About the Author
Dr. Kiran Paranjape
A Professional Orthopedic Surgeon.
As the prostate starts growing it encroaches on the urethra reducing its lumen i.e. empty space inside the urethral tube. Hence when a person tries to urinate, he develops "difficulty in starting urination".
When the cancer occupies a large part of its lumen patient may develop "inability to urinate". Because of frequent straining, the bladder is not completely emptied causing "a need to urinate frequently". Restricted space inside urethra cases "weak or interrupted flow of urine". Incomplete emptying of bladder results into residual stagnant urine which may develop bacterial infection leading to "burning or painful urination".
Warning Signs
After a certain period of time, the encroaching cancer tissue may erode the urethral lining & enter urethral cavity. This results in "blood in urine or semen". Similarly the cancer tissue may erode through the covering of the prostate glands to engulf the nerves of autonomic nervous system responsible for erection of penis. This may cause "difficulty or inability to have an erection". Encroachment on the nerves responsible for contraction of seminal vesicles leading to ejaculation causes "painful ejaculation". If the cancer spreads further to pelvis i.e. lower part of abdomen, it may spread to bones through blood. This leads to "pain & stiffness in low back".
All these warning signs need to be monitored carefully as they indicate local or distant metastasis spread of cancer which is associated with poor prognosis.
Check my next article on "Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer".
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for the general public awareness only. The patient is advised to take proper medical opinion before undergoing any treatment mentioned herein. The author and publisher are not responsible for any consequences thereof.
Published by Dr. Kiran Paranjape on November 3, 2005 07:26 AM
