Prostate cancer begins in the prostate gland, which is located below the bladder. This gland is responsible for producing the fluid that helps nourish and transport sperm. According to many studies, prostate cancer is the second-most common type of cancer among men across the country. However, the good news is that it can be cured if diagnosed at an early stage. This article discusses the different symptoms of prostate cancer and its stages.

How does prostate cancer spread?
This form of cancer causes the prostate cells to develop DNA mutations and they multiply at an abnormal rate, leading to malignant tumors.

Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer
One of the toughest aspects of diagnosis is that prostate cancer does not show any signs or symptoms in the beginning. This leads the illness not being diagnosed till an advanced stage. The most common signs of prostate cancer include loss of bladder control, weight loss for no apparent reason, reduced force of urine stream, frequent urges to urinate at night, painful ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, and blood in the urine and semen.

Stages of prostate cancer
These stages are classified according to the symptoms of prostate cancer and the extent to which the tumor has spread.

1. Stage 1
In this stage, the tumor is small and in the prostate only, making it easier to treat the illness. The PSA levels (Prostate-Specific Antigen) and Gleason scores of the patient are lower, which is an indication of the cancer being at an initial stage.

2. Stage 2
In this stage, the cancerous tumor has grown but doesn’t spread beyond the prostate. Also, by this stage the PSA levels and Gleason scores are on the rise, which implies that the tumor is on the verge of spreading.

3. Stage 3
The cancer cells grow exponentially at this stage, and they can spread beyond the prostate to the bladder, lymph nodes, rectum, or other organs. Patients may experience symptoms like frequent urination, slow stream of urination, and even blood in the urine or semen.

4. Stage 4
This is the advanced stage of cancer where the cancer cells have spread to the bladder, lymph nodes, rectum, and other organs. By now, the patient may experience discomfort around the pelvic area, erectile dysfunction, and other serious symptoms. If cancer is diagnosed at the fourth stage, it could be difficult to cure the illness completely; but, the symptoms can be managed with appropriate treatment.

Types of prostate cancer
Prostate cancer has multiple types, and the symptoms might differ for each one. However, 99 percent of the cases are of a specific type of the disease. The common types of prostate cancer are:

1. Adenocarcinoma
This is the most common type of prostate cancer, also called glandular prostate cancer. It begins in the glandular cells that are responsible for making the seminal fluid. Acinar adenocarcinoma is a common subtype of adenocarcinoma. In case of acinar adenocarcinoma, the cancer cells grow just outside the prostate, while ductal adenocarcinoma is characterized by the growth of cancer cells within the prostate.

2. Transitional cell carcinoma
Transitional cells are flexible cells that line the urinary system, allowing it to function properly. Cancer that begins in these cells spreads to the urethra and can also affect the prostate.

3. Neuroendocrine prostate cancer
This type of prostate cancer can arise in patients who have been treated with hormonal therapies for prostate adenocarcinoma.

4. Squamous cell cancer
This is a rare type of prostate cancer that starts in the flat cells that cover the prostate gland. However, when it surfaces, it grows faster than adenocarcinomas.