What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?

Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
Updated on June 07, 2025
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Patients with prostate cancer exhibit some signs before the onset of the disease. Patients may experience an increase in urination frequency, urgency, and pain similar to the clinical manifestations of urethritis, and some patients may present with hematuria. Moreover, prostate cancer will exhibit hyperplasia and enlargement as well as abnormal urine retention. As the disease progresses, prostate cancer lesions will spread to surrounding areas, presenting clinical symptoms such as pain, bleeding, or difficulty urinating. Clinically, some laboratory and imaging tests will reveal significantly elevated levels of prostate-specific antigen and prostate ultrasound, among other tests, might show abnormal nodular lesions.

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The difference between benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer.

Prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer are sometimes very difficult to distinguish clinically, as both diseases occur in elderly men, can cause lower urinary tract symptoms, and lead to elevated PSA levels. However, prostatic hyperplasia generally has a longer medical history, whereas prostate cancer has a shorter history and progresses more quickly. During a digital rectal exam for prostatic hyperplasia, the gland appears enlarged and the surface is smooth. In contrast, during a prostate exam, the gland may show irregular enlargement, a rough surface, and the tumor feels firm. When these two are difficult to distinguish, considering a prostate biopsy may be advisable.

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Can prostate cancer be detected by ultrasound B?

Prostate cancer can generally be detected through ultrasound, as it reveals nodules in the prostate. By examining the internal echoes of these nodules, one can differentiate between benign and malignant prostate conditions. Thus, in foreign countries, ultrasound, specifically prostate color Doppler ultrasound examinations, are used as a screening method for prostate cancer. In China, screening methods also include traditional digital rectal examinations and generally involve blood tests for specific prostate tumor markers, namely PSA. These tests are combined with prostate ultrasound for a comprehensive assessment.

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Prostate cancer IV is stage 4.

Prostate cancer stage IV refers to stage four prostate cancer, which is a common type of male reproductive organ tumor, particularly prevalent among elderly men. Stage four prostate cancer means that the tumor is not confined to the prostate and has already shown corresponding distant metastasis. The most common sites of metastasis for prostate cancer are the bones, followed by the lungs, liver, and others. When metastasis of prostate cancer occurs, it is considered to be at a late stage, and the primary treatments include endocrine therapy, chemotherapy, etc., with a poor prognosis.

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How is prostate cancer treated?

The treatment principles of prostate cancer vary with different stages. For clinical stage T1-T2N0M0 prostate cancer, which is early-stage, patients can choose radical prostatectomy or radical radiotherapy. For patients with locally advanced prostate cancer, specifically staged T3 or T4 but without lymph node or distant metastasis, options include radiotherapy combined with hormonal therapy or solely hormonal therapy. For patients with distant metastasis, which indicates advanced-stage prostate cancer, treatment primarily involves hormonal therapy. If hormonal therapy fails, chemotherapy may be utilized. Additionally, for pain caused by bone metastasis, local radiotherapy or radionuclide therapy can be integrated into the comprehensive treatment approach.

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What indicators are checked for prostate cancer?

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) is a glycoprotein produced by the vesicles in the cytoplasm of normal or pre-cancerous epithelial cells of the prostate. It is the most specific and sensitive tumor marker for prostate cancer. Therefore, in patients with prostate cancer, we generally conduct blood tests for PSA, especially in screening for prostate cancer, assessing the effectiveness of treatments, and for the prognosis of prostate patients, among other aspects. Additionally, other examinations are combined, such as digital rectal exams, which can also serve as a screening method for prostate cancer. Moreover, CT or MRI scans of the prostate and pelvis, as well as ultrasound examinations of the prostate, can be used in conjunction with the tumor marker PSA for a comprehensive evaluation.