Prostate Cancer Symptoms and Types

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men in the U.S., second only to skin cancer. It starts in the glandular cells of the prostate gland. It is usually a slow-growing cancer, although there are aggressive types of prostate cancer that grow faster.

Men have about a one in eight lifetime chance of developing prostate cancer. Incidence goes up with age, and prostate cancer is most often diagnosed in men between ages 65 and 74.

Screening to find prostate cancer as early as possible and more effective treatments have made a difference in the outlook for men with prostate cancer. In general, the disease has very good survival rates, although African American men are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced disease and have higher death rates from prostate cancer — a little over 37% for Black men vs. 19% for all races combined (percent per 100,000). (SEER data, U.S., (2018-2022, Age-Adjusted)

When prostate cancer has not spread beyond the prostate gland or to nearby organs, 100% of men are alive five years or more after diagnosis. The survival rate dips to about 37% when cancer has spread or metastasized. Typical locations for metastasis are the lymph nodes and bones. (SEER 22; Excluding IL/MA; 2014 – 2020, All Races, Males by SEER Combined Summary Stage)

Experienced Team

The right team is critical to your best possible outcome. Choosing a team of physicians who are experienced in treating prostate cancer will give you access to the latest treatments. Ask questions and learn as much as possible so you can make an informed decision about your team and treatment.

Our prostate cancer experts meet regularly as a multidisciplinary team to discuss the most effective treatments for each individual. You benefit from the perspectives of multiple experts, who collaborate to arrive at the most effective treatment plan. Our prostate cancer team members understand and apply the most effective research, technology and expertise to provide you with the best possible outcomes.

We treat all types of prostate cancer, including early stage, advanced stage and rare types. When standard treatments have not worked, our team can provide other options, including clinical trials.

What Causes Prostate Cancer

There are no clear causes of prostate cancer, other than changes in a cell’s DNA that can lead to abnormal growth and development of cancer.

Prostate Cancer Risk Factors

All men are at risk of developing prostate cancer. The best strategies against prostate cancer are being aware of your own risk factors and staying vigilant about your health. Be sure to get regular check-ups and talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening. Screening can detect prostate cancer early. If you have a prostate cancer diagnosis, an appropriate treatment plan with a prostate cancer specialist will give you the best possible outcome.

Several risk factors make it more likely that you will get prostate cancer, some of which you can control and some that you can’t control.

Risk factors you can’t control that can increase the risk of developing prostate cancer are:

• Family history — Men with a father, brother or son who has had prostate cancer are at greater risk for developing it themselves.
• Gene mutations.
• Age — As age goes up, so does the risk for getting prostate cancer.
• Race — African American men are at higher risk of developing prostate cancer because they have higher rates of developing the disease and dying from it than men of other racial or ethnic groups in the U.S. It is not known why prostate cancer is more common in African American men than in others; however, possible reasons include social and environmental factors, as well as differences in the biology of the disease in African American men.

Several studies provide more information about African American men and prostate cancer. Learn more :

• Racial disparity in prostate cancer in the African American population with actionable ideas and novel immunotherapies — PubMed
• Why do African–American men face higher risks for lethal prostate cancer? — PMC

Risk factors you can control to help prevent prostate cancer:

• Quit smoking. Smoking is linked to many types of cancer and other diseases. It can not only cause changes in your cells that lead to cancer but also block your body from fighting it. Men who have prostate cancer and smoke are more likely to die from the disease when compared to men with prostate cancer who don’t smoke.
• Keep a healthy weight. Being overweight increases the risk of developing a more aggressive type of prostate cancer and experiencing disease recurrence after treatment. Obesity is also linked with a greater likelihood of dying from the disease.
• Eat a healthy diet. A diet high in fat is connected with a greater risk of developing prostate cancer, including more aggressive prostate cancer types.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Supplement with vitamin D as recommended by your doctor.
• Exercise regularly. Lack of exercise is linked with increased risk of developing prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms

Prostate cancer does not typically cause symptoms — unless it has become advanced. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, see your doctor right away.

• Problems urinating
• A slow urine stream
• Blood in the semen
• Pelvic area discomfort
• Bone pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Erectile dysfunction

Conditions like prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (also known as BPH or enlarged prostate) can cause some of the same symptoms.

Different Types of Prostate Cancer

Most prostate cancers, about 95%, are a type called adenocarcinoma. This type of prostate cancer develops from the cells that produce prostate fluid, which combines with sperm to make semen. Prostate adenocarcinomas are of two types:

• Acinar: Starts in the cells lining the prostate gland.
• Ductal: Develops in the cells lining the tubes within the prostate gland. Ductal adenocarcinoma tends to be more aggressive than acinar. It grows and spreads faster.

Rare Types of Prostate Cancer

Rare types of prostate cancer can be aggressive and can spread quickly. Three types of prostate cancers are considered rare.

1. Small cell carcinoma, representing about 1% of prostate cancers, starts in small round cells within the prostate gland. Small cell carcinoma can spread fast and usually has metastasized to the bones or other areas in the body by the time it is diagnosed.
2. Squamous cell carcinoma makes up less than 1% of prostate cancer cases. It develops in the flat cells covering the prostate, is aggressive and spreads fast.
3. Transitional cell cancer, also called urothelial cancer of the prostate, doesn’t arise in the prostate gland. Instead, it can start in the bladder or within the urethra and spread to the prostate gland. It’s rare and represents about 5% of prostate cancer cases.

Advanced Prostate Cancer and Complications

When prostate cancer becomes advanced, it can lead to complications.

• Anemia
• Blood in the urine
• Bone pain or fractures
• Chronic kidney disease
• Pain
• Spinal cord compression
• Urinary incontinence or urinary retention (the bladder doesn’t empty at all or doesn’t empty completely)
• Weight loss