The prostate gland, a small structure located near the bladder and colon, makes up a part of the male reproductive system. Prostate cancer, a disease stemming from the uncontrolled growth of prostate cells, represents a common form of cancer in males. The National Cancer Institute indicates that prostate cancer led to over 215,000 new cancer diagnoses and more than 32,000 deaths in the U.S. in 2009. Patients with prostate cancer may suffer from a number of unpleasant symptoms, which can be attributed to various aspects of prostate cancer growth.
Abnormal Ejaculate
Some patients with prostate cancer suffer from abnormal ejaculate, such as the presence of blood in semen, according to the Canadian Cancer Society. Under normal conditions, specific prostate cancer cells generate and secrete prostate cancer fluid. The fluid gets expelled into the seminal vesicles and ultimately forms a component of ejaculate. In prostate cancer development, cancer cells attack healthy prostate tissue, and this damage to tissue causes blood leakage into the seminal vesicles to appear in the semen. Patients experiencing bloody ejaculate should seek medical attention to address the possibility of prostate cancer.
Need to Urinate Frequently
Prostate cancer patients also frequently suffer from abnormal urination, including the need to urinate frequently. The National Cancer Institute indicates that this symptom most commonly presents at night and may interrupt the patient's sleeping patterns due to a need for regular urination.
This symptom may develop due to the proximity of the prostate gland to the bladder and the urethra. During prostate cancer growth, cancer cells begin to grow towards the bladder and urethra, causing an increase in pressure on the organs responsible for urination. Furthermore, cancer growth within the urethra can interfere with the flow of urine and prevent the bladder from emptying during urination. All together, the increased pressure on the bladder as well as difficulty emptying the bladder as a result of prostate cancer growth lead to a need for frequent urination.
Pain
A common symptom of prostate cancer is pain in the pelvis and abdomen, which results due to the growth of the cancerous prostate tumor. As the prostate cancer grows, the tumor places pressure on other organs within the pelvis and abdominal cavity. The cancer cells can press on nerves, leading to chronic pain that worsens as the cancer progresses. In more advanced stages of prostate cancer, the cancer cells can grow within the colon, leading to excruciating and potentially fatal bowel obstructions. Unexplained pain should be discussed with a medical professional to find the source of the discomfort and test for the presence of prostate cancer. During cancer diagnosis and treatment, patients may relieve pain and discomfort through the use of over-the-counter or prescription painkillers.
