In the early stages, prostate cancer does not usually cause any symptoms, so many aren’t aware that they have it. The PSA test and digital rectal exam (DRE) can detect the disease before symptoms begin, when treatment — if it’s needed — is more likely to be successful. Ninety percent of those who are treated for early-stage prostate cancer are cured.
In later stages of the disease, you may experience these symptoms:
- Difficulty urinating, or decreased flow of urine. In some cases, the tumor in the prostate presses on the urethra, causing urine to dribble out or even stop. However, this symptom also can be caused by benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH — also called benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) or enlarged prostate), a condition that’s common in older men. BPH is not cancer.
- Blood in the urine. While blood in the urine can be caused by a urinary tract infection, it can also be caused by cancer of the bladder, kidney or prostate. If you have blood in your urine, see your doctor. Do not ignore this symptom, even if you are not experiencing pain.
- Discomfort in the pelvic area
- Swelling in the legs
- Bone pain