Urologist Dr Sashiraj Singh lists 3 everyday symptoms of prostate cancer; shares when to seek expert care

Prostate cancer shows subtle symptoms in early stages, which makes detecting it difficult. Dr Singh highlights red flags to watch out for. 

 Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men. However, in its early stages, it often develops silently without any noticeable warning signs.

In an interaction , urologist Dr Sashiraj Singh explained that because the prostate gland sits directly beneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body), most physical symptoms only appear once a tumour grows large enough to alter these surrounding structures.

He went on to elaborate on how to recognise early symptoms and when to consider seeking medical care.

What are the early symptoms of prostate cancer?

“As a prostate tumour alters the surrounding anatomy, it typically disrupts normal urinary and reproductive functions,” stated Dr Singh. The most common signs of the condition are listed as follows.

1. Urinary changes: A frequent or urgent need to urinate, especially waking up multiple times during the night, points to prostate cancer. “You may also notice a weak, hesitant, or interrupted urine stream, or a persistent feeling that your bladder hasn't completely emptied,” shared the urologist.
2. Pain or discomfort: This involves a painful or burning sensation during urination or ejaculation.
3. Blood in urine: Visible blood in your urine or semen is a serious warning sign, according to Dr Singh.

Advanced signs: If the cancer spreads beyond the prostate gland, it can cause deep, persistent bone pain in the hips, spine, or chest, unexplained weight loss, or a sudden onset of erectile dysfunction.

“It is vital to note that many of these symptoms are frequently caused by non-cancerous conditions, such as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) - a common, age-related enlargement of the prostate - or a prostate infection (prostatitis). However, an expert medical evaluation is the only definitive way to rule out malignancy,” pointed out the urologist.

When to seek medical help

A person should schedule an appointment with a urologist if they experience any persistent changes in their urinary habits or unexplained pelvic discomfort, noted Dr Singh.

There are certain “red flag" symptoms that require immediate medical evaluation. These include:

1. Visible blood in urine or semen.
2. A sudden, painful, and complete inability to urinate.
3. Severe pain in the lower back, hips, or pelvic region accompanied by numbness or weakness in the legs.

“Beyond reacting to symptoms, proactive screening is essential. Healthcare organisations recommend that men at average risk discuss the pros and cons of screening options, such as the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test, with their doctor starting at age 50,” stated Dr Singh.

If an individual has a first-degree family history of prostate cancer, they should consider starting this conversation earlier, around age 45. Early detection remains the most effective tool for expanding treatment options and achieving highly successful outcomes, shared the urologist.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

Dr. Sashiraj Singh is a consultant urologist, kidney transplant and robotic surgeon at the Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology, Siliguri. His areas of expertise include reconstructive urology, pediatric urology, endourology, open and laparoscopic urology, general urology, uro-oncology, renal transplant, and robotic surgery.

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Advanced kidney disease patients can survive, with quality life, without dialysis

People with advanced chronic kidney disease who decide against maintenance dialysis treatment still can survive for many years with a high quality of life, an analysis published on Monday found.

However, this may change late in the course of their illness, when many of them may require hospitalization or surgical procedures to address complications due to declines in kidney function, the researchers said. 

"Many patients who forgo dialysis can live for several years and experience sustained quality of life after their decision," study co-author Dr. Susan P. Y. Wong told UPI in an email.

"Our study highlights how dialysis shouldn't be the only option for treating advanced kidney disease, although it can often seem this way to patients," said Wong, a kidney specialist at the University of Washington and the VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle. 

In dialysis, a machine is used to remove excess water and toxins from the blood, according to the National Kidney Foundation.

These are functions normally performed by the kidneys, when they are healthy, the foundation says.

Dialysis treatments can last up to four hours and are often needed several times per week, it says. 

Advanced chronic kidney disease, or when the organs' function has declined enough to be life-threatening, can be a complication of a number of health problems, including Type 2 diabetes and severe heart disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.

However, starting dialysis earlier does not necessarily improve the prognosis in people with advance kidney disease, recent studies suggest, and it may cause side effects, including an increased risk for infections, the National Kidney Foundation says.

As a result, many patients, working with their care team, opt for a more "conservative" approach that includes prescription medications that help manage symptoms and reduce the risk for complications, Wong said.

For this study, she and her colleagues analyzed data from 41 studies that included more than 5,100 patients with advanced kidney disease.

Patients who opted against maintenance dialysis survived four up to four years after forgoing the treatment, the data showed.

Those who skipped the treatments reported improved quality of life and mental well-being, based on results from several commonly used measures, compared with those who decided to pursue dialysis, the researchers said.

However, in a typical year, those who opted against dialysis were admitted to the hospital twice, spent up to 16 days in the hospital, visited a healthcare clinic eight times and needed emergency room care twice due to symptoms and complications of kidney failure, according to the researchers.

"Each option has different pros and cons, and each set of pros and cons will be different for every patient," Wong said.

"I encourage patients to talk with their clinicians about what is most important to them and their health goals," she said.

 

 

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