Symptoms of Prostate Cancer: What to Know

Symptoms can include a weaker or interrupted urine stream, difficulty starting or stopping urination, needing to urinate more often, or waking during the night to pass urine. Blood in the urine or semen, difficulty getting or keeping an erection, and discomfort in the lower back, hips, or pelvis can also occur. These symptoms are not specific to cancer; an enlarged prostate, infection, or another urinary problem may cause similar changes.

The prostate sits below the bladder and surrounds part of the urethra. A prostate change that narrows this passage can affect urine flow. Prostate cancer may also produce no symptoms while it is confined to the prostate, so the absence of urinary trouble does not rule it out.

Persistent bone pain, unexplained tiredness, or unintentional weight loss needs medical assessment because advanced prostate cancer can affect areas beyond the prostate. These symptoms have many possible explanations, so they do not establish a diagnosis on their own. Learn more about the condition on the Prostate Cancer page.

Arrange an appointment if urinary, sexual, or pelvic symptoms persist, recur, or interfere with sleep and daily activities. Record when they began, whether they are changing, how often you urinate, and any blood, pain, fever, or medication use. Difficulty passing urine is a symptom that deserves its own medical assessment.

A clinician may ask about your history, examine the prostate, and discuss tests such as a blood test or imaging. The findings guide whether further evaluation is needed; a symptom alone cannot confirm prostate cancer.

Seek urgent medical help if you cannot pass urine, have heavy or persistent blood in the urine, develop severe back or hip pain, or have new leg weakness, numbness, or loss of bladder or bowel control. Fever with painful urination or feeling acutely unwell also needs prompt assessment, because infection or blockage may require timely treatment.

Ask: What other conditions could explain these symptoms? Which examination or tests are appropriate for me? What changes should make me seek urgent help? If cancer is diagnosed, which options might be considered, such as radiotherapy, brachytherapy, prostate removal surgery, or robotic cancer surgery?