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C
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5.
PSA tests
6.
Diagnosis
7.
Treatment
8.
Takeaway
Chronic back pain can sometimes be a
symptom of advanced prostate cancer. However, there are many other possible
causes of back pain.
The
prostate is a walnut-sized gland that sits below the bladder and wraps around
the urethra. This gland is part of the male reproductive system and is involved
in the production of semen.
According
to the American Cancer Society (ACS), prostate cancer is the second most
common type of cancer among American males, affecting 1
in 9 over the course of their lifetimes.
The
outlook for people with prostate cancer is encouraging, particularly when
doctors diagnose it early. For all stages of prostate cancer, the ACS report 5- and 10-year relative survival rates of 99
percent and 98 percent, respectively.
However,
prostate cancer is still a leading cause of cancer death, so regular screenings
and prompt attention to possible symptoms are very important.
In
this article, we look at the link between back pain and
prostate cancer. We also describe other causes of back pain and explore
prostate cancer in detail, including its symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis,
testing, and treatment.
Can back pain be a symptom of prostate cancer?
Prostate
cancer cells may spread to a person's bones.
There
can be a connection between back pain and prostate cancer, but back pain alone
is not necessarily a sign of the disease.
In
advanced prostate cancer, cancer cells spread beyond the prostate to other
parts of the body. These cells usually spread to the bones first, and doctors refer to
this as bone metastasis.
If
prostate cancer spreads to the bones, it most often reaches the spine, ribs,
and hips. This occurs in stage 4 prostate cancer, and it can cause pain.
According to ZERO, an advocacy group, bone metastases will affect more
than 60 percent of men with advanced prostate cancer.
Individuals
with chronic back pain that has no obvious cause should see a physician for an
evaluation.
Other causes of back pain
Back
pain, particularly in the short term, is a very common medical complaint.
Possible causes can include:
·
strains, sprains, and overexertion
·
injuries
·
damaged, ruptured, or deteriorating
discs in the spine
·
spinal stenosis
·
pressure on the spinal nerves
·
sciatica
·
abnormalities of the spine, such
as scoliosis
·
arthritis and other
inflammatory diseases
·
infections
·
abdominal aortic aneurysms
Other symptoms of prostate cancer
Prostate
cancer usually has no early warning signs. Because of this, many doctors and
health authorities recommend screening men at risk.
When
prostate cancer does cause symptoms, they may include:
·
a frequent, urgent need to urinate
·
nocturia, or needing to urinate
frequently during the night
·
reduced urine flow
·
trouble starting or stopping the
flow of urine
·
pain with urination or ejaculation
·
blood in the urine or semen
However,
these can also be symptoms of other conditions, including:
·
benign prostatic hyperplasia, which
is enlargement of the prostate and very common in older men
·
prostatitis, which is inflammation of the
prostate
Neither
of these conditions involves cancer, but it is still important to see a doctor
for evaluation and treatment.
Risk factors for prostate cancer
An
unhealthful diet may be a risk factor for prostate cancer.
One
of the most significant risk factors is aging. According to the ACS, this type
of cancer is rareamong males aged under 40 years. The average age at
diagnosis is around 66 years old.
Another
risk factor is ethnicity, but doctors do not understand why. The ACS state that
prostate cancer is more common in African-American males and in those from
the Caribbean with African descendants.
The
disease is less common in Asian-American and Hispanic, or Latino, males than in
non-Hispanic whites.
Having
a family member with the disease may also increase a person's chances of
developing it.
Other
risk factors may include:
·
an unhealthful diet
·
obesity
·
exposure to certain chemicals
When to see a doctor
Prostate
cancer often causes no symptoms in the early stages. According to the National Cancer Institute, prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
screening is the most common method of detecting this cancer in the United
States.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend that males
ages 55–69 discuss the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening with
their doctors.
People
who have regular back pain and are concerned about the risk of prostate cancer
should also speak to their doctors.
Anyone
who has already been diagnosed with prostate cancer and who begins to
experience chronic back pain should see a doctor as soon as possible. Unexplained
back pain can indicate that the cancer has spread.
When to have PSA tests
The
prostate gland produces a protein called PSA. Levels of this protein increase
when the prostate is dealing with irritation, swelling, or the growth of
cancerous cells.
High
levels of PSA in the blood do not necessarily mean that an individual has
prostate cancer, but they can suggest that further tests are necessary.
The Prostate
Cancer Research Institute (PCRI) recommend that most men start
having PSA tests at the age of 45.
Males
with a higher risk of developing the disease, including those who are
African-American or who have a family history of prostate cancer, should start
undergoing these tests at age 40.
Diagnosis
If
PSA tests indicate prostate cancer, a doctor will usually order further tests.
The PCRI suggest
that people with high PSA levels should consider undergoing 3T
multiparametric MRI scanning. This creates images of
the prostate, and it can help doctors identify potential areas of cancerous
activity.
The
next step is usually a needle biopsy, in which a healthcare professional takes
a sample of the prostate for examination in a laboratory.
Doctors
can diagnose bone metastases using a bone scan or other imaging tests.
A
bone scan involves injecting a small amount of radioactive dye into a person's
vein. The healthcare professional then scans the body with a special camera, and
the dye helps reveal bone damage that may result from cancer.
Treatment
A
person can take over-the-counter medication to help relieve back pain symptoms.
There
are a variety of treatment options for people with prostate cancer and back
pain.
Doctors
often suggest watchful waiting, or no treatment, in the early stages of the
disease. For other people, they may recommend a prostatectomy, which involves
removing the prostate and some of the surrounding tissue.
Another
treatment option is radiation therapy, which
consists of using targeted radiation beams to kill the cancer cells.
For
people with bone metastases, a doctor may inject radioactive drugs called
radiopharmaceuticals. These drugs specifically target and kill cancer cells in
the bones. Radiopharmaceuticals can relieve bone pain and help a person live
longer.
Doctors
may also prescribe medicines to prevent complications from bone metastases.
Common
treatments for symptoms of back pain include:
·
using heat packs or cold packs
·
gentle stretching and low impact
activities
·
strengthening exercises
·
over-the-counter or prescription
pain medication
Takeaway
Prostate
cancer is common among males in the U.S. It usually progresses slowly and
responds well to treatment. Most people who receive a diagnosis of prostate
cancer do not die from it.
Back
pain can sometimes occur with advanced prostate cancer. However, back pain on
its own does not necessarily indicate that a person has the disease. This pain
is a common medical complaint, and there are many possible causes.
Anyone
experiencing back pain and who is about the risk of prostate cancer should
consider speaking to a doctor.
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