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Frequent urination
Pelvic pain
Pain in lower left abdomen
Urinary incontinence
Frequent urination at night
Pain in lower abdomen
Blood in pee
Urinary urgency
Difficulty urinating
Tea colored urine
Weak urine stream
Pain when urinating
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
Prostate cancer starts in the cells of the prostate which is a gland in the male reproductive system. Men are usually diagnosed by a blood test called the PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen). When it reaches a certain value, men are usually referred to a urologist for evaluation.
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
The urologist will confirm the diagnosis with a prostate biopsy and suggest a treatment plan. Tests will usually be performed to determine if the cancer has spread beyond the prostate. In some cases, the cancer grows slowly and may only need observation. If treatment is necessary, options surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these.
Reviewed By:
Robin Schoenthaler, MD (Oncology)
Board certified radiation oncologist with over 30 years experience treating cancer patients. Senior physician advisor for expert medical options in adult oncology. Published award-winning essayist on medical and health issues and more.
Nao Saito, MD (Urology)
After graduating from Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine, Dr. Saito worked at Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital, Toda Chuo General Hospital, Tokyo Women's Medical University Yachiyo Medical Center, and Ako Chuo Hospital before becoming Deputy Director (current position) at Takasaki Tower Clinic Department of Ophthalmology and Urology in April 2020.
Content updated on Jul 18, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Q.
A Silent Struggle? Why Your Prostate is Sounding an Alarm & Medically Approved Cancer Next Steps
A.
Prostate cancer is often silent with no early symptoms, yet it is highly treatable when found early. Persistent urinary or sexual changes warrant evaluation and a discussion of PSA and DRE screening, especially if you are older, have a family history, are Black, or carry BRCA mutations. If tests raise concern, next steps usually include repeating the PSA, getting a multiparametric MRI, and possibly a biopsy, with treatment tailored from active surveillance to surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, or other advanced care based on stage and risk; there are several factors to consider, so see below to understand more about the details that could shape your next move.
References:
* Litwin, M. S., & Tan, H. J. (2019). The Diagnosis and Treatment of Prostate Cancer: A Review. *JAMA*, *322*(7), 674-688. PMID: 31428753.
* Schröder, F. H., Hugosson, J., & Roobol, M. J. (2022). Prostate Cancer Screening: The European Perspective. *Urologic Clinics of North America*, *49*(3), 321-331. PMID: 35840248.
* Mohler, J. L., et al. (2020). NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Prostate Cancer, Version 1.2021. *Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN*, *18*(11), 1548-1559. PMID: 33171485.
* Klotz, L., & Vesprini, D. (2022). Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer: A Contemporary Review. *Urologic Clinics of North America*, *49*(3), 333-345. PMID: 35840249.
* Agarwal, N., & Antonarakis, E. S. (2021). Recent advances in the treatment of metastatic hormone-sensitive and castrate-resistant prostate cancer. *F1000Research*, *10*, 239. PMID: 33815610.
Q.
Can prostate cancer progress with no symptoms at all?
A.
Yes, prostate cancer can progress without showing any symptoms, especially in its early stages or when it spreads to other parts of the body. See below to understand more.
References:
Holmstrom S, Naidoo S, Turnbull J, Hawryluk E, Paty J, & Morlock R. (2019). Symptoms and Impacts in Metastatic Castration-Resistant .... The patient, 30519830.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30519830/
Sabanathan D, Parsonson AO, Park JJ, & Gurney H. (2023). "Silent" Spinal Epidural Metastases in Metastatic Castrate- .... Case reports in oncology, 37954126.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37954126/
Schmeller NT, Jocham D, Staehler G, Schmiedt E, Davis J, & Drach GW. (1986). Cytologic regression grading of hormone-treated prostatic .... The Prostate, 3737483.
Q.
Can stage 4 prostate cancer ever go into remission?
A.
Stage 4 prostate cancer can sometimes go into remission, although this is rare and depends on various factors like the type of cancer and treatment response. See below to understand more.
References:
Ciszewski A, Shackleton D, & Beer TM. (2008). Long-term remission of metastatic small cell carcinoma .... Urology, 18342209.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18342209/
Tangen CM, Faulkner JR, Crawford ED, Thompson IM, Hirano D, Eisenberger M, & Hussain M. (2003). Ten-year survival in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Clinical prostate cancer, 15046683.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15046683/
Cheng L, Zincke H, Blute ML, Bergstralh EJ, Scherer B, & Bostwick DG. (2001). Risk of prostate carcinoma death in patients with lymph .... Cancer, 11148561.
Q.
Does prostate cancer cause back or pelvic pain?
A.
Prostate cancer can cause back or pelvic pain, especially if it spreads to the bones or affects the nerves in the spine. See below to understand more.
