5 Advanced Prostate Cancer Symptoms

Advanced prostate cancer symptoms often appear when malignant cells begin to spread from the prostate to other areas of the body.

Although some men do not experience early signs of prostate cancer, the disease can be detected during checkups or prostate screenings. This is why it is important for men to start yearly prostate cancer screenings at age 50 or between ages 40 and 45 for those at higher risk, such as African-American men and men with a father or brother who had prostate cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.

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Once the prostate cancer becomes advanced, it is not curable, according to Healthline. Research suggests the majority of time the cancer metastasizes in the hips, spine and pelvis.

The types of the cancer include locally advanced prostate cancer, where the cancer grows to nearby tissue, and metastatic prostate cancer, in which it spreads to other parts of the body. There is also recurrent prostate cancer, which returns after treatment.

Here are five advanced prostate cancer symptoms from the University of Michigan Health System:

1. Bone pain may become apparent as malignant cells begin to spread from the prostate gland.
2. Stiffness or pain in the hip, thighs, or back as the cancer may have spread to the spine or pelvic area.
3. Fatigue.
4. Unexplained weight loss.
5. Swelling in the legs and feet.

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Because advanced prostate cancer symptoms can be devastating for a patient when diagnosed as advanced cancer, men should not only consider yearly prostate cancer screenings, but also take note of possible early signs of prostate cancer if they appear.

Warning signs might include the need to urinate more than once during the night, difficulty starting to urinate, a weak flow or not being able to urinate, pain or a burning sensation when urinating, blood in the urine, or having pain in the lower back, upper thighs or hips, says WebMD.

Some early signs could also indicate an enlarged prostate, which is not cancerous.

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