What should you know about intermediate prostate cancer?

The category is based on findings such as PSA, biopsy grade and tumour extent, examination, and imaging when needed. It is not one identical diagnosis: some cancers in this group are more favourable than others. Your age, general health, urinary function, and preferences also shape the plan.

Some men have no symptoms. Others notice difficulty passing urine, a weaker stream, urgency, or waking at night; these symptoms can also come from non-cancerous prostate enlargement. The symptom does not by itself show how advanced the cancer is.

Options may include active surveillance for selected cancers, prostate removal surgery, external radiotherapy, or brachytherapy. Hormone treatment may be added in some situations. Robotic surgery is one way prostate removal may be performed, while targeted radioisotope therapy and bone-strengthening therapy are generally considered in particular advanced settings rather than for every intermediate case.

Ask how each option may affect urine control, bowel function, erections, fertility, and recovery. Keep appointments for PSA monitoring or treatment reviews, and report new urinary changes rather than waiting for the next visit.

Seek urgent care if you cannot pass urine, develop severe lower abdominal pain, see heavy blood in the urine, or have fever with painful urination. Contact your cancer team promptly for new bone pain, leg weakness, or loss of bladder or bowel control.

Ask which findings place your cancer in the intermediate group, whether surveillance is suitable, how surgery compares with radiotherapy or brachytherapy, whether hormone treatment is advised, and how side effects will be managed.