Prostate Cancer: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 3 Nov 2026
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - About This Section - FAQs - Publications - Subtopics
Synopsis
Learn about prostate cancer symptoms, PSA testing, diagnosis, staging, risk factors, and treatment options including surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy.
At a Glance
- 1 - About 99 percent of prostate cancer cases occur in men over the age of 50.
- 2 - Roughly one third of diagnosed patients report urinary symptoms, while two thirds have no symptoms at all.
- 3 - Testosterone promotes prostate cancer growth, so hormone therapy that lowers testosterone is common for advanced cases.
- 4 - Most cases are found while the cancer is still confined to the prostate or nearby tissue, when five-year relative survival is nearly 100 percent.
Topic Definition
- Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer, also called carcinoma of the prostate, is the growth of cancerous cells in the prostate, a small gland in the male reproductive system that sits below the bladder. Most of these cancers develop slowly and stay contained within the gland, though some grow quickly and can spread to other areas of the body, most often the bones and lymph nodes. In its early stages it usually produces no noticeable signs, which is why screening tools such as the PSA blood test and the digital rectal exam matter so much. When symptoms do appear, they tend to involve urination - painful or frequent urination, trouble maintaining a steady stream, or blood in the urine - along with possible pain in the pelvis or back as the disease advances.
Overview
The presence of non-skin cancers in America has brought a certain amount of awareness to its citizens, but there is a need for more awareness where Prostate Cancer is concerned. Among American men, Prostate Cancer is the most common form of non-skin cancer. About one in eight American men will find themselves facing a diagnosis of Prostate Cancer at some point, about the same as the share of women who will face a diagnosis of Breast Cancer.
Prostate cancer, also known as carcinoma of the prostate, is the development of cancer in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, some grow relatively fast. The cancer cells may spread from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly the bones and lymph nodes. It may initially cause no symptoms. In later stages it can cause difficulty urinating, blood in the urine, or pain in the pelvis, back or when urinating.
Detection, Diagnosis and Staging of Prostate Cancer
Early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. Every so often, however, prostate cancer does cause symptoms, often similar to those of diseases such as benign prostatic hyperplasia. These include:
- Dysuria (painful urination)
- Hematuria (blood in the urine)
- Frequent urination, nocturia (increased urination at night)
- Difficulty starting and maintaining a steady stream of urine
- A study based on the 1998 Patient Care Evaluation in the US found that about a third of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer had one or more such symptoms, while two thirds had no symptoms.
Nearly ninety-percent of prostate cancer cases are detected while the tumor is still confined within the prostate itself, or within its immediate environment.
The good news is that the five-year relative survival rate for men diagnosed at this stage is nearly 100 percent. Unfortunately, men who are in this very early stage of prostate cancer do not exhibit signs or symptoms of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is usually detected through a blood test called the PSA or, 'Prostate-Specific Antigen,' test, or through a digital rectal exam (DRE).
To make a diagnosis of prostate cancer, a biopsy must be done of the prostate itself. The cells taken from the biopsy are then examined, and additional imaging tests are done that help doctors to make a diagnosis. The testing results also help the doctor to determine the stage the prostate cancer is at.
Treating Prostate Cancer
When Prostate Cancer is in the early stage, it is many times treated with active surveillance, or possibly surgery, and perhaps radiation treatment.
While pursuing active surveillance, doctors monitor the cancer closely through regular PSA blood testing and additional examinations until deciding to treat the prostate cancer with surgery or radiation treatment.
If a prostatectomy is performed, the prostate itself and the tissue surrounding it are removed surgically.
The doctor may also choose to pursue radiation therapy. Should the doctor decide to pursue radiation therapy, they will direct radiation at prostate cancer cells. This is done using high-intensity radiation beams, or with radiation-emitting pellets that are implanted.
Treatment of Advanced Prostate Cancer
Testosterone in men is known to promote the growth of Prostate Cancer, and for men who have advanced Prostate Cancer, hormone therapy to lower the levels of testosterone is a typical form of treatment.
Chemotherapy is another form of treatment used for men with advanced Prostate Cancer. Chemotherapy helps to distribute cancer-destroying medicines throughout the body.
There are also specialized therapies doctors use to target Prostate Cancer that has affected bones. Newer hormone medicines such as abiraterone and enzalutamide, and since 2022 a radioactive drug that targets the PSMA protein on prostate cancer cells (lutetium-177 vipivotide tetraxetan), have helped men with advanced prostate cancer live longer.
Prostate Cancer Statistics
- About 99% of cases occur in those over the age of 50.
- Having a first degree relative with the disease increases the risk 2 to 3-fold.
- In the United States, prostate cancer is more common in the African American population than the Caucasian population.
- Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide, and the most common non-skin cancer in men in the United States.
The American Cancer Society's estimates for prostate cancer in the United States for 2026 are:
- About 36,320 deaths from prostate cancer
- About 333,830 new cases of prostate cancer
- About 1 man in 8 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime.
- Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer. About 1 man in 44 will die of prostate cancer.
- Prostate cancer occurs mainly in older men. About 6 cases in 10 are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older, and it is rare before age 40. The average age at the time of diagnosis is about 67.
Research and the Future
The Prostate Cancer Foundation, government agencies, and biopharmaceutical companies continue to invest in research into Prostate Cancer. Due to their efforts, new treatments and therapies also continue to be studied in research laboratories and through clinical trials throughout the nation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is prostate cancer hereditary?
Yes, it can run in families, and having a first degree relative with the disease increases a mans risk by two to three times compared with men who have no family history.
At what age should men start prostate cancer screening?
Many men begin discussing PSA testing with their doctor around age 50, though those with higher risk factors such as family history or African American heritage may start conversations earlier.
What is a normal PSA level?
PSA levels are measured in nanograms per milliliter, and while lower readings are generally reassuring, there is no single cutoff that guarantees safety, so results are interpreted alongside age, history, and other tests.
Can prostate cancer be prevented?
There is no guaranteed way to prevent it, but maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, and eating a balanced diet may help lower overall risk and support general health.
Does prostate cancer affect sexual function?
Both the disease and its treatments, including surgery and radiation, can affect erectile function and ejaculation, so patients are encouraged to discuss these concerns with their care team.
How fast does prostate cancer spread?
Most prostate cancers grow slowly and may never cause serious harm, but a minority are aggressive and can spread more quickly to the bones and lymph nodes.
What is the survival rate for prostate cancer?
Survival is strongly linked to how early the cancer is found, and the five-year relative survival rate for men diagnosed while the cancer is confined to the prostate or nearby tissue is nearly 100 percent.
What is active surveillance for prostate cancer?
Active surveillance means closely watching a low-risk prostate cancer with regular PSA tests, exams, and sometimes biopsies or MRI scans instead of treating it right away. Treatment starts only if the cancer shows signs of growing, which spares many men side effects.
Curated and edited by Ian C. Langtree, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Disabled World. This section is maintained by the Disabled World editorial team. Last updated: