Learn About Cancer »Types of Cancer »Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer symptoms, if they appear at all, are similar to other health conditions, including benign prostatic hyperplasia, or prostate enlargement, a common condition in older men. Symptoms generally appear more suddenly if prostate cancer exists.

If you experience one or more of the symptoms listed below, inform your doctor or urologist and ask about being tested for prostate cancer.

• Painful or burning urination
• Inability to urinate or difficulty in starting to urinate
• Frequent or urgent need to urinate
• Trouble emptying the bladder completely
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Continual pain in the lower back, pelvis or thighs

Symptoms of advanced prostate cancer may include blood in the urine, swollen lymph nodes in the groin area, impotence and pain in the pelvis, spine, hips or ribs. These symptoms are not specific and may be due to other medical problems and do not always mean that a man has prostate cancer.