What does prostate cancer look like

It might be done if the cancer is small, is not causing any problems, and seems to be growing very slowly. Some younger men who are healthy and have small slow-growing cancer may consider active surveillance. This is watching the cancer more closely and then treating it if symptoms start. There are many types of surgery for prostate cancer. Some are done to try to cure the cancer; others are done to control the cancer or make symptoms better. Talk to the doctor about the kind of surgery planned and what you can expect.

Any type of surgery can have risks and side effects. Be sure to ask the doctor what you can expect. If you have problems, let your doctors know so they can help you. Radiation uses high-energy rays like x-rays to kill cancer cells. There are different ways to use radiation to treat prostate cancer. It can be aimed at the prostate gland from a machine outside the body. Or in some cases, small radioactive pellets, or seeds, each about the size of a grain of rice, can be put right into your prostate.

If your doctor suggests radiation treatment, talk about what side effects might happen. The most common side effects of radiation to the prostate are diarrhea, leaking stool, or blood in the stool; having to pee pass urine a lot, leaking urine, burning when you pee, or blood in your urine; erection problems; feeling very tired fatigue ; and fluid build-up in your legs.

Most side effects get better after radiation ends. Some might last longer. Talk to your doctor about what you can expect. This treatment reduces your levels of male hormones, called androgens, or stops them from working.

This often makes prostate cancers shrink or grow more slowly. But hormone therapy does not cure prostate cancer. Changing your hormone levels can cause side effects like less desire for sex, trouble getting an erection, hot flashes, bone thinning, and weight gain. Talk to your doctor about what you can expect from your hormone treatment. Chemo is the use of drugs to fight cancer. The drugs may be given into a vein or taken as pills. These drugs go into the blood and spread through the body.

Chemo is given in cycles or rounds. Each round of treatment is followed by a break. Chemo may be used if the cancer has spread outside the prostate gland. Chemo can make you feel very tired, sick to your stomach, and cause your hair to fall out. But these problems go away after chemo treatment ends. There are ways to treat most chemo side effects.

If you have side effects, talk to your doctor so they can help. If prostate cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it almost always goes to the bones first. These areas of cancer spread can cause pain and weak bones that might break. Medicines that can help strengthen the bones and lower the chance of fracture are bisphosphonates and denosumab.

Sometimes, radiation, radiopharmaceuticals, or pain medicines are given for pain control. A serious side effect of bisphosphonates and denosumab is damage to the jaw, also called osteonecrosis of the jaw ONJ. Most people will need to get approval from their dentist before starting one of these drugs.

Prostate cancer symptoms. Early prostate cancer symptoms Because of the proximity of the prostate gland to the bladder and urethra, prostate cancer may be accompanied by a variety of urinary symptoms, especially in the early stages.

Some early prostate cancer signs include: Burning or pain during urination Difficulty urinating, or trouble starting and stopping while urinating More frequent urges to urinate at night Loss of bladder control Decreased flow or velocity of urine stream Blood in urine hematuria Blood in semen Erectile dysfunction Painful ejaculation. Advanced prostate cancer symptoms Men with advanced prostate cancer may experience additional symptoms.

Signs of metastatic prostate cancer may include: Swelling in legs or pelvic area Numbness or pain in the hips, legs or feet Bone pain that persists or leads to fractures. Recurrent prostate cancer symptoms Prostate cancer that returns after treatment is considered recurrent.

Symptoms include: Blood in the urine Difficulty urinating Lower back pain Fatigue Difficulty breathing Jaundice Patients should discuss any symptoms with their doctor and ask about scheduling regular PSA tests after treatment.

Testing options for prostate cancer There is no one age for prostate cancer testing, but the American Cancer Society ACS makes recommendations about screenings. According to the ACS, patients in any of these groups should consider asking their doctor about testing: Men age 50 or older who have an average risk of prostate cancer and a life expectancy of at least 10 more years Men age 45 or older with a high risk, including African-American men and those with a first-degree relative brother or father who had prostate cancer before age 65 Men age 40 or older who have a higher risk, such as more than one first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age.

Donate to Gateway for Cancer Research Make a difference in the fight against cancer by donating to cancer research. Donate now. Gateway for Cancer Research is a c 3 non-profit organization. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Radical prostatectomy adult. Rock CL, et al. American Cancer Society guideline for diet and physical activity for cancer prevention. Distress management. Thompson RH, et al. Radical prostatectomy for octogenarians: How old is too old?

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BJU International. Warner KJ. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. Related Digital rectal exam Flaxseed: Does it affect risk of prostate cancer? Frequent sex: Does it protect against prostate cancer? Prostate cancer Prostate cancer brachytherapy: Can I pass radiation to others? Prostate cancer metastasis: Where does prostate cancer spread?