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Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
A cancer diagnosis can be a scary, life-changing event for you and your family, but armed with information and support, you can be in the best position to partner with your care team for a successful recovery.
Prostate Cancer Symptoms
Because of the nature of prostate cancer, many men have no symptoms leading up to their prostate cancer diagnosis. Regular screenings for men with risk factors associated with prostate cancer are an important tool in the early detection and management of prostate cancer. In cases where men do present with symptoms, they include:
- Increased urination frequency and urgency
- Painful burning with urination
- Problems having an erection
- Decreased ejaculation fluid
- Painful ejaculation
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Rectal pressure or pain
- Pain and stiffness in the back, hips, pelvis, or thighs
While these symptoms can be a sign of prostate cancer, there can be many other explanations for such symptoms, so it is important to talk with your doctor to get a complete and accurate diagnosis. Conditions such as benign prostatic hypertrophy, commonly known as an enlarged prostate, have similar symptoms but are noncancerous.
Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
A prostate cancer diagnosis generally comes from one of two exams from your regular physician. A PSA blood test can help your doctor determine if you have elevated levels of the protein that can indicate prostate cancer. Because these levels vary from man to man, a digital rectal exam (DRE) is often used in conjunction with the PSA test when your doctor suspects prostate cancer. To confirm prostate cancer, your doctor will send a biopsy to the lab.
Two main forms of biopsy are:
- Trans-rectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided biopsy - An ultrasound is used to visualize the prostate, and multiple needles are inserted into the suspicious tissue to retrieve a sample.
- Trans-perineal biopsy - Although not as common as the TRUS-guided biopsy, a tissue sample can also be collected by accessing the prostate through inserting a needle in the perineum.
A biopsy is an important step in prostate cancer diagnosis. The characteristics of the prostate’s cancer cells will greatly influence the options and treatment plans available to you. By gathering the most accurate information available, you and your doctor can come up with the best plan for you.
Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer? Insist on consulting with a Urologist and a Radiation Oncologist immediately and before you decide on a treatment plan. Call 309-451-2231 to schedule a consultation with a Radiation Oncologist.
More Prostate Cancer Information:
Prostate Cancer Information Collection | Prostate Cancer Treatment Options | FAQs About Prostate Cancer | Prostate Cancer Prevention & Risk Factors
