Prostate Cancer Symptoms

The following is a general breakdown of the most common symptoms and ailments affecting the prostate gland.

Since accepted prostate cancer symptoms are very similar to many of these medical conditions affecting the prostate gland and in some cases treatment as well, it can be difficult to even attempt self-diagnosis of a prostate condition.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms – Prostatitis [Inflammation of the Prostate]

Prostatitis is the most common of prostate problems, the prostate swells and begins to restrict the passing of urine through the urethra.

There are three types of inflammation:

acute bacterial prostatitis

chronic bacterial prostatitis

chronic nonbacterial prostatitis

Bacterial infection is the cause of acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis.

There are a number of causes of Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.

Symptoms: increasing frequency and urgency of urination, pain in the prostate gland, lower back or genitals, painful urination, excessive night-time urination, weakened stream, blood in urine or in the semen, painful ejaculation, a mild fever and repeated bladder infections. Pus or white blood cells in the urine in the case of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.

Treatment: Transurethral resection of the prostate

Medication-drugs: finasteride, dutasteride, herbal treatments.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms – Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Most older men develop some degree of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia otherwise known as BPH. This is a swelling of the prostate gland and the good news is that it is not related to prostate cancer and numerous prescriptions are available to treat this condition. Hormone changes like the lowering of testosterone levels and increased percentages of estrogen and dihydrotestosterone in the bloodstream are suspected causes of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Symptoms: Involuntary urination, weak stream, difficulty urinating, painful urination and in some extreme cases even the complete inability to urinate.

Treatment: Transurethral resection of the prostate

Medication-drugs: finasteride, terazosin, dutasteride, doxazosin, tamsulosin and alfuzosin, herbal treatments.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms – Corpora Amylacea Buildup

As men age and in particular older men, usually over the age of 60, experience corpora amylacea (amyloid). This condition is a dense accumulation of calcified proteinaceous material. The calcified material is an insoluble fibrous protein. This proteinaceous material can buildup inside of the urinary system, and may even block the lumens of the prostate or contribute to cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Corpora Amylacea Buildup is a problem in many parts of the body, but is particularly noticeable in the prostate and urethra because of the effects on urination.

Symptoms: Difficulty urinating, painful or burning urination.

Treatment: Surgical removal.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms – Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer is the most critical of prostate conditions. Prostate cancer develops mainly in men over the age of sixty-five.  Prostate cancer is a disease where the cancer develops in the prostate gland. The cancer develops when the cells of the prostate gland mutate and begin to multiply beyond control. These cells may spread from the prostate to other parts of the body, especially the bones and lymph nodes.

Prostate cancer may cause pain, difficulty in urinating, erectile dysfuction together with other symptoms. If the cancer spreads to other parts of the body it may be necessary to remove the prostate gland completely. This form of cancer is almost unheard of in men under the age of forty-five, and may be a direct result of the effects of aging and continuous prostate usage.

Symptoms: Difficulty starting urine flow, painful urination, loss of weight or appetite, blood in the urine and painful ejaculation.

Treatment:

- prostate removal or prostatectomy

- brachytherapy

- radiation therapy

- hormone therapy (radioactive seed implanting)

- chemotherapy

- orchiectomy (removal of the testicles)

Information in this format may help with self-diagnosis, but many of these medical symptoms can also point to other conditions that are nothing to do with actual prostate cancer. They may require different treatment, or no treatment at all.