Exploring the Connection: Prostate Cancer versus Prostatitis
Prostatitis and prostate cancer, while both affecting the prostate gland, are distinct conditions with different symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments.
Symptoms
Prostatitis
Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate, often caused by bacterial infection, and presents with symptoms such as:
- Burning and pain during urination
- Frequent urination or urgency
- Sensation of incomplete bladder emptying
- Pelvic or lower back pain
- Sometimes fever if infection is present
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer, in its early stages, often causes no symptoms. However, when present, symptoms may include:
- Urinary difficulties similar to prostatitis (difficulty starting or stopping urine, frequent urination)
- Blood in urine or semen
- Painful ejaculation
- Bone pain in advanced stages (lower back, hips, pelvis)
- Erectile dysfunction or unexplained weight loss
Diagnosis
Prostatitis
Diagnosis of prostatitis is usually clinical, based on symptoms, and may include urine tests to detect infection, physical examination including digital rectal exam (DRE), and elevated PSA levels, although these usually decrease with treatment.
Prostate Cancer
Diagnosis of prostate cancer involves repeated PSA tests, especially with quick rising rates, low free PSA percentage, DRE detecting hard nodules, prostate biopsy guided by ultrasound, assessing Gleason score, and imaging such as MRI or scans to assess the extent and spread of disease.
Treatment
Prostatitis
Treatment for prostatitis depends on the cause. Bacterial prostatitis is treated with antibiotics, while non-bacterial cases focus on symptom relief and anti-inflammatory measures.
Prostate Cancer
Treatment for prostate cancer varies by stage. Localized cancer may be managed with active surveillance, surgery, or radiation, while cancer spreading to lymph nodes involves radiation/surgery plus hormone therapy. Metastatic cancer is mainly treated with hormone therapy and sometimes chemotherapy.
It's important to note that while prostatitis and prostate cancer can have overlapping symptoms, such as pain and urinary frequency, they are distinct conditions with different underlying causes and treatments. Prostatitis is an inflammatory condition that often resolves with treatment, while prostate cancer is a malignant growth that requires more extensive treatment depending on its stage.
Researchers are currently investigating whether inflammation may contribute towards the eventual development of prostate cancer, but as yet, no evidence indicates this.
[1] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Prostatitis. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostatitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20355429
[2] American Cancer Society. (2021). Prostate Cancer. [online] Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer.html
[3] National Cancer Institute. (2021). Prostate Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version. [online] Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/prostate/patient/prostate-treatment-pdq
[4] National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2021). Prostatitis. [online] Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/prostatitis/definition-facts
- Men dealing with prostate cancer might experience various health issues, such as urinary difficulties, blood in urine or semen, painful ejaculation, bone pain, erectile dysfunction, or unexplained weight loss.
- Prostatitis, a distinct medical condition separate from prostate cancer, often causes symptoms like burning and pain during urination, frequent urination or urgency, sensation of incomplete bladder emptying, pelvic or lower back pain, and sometimes fever.
- Prostate health and wellness can be impacted greatly by both prostatitis and prostate cancer, requiring attention from medical professionals for proper diagnoses and treatments.
- While prostatitis is usually diagnosed clinically through symptoms, urine tests, and digital rectal exam (DRE), prostate cancer diagnosis is more complex, involving repeated PSA tests, prostate biopsy, imaging tests, and assessing Gleason score.
- The science behind prostate cancer is currently investigating whether inflammation may contribute to the development of this cancer, but no concrete evidence has been found yet to support this hypothesis.
