Prostate Cancer
What Are the Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?
Most patients with prostate cancer have no symptoms. However, some patients with prostate cancer will have symptoms associated with their urinary function or the general pelvic region. Such symptoms can include:
- Difficulty urinating
- Weakened urine stream
- Pain within the pelvis or low back
- Blood in semen
Some of the symptoms above may describe a variety of urology conditions, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is important that you seek treatment with a urologist if you notice any of these warning signs to assess the root cause of your symptoms.
Different Types of Prostate Cancer
There are multiple unique forms of prostate cancer that men are at risk of developing. This risk is influenced by a variety of factors such as age, family history, and race.
Depending upon where in the prostate the abnormal cells develop, a man may have one of five different types of prostate cancer. Most often, prostate cancer is classified as an adenocarcinoma. Other types include:
- Transitional cell carcinomas
- Small cell carcinomas
- Sarcomas
- Neuroendocrine tumors
Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
A biopsy is required to confirm a definitive diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Other molecular diagnostics and imaging studies, such as an MRI, can often guide urologists as to whether a biopsy is indicated for a particular patient.
Prostate Cancer Treatment
Due to the unique nature of each individual case, treatment for a patient’s prostate cancer will vary.
During your initial consultation, your urologist will walk through your medical history and journey with prostate cancer up to this point. Once they have insight into your specific case, they will be able to recommend a course of treatment to best suit your needs.
Many patients are treated with either surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or a combination of one or more of those treatments.