Most have no obvious symptoms
Actually, most prostate cancer patients do not have any particular symptoms before being diagnosed.
The most common situation is that elevated levels of Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) are discovered through blood tests, leading to further examinations revealing prostate cancer.
Other possible symptoms
- Difficulty urinating, slow urine flow, or even painful urination: If prostate cancer obstructs the urethra or if the patient has concomitant benign prostatic hyperplasia, these symptoms may occur.
- Frequent urination, urgency: If prostate cancer invades the bladder, there may be symptoms of bladder sensitivity and overactivity.
- Hematuria, hemospermia: If prostate cancer has invaded the urethra or seminal vesicles, these symptoms may occur.
- Sexual dysfunction: If prostate cancer affects the nerves surrounding the prostate, it may affect sexual function.
Less common symptoms
The following are less common symptoms:
- Bone pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Enlarged lymph nodes
If these symptoms occur, it indicates that the tumor may have metastasized to the bones, lymph nodes, or other organs.
Not only prostate cancer but also other tumors may have similar symptoms. If patients experience similar symptoms, they should seek medical assistance.
Dr. Wu once encountered a patient who sought treatment for urinary obstruction. After thorough history taking, it was unexpectedly discovered that the patient had poor appetite, rapid weight loss, and wasting over the past few months, later diagnosed as metastatic prostate cancer.
There have also been patients who did not experience any urinary discomfort but sought consultation for neck lymph nodes. Tissue biopsy by an otolaryngologist revealed distant metastasis of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer with initial diagnosis of neck lymph node metastasis is relatively rare, and generally, the prognosis is relatively poor.
Conclusion: Prostate cancer is not easily diagnosed early based on symptoms alone. If these symptoms occur, remember to seek help from a urologist.
Related articles: