detection and accurate diagnosis challenging. Regular screenings through PSA tests and DREs are crucial for early detection, especially in men over 50 or those with a family history of the disease. Awareness of urinary symptoms, hematuria, erectile dysfunction, and unexplained bone pain can aid in recognizing potential signs of prostate cancer, prompting timely medical evaluation and intervention.
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