Introduction
Prostate cancer is known in medical terminology as prostate cancer. This is a collective term for various common types of cancer that originate from stem cells of certain glandular parts of the prostate. These are often so-called adenocarcinomas.
The types of prostate cancer are malignant in different ways. In addition, the individual stages have a different prognosis. In technical jargon, this is referred to as different degrees of malignancy, which are decisive for the prognosis and treatment. In the final stage of prostate cancer, the prognosis is unfavorable. Palliative treatment, including care of relatives, is the main focus.
End-stage symptoms of prostate cancer
Prostate cancer develops in two thirds of cases in the outer prostate gland area. As a result, the urethra, which is located on the inside, does not narrow until it is in an advanced stage. As a result, those affected do not notice the prostate cancer for a long time.
Since in the early stages of prostate cancer, patients often suffer from no symptoms, the mere presence of symptoms usually indicates an advanced stage of the disease. Certain laboratory values in the blood, sperm or urine can provide indications of an advanced stage of prostate cancer. Blood in the urine or semen is rare.
If the tumor has grown strongly, it can press on the urethra and cause problems urinating. The consequences can be a weakened or interrupted urine stream, a reduced urine volume, difficult urination and an increased urge to urinate, especially at night. Urination can also be painful.
However, if there are no other symptoms apart from the urination problems, these problems more often indicate a benign enlargement of the prostate or an inflammation of the urethra. However, only a doctor can differentiate this. Furthermore, erectile dysfunction, pain during erection and reduced ejaculation can indicate advanced prostate cancer.
Some patients can localize pain in the prostate. There may also be pain and swelling in the area of the pelvis and legs. In addition, compression of the spinal column with associated pain and sensory disturbances in the back area can be caused.
Permanent bone pain and fractures can also be triggered. The symptoms can be very different in severity. In order to be able to assess the actual spread of the prostate carcinoma, an ultrasound image is required. Furthermore, a biopsy is necessary to take several tissue samples. In some cases, it is only possible to assess how far the disease has progressed during a surgical procedure.
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