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Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that occurs in the prostate gland and belongs to hormone-dependent cancers. It is more common in men over 60 years old, progresses slowly but is highly insidious. Early stages may have no obvious symptoms and are easily confused with benign prostatic hyperplasia, often discovered only when bone metastasis or other complications occur. Family history, age, race, and androgen levels are the main influencing factors.
Globally, prostate cancer incidence is high in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia. In Asia, the incidence is lower than in Europe and the US, but with increased life expectancy and screening prevalence, incidence rates in China, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand are also rising. Without timely treatment, it can progress to advanced stages with distant metastases, threatening life.
Stage I: Localized within the gland, no obvious symptoms
The tumor is confined within the prostate, small in size, and has not spread, often discovered during physical exams or elevated serum PSA levels. The 5-year survival rate is about 95% or higher, with monitoring or radical surgery as the main treatment.
Stage II: Local progression, mild symptoms
The tumor has expanded to a larger area of the prostate but has not broken through the capsule. Early symptoms such as urinary abnormalities may appear. With timely treatment, the 5-year survival rate can still reach 90%.
Stage III: Breakthrough of capsule, local invasion
The tumor extends beyond the prostate capsule, invading adjacent tissues such as seminal vesicles. Symptoms worsen, with urinary difficulties, hematuria, or pelvic discomfort. The 5-year survival rate drops to 60%–70%.
Stage IV: Distant metastasis, systemic symptoms
At this stage, cancer cells have metastasized to lymph nodes, bones, lungs, and other organs, with systemic symptoms such as bone pain and weight loss. The 5-year survival rate is around 30%, and treatment focuses on delaying progression.
1. Early urinary abnormalities
Early symptoms include frequent nighttime urination, weak urine stream, and difficulty urinating, often mistaken for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
2. Recurrent urgency and painful urination
Some patients experience burning or pain during urination, with frequent urgency but small urine volumes.
3. Urinary retention and incomplete emptying
Bladder emptying becomes difficult, with interrupted urination or dribbling. Severe cases may require catheterization.
4. Hematuria or blood in semen
When cancer cells invade blood vessels, painless hematuria or blood in semen may occur, often a signal of tumor progression.
5. Perineal or pelvic discomfort
Some patients feel pressure or dull pain in the perineum or lower abdomen, suggesting invasion of surrounding structures.
6. Persistent bone pain
In late stages, pain in the lumbar spine, hips, or thoracic spine may occur, indicating bone metastasis.
7. Noticeable decline in sexual function
Patients often experience decreased libido and erectile dysfunction, partly due to psychological stress or hormonal suppression.
8. Fatigue and loss of appetite
With tumor progression, metabolic imbalance causes persistent fatigue, weight loss, and reduced appetite.
9. Leg edema or numbness
Advanced patients may develop lower limb edema or numbness, suggesting lymphatic obstruction or nerve compression.
10. Recurrent urinary tract infections
Due to urinary obstruction, residual urine increases, leading to repeated infections such as urethritis and cystitis.
Experts at United Life International Medical Center remind that early prostate cancer symptoms are easily overlooked, and men—especially middle-aged and elderly—should undergo regular checkups. When signals such as increased nighttime urination, urinary difficulties, or hematuria are detected, prompt PSA testing and consultation are necessary. Multidisciplinary treatment, including immune reconstruction cell therapy, helps improve survival rates, quality of life, and delays disease progression.