References:
Chu EC, Trager RJ, Lai CR, & Leung BK. (2022). Presumptive Prostate Cancer Presenting as Low Back Pain .... Cureus, 36415398.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36415398/
Osborn JL, Getzenberg RH, & Trump DL. (1995). Spinal cord compression in prostate cancer. Journal of neuro-oncology, 7543940.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7543940/
Benjamin R. (2002). Neurologic complications of prostate cancer. American family physician, 12018806.
Q.
Does the prognosis change if stage 4 prostate cancer is responsive to hormone therapy?
A.
If stage 4 prostate cancer responds well to hormone therapy, the prognosis can improve, as early PSA response is a good sign. See below to understand more.
References:
Miszczyk M, Fazekas T, Rajwa P, Matsukawa A, Tsuboi I, Leapman MS, et al. (2025). Prostate-specific Antigen Response as a Prognostic Factor .... European urology focus, 40379533.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40379533/
Martínez Osorio CA, Sopeña Sutil R, Vilaseca Cabo A, Linares Espinós E, Ramírez Backhaus M, Gómez Rivas J, et al. (2025). Prostate-Specific Antigen Response at Six Months Predicts .... The Prostate, 40904242.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40904242/
Roy S, Sun Y, Chi KN, Ong M, Malone S, Wallis CJD, et al. (2024). Early Prostate-Specific Antigen Response by 6 Months Is .... The Journal of urology, 39058790.
Q.
How fast does stage 4 prostate cancer usually progress without treatment?
A.
Without treatment, stage 4 prostate cancer can progress quickly, often leading to a decrease in survival time. See below to understand more.
References:
Stenzl A, & Studer UE. (1993). Outcome of patients with untreated cancer of the prostate. European urology, 8365427.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8365427/
Hsiao W, Moses KA, Goodman M, Jani AB, Rossi PJ, & Master VA. (2010). Stage IV prostate cancer: survival differences in clinical T4, .... The Journal of urology, 20620410.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20620410/
Lu-Yao GL, & Yao SL. (1997). Population-based study of long-term survival in patients .... Lancet (London, England), 9093251.
Q.
What are the first signs of prostate cancer most men overlook?
A.
The first signs of prostate cancer that many men overlook include frequent urination, especially at night, and difficulty starting or stopping urination. See below to understand more.
References:
Hamilton W, Sharp DJ, Peters TJ, & Round AP. (2006). Clinical features of prostate cancer before diagnosis. The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners, 17007705.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17007705/
Hamilton W, & Sharp D. (2004). Symptomatic diagnosis of prostate cancer in primary care. The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners, 15296564.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15296564/
Merriel SWD, Funston G, & Hamilton W. (2018). Prostate Cancer in Primary Care. Advances in therapy, 30097885.
Q.
What determines whether someone with stage 4 prostate cancer has a good or bad prognosis?
A.
The prognosis for someone with stage 4 prostate cancer depends on factors like the extent of cancer spread, response to treatment, and overall health. See below to understand more.
References:
Emrich LJ, Priore RL, Murphy GP, & Brady MF. (1985). Prognostic factors in patients with advanced stage prostate .... Cancer research, 4027993.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4027993/
Matzkin H, Perito PE, & Soloway MS. (1993). Prognostic factors in metastatic prostate cancer. Cancer, 7504577.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7504577/
Soloway MS, Ishikawa S, van der Zwaag R, & Todd B. (1989). Prognostic factors in patients with advanced prostate cancer. Urology, 2775378.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1Grozescu T, Popa F. Prostate cancer between prognosis and adequate/proper therapy. J Med Life. 2017 Jan-Mar;10(1):5-12. PMID: 28255369; PMCID: PMC5304372.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5304372/Chang AJ, Autio KA, Roach M 3rd, Scher HI. High-risk prostate cancer-classification and therapy. Nat Rev Clin Oncol. 2014 Jun;11(6):308-23. doi: 10.1038/nrclinonc.2014.68. Epub 2014 May 20. PMID: 24840073; PMCID: PMC4508854.
https://www.nature.com/articles/nrclinonc.2014.68Murillo-Garzón V, Kypta R. WNT signalling in prostate cancer. Nat Rev Urol. 2017 Nov;14(11):683-696. doi: 10.1038/nrurol.2017.144. Epub 2017 Sep 12. PMID: 28895566.
https://www.nature.com/articles/nrurol.2017.144Schatten H. Brief Overview of Prostate Cancer Statistics, Grading, Diagnosis and Treatment Strategies. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2018;1095:1-14. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-95693-0_1. PMID: 30229546.
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-95693-0_1Komura K, Sweeney CJ, Inamoto T, Ibuki N, Azuma H, Kantoff PW. Current treatment strategies for advanced prostate cancer. Int J Urol. 2018 Mar;25(3):220-231. doi: 10.1111/iju.13512. Epub 2017 Dec 20. PMID: 29266472; PMCID: PMC6053280.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/iju.13512