Prostate Cancer Symptoms

For an extensive overview of what can go wrong with the prostate, read Chapter 2 "Little Gland, Big Trouble" from the book Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer.

If the cancer is caught at its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms.  Some men, however, will experience symptoms that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer, including:

• A need to urinate frequently, especially at night;
• Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine;
• Weak or interrupted flow of urine;
• Painful or burning urination;
• Difficulty in having an erection;
• Painful ejaculation;
• Blood in urine or semen; or
• Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs.

Because these symptoms can also indicate the presence of other diseases or disorders, such as BPH or prostatitis, men who experience any of these symptoms will undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms.