Follow Your Treatment Plan
Standard treatments used to prevent or slow the growth of prostate cancer may also help relieve symptoms such as pain. These include hormonal therapy chemotherapy, which directly attacks the tumor and surgery, according to ACS.
Additionally, there are treatments that can target bone metastases more specifically options include drugs called bisphosphonates, which help strengthen bones and prevent fractures external radiation therapy ablation techniques corticosteroids and pain medications.
Men with advanced prostate cancer should stick closely to their treatment protocol, says Gilligan, because we have abundant evidence that reduce pain.
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Prostate Cancer And Back Pain: Is It A Symptom
Back pain is something that most of us will experience during various parts of our lives.
However, if you are experiencing severe and long-lasting back pain, this may be a symptom of metastatic prostate cancer.
If an aggressive form of prostate cancer occurs, which is more prevalent in younger prostate cancer patients, cancer can spread to the bones.
This article will be discussing the relationship between advanced prostate cancer and back pain.
What Else Can I Do To Help Control My Pain
As well as treatments, some of the following ideas may help you to feel more comfortable and help you manage your pain.
- Generally looking after yourself might help you to feel better for example by eating a balanced diet or taking regular gentle exercise.
- Rest when you feel tired and try to get a good nights sleep. Talk to your doctor or nurse if theres something that might be affecting your sleep. This could be anything from urinary problems to worries that are keeping you awake.
- Change your position frequently to stay as comfortable as possible and prevent stiffness.
- Hot or cold packs may help to relieve some types of pain. Wrap them in a towel so that they dont hurt your skin. Hot water bottles can also be helpful.
- Do something to take your mind off the pain such as listening to music, reading, watching television or chatting with a friend or family member. As simple as it sounds, it really can help.
- Try relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, listening to relaxation tapes or having a bath. These can help you to feel more comfortable and take your mind off the pain.
You may find complementary therapies helpful. Some people say they feel more in control because they are actively doing something to improve their health. And some people find they feel more relaxed and better about themselves. We need more research to know whether complementary therapies can relieve the pain itself.
Finding a complementary therapist
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Urinating Frequently At Night
As we get older, its common to have to get up during the night to use the washroom. This is callednocturia and can be completely normal.
However, if you notice a sudden change in how frequently you have to get up during the night, consult your doctor.
For example, if you used to sleep through the night but now have to get up at least once every night, it could just be a sign of aging or it could be something more.
If you have to get up to urinatemore than twice a night, or experience changes in your usual pattern, a prostate rectal exam could be helpful. Get a check-up right away. This could be an indication of an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer.
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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
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.
What Is Bph And How Does It Affect Me
The prostate gland surrounds the urethra and assists in reproduction. As a man ages, the prostate gets larger and begins to put pressure on the bladder and urethra, causing uncomfortable symptoms. It may be responsible for blocking the flow of urine out of the bladder, and can cause issues in the bladder, urinary tract, or kidneys.
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What Causes Prostate Cancer
Put simply, prostate cancer is caused by changes in a person’s genetic code or DNA. There are two important types of genes that may play a role in the development of prostate cancer:
- Genes that help cells grow, divide, and stay alive are called oncogenes.
- Genes that keep cell growth under control, repair mistakes in our DNA, or trigger cellular death at the right time are called tumor suppressor genes.
If either gene type changes , then it can result in cells growing out of control e.g., cancer.
Pain In Advanced Prostate Cancer
Advanced prostate cancer-related pain in the hips, back, ribs, or groin is often described as a dull, deep pain, similar to a toothache, and is much different than most other pain that comes after overuse or general soreness.
Recent research has shown that many men with advanced prostate cancer often ignore pain and pain-related symptoms, do not discuss pain with their healthcare providers and have difficulty discussing pain-related symptoms with caregivers and healthcare providers.11 Men should definitely discuss any type of pain they are feeling with their healthcare provider at the first possible sign and be sure to express the degree to which it affects them so that their provider can test appropriately.
Pain in the hips, back, ribs, or groin as a result of advanced prostate cancer can often be treated, however, treatment is typically palliative in nature. Palliative care involves treating symptoms, such as bone pain, but not curing the underlying condition causing the symptom. Although the treatment regimen for an individuals prostate cancer can be adjusted in attempts to cure the cancer, the cancer typically is incurable once it has become widespread in the bones. This is why bone pain as a result of advanced cancer is treated palliatively. The main types of treatment for bone pain as a result of prostate cancer include, medications, radiation, and surgery.1-4
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Diagnosing Cancer And Back Pain
A doctor will consider your symptoms and medical history when diagnosing potential lower back pain causes. Its important to include if you have a history of cancer or a family history of cancer.
Because cancer is a rare cause of lower back pain in those who dont already have cancer, a doctor may recommend other treatments before doing a full cancer work-up.
However, if pain persists after physical therapy or anti-inflammatory medications, a doctor may order imaging studies and blood testing. These tests can help identify if there are potential cancer markers that are causing the lower back pain.
What Is Prostate Cancer
The urethra passes through the middle of the prostate. Because of the proximity of the prostate to the urethra and reproductive organs, prostate cancer may cause symptoms affecting urination and sexual activity.
The symptoms of prostate cancer may be different for each man, and any one of these symptoms may be caused by other conditions such as prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia. As a result, routine screenings in the form of digital rectal exams and prostate-specific androgen tests are vital.
This article will cover:
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How Is Prostatitis Treated
Treatment depends on the type of prostatitis.
Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Treatment for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome aims to decrease pain, discomfort, and inflammation. A wide range of symptoms exists and no single treatment works for every man. Although antibiotics will not help treat nonbacterial prostatitis, a urologist may prescribe them, at least initially, until the urologist can rule out a bacterial infection. A urologist may prescribe other medications:
- cans such as chondroitin sulfate
- muscle relaxants such as cyclobenzaprine and clonazepam
- neuromodulators such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline , and pregabalin
Alternative treatments may include
- warm baths, called sitz baths
- local heat therapy with hot water bottles or heating pads
- physical therapy, such as
- Kegel exercisestightening and relaxing the muscles that hold urine in the bladder and hold the bladder in its proper position. Also called pelvic muscle exercises.
- myofascial releasepressing and stretching, sometimes with cooling and warming, of the muscles and soft tissues in the lower back, pelvic region, and upper legs. Also known as myofascial trigger point release.
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What Are The Chances My Back Pain Is Cancer
Summary Back pain is rarely a sign of cancer. When it is, it tends to happen along with other symptoms of cancer. Some cancers that cause back pain include spinal tumors, lung cancer, breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, and blood cancers. Undiagnosed skin cancer can also spread to the spine, causing back pain.
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Who Is At Risk
Research into the subject found certain risk factors that are common amongst people whove experienced prostate cancer. Age is a primary factor in the incidence of prostate cancer. Approximately 60 percent of the cases of prostate cancer are in men over 65 years of age.
Family history is another factor that studies have pointed to as a correlation. Cancer genes are hereditary and can be passed down from one generation to another.
Treatments To Help Control Your Cancer
If your prostate cancer treatment is not working as well as it was, trying a different treatment for your cancer may help the pain. These treatments can all cause side effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about the possible side effects or read more about them in our other fact sheets and booklets. You can also speak to our Specialist Nurses.
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Talking With Your Doctor
Different kinds of doctors and other health care professionals manage prostate health. They can help you find the best care, answer your questions, and address your concerns. These health care professionals include:
- Family doctors and internists
- Physician assistants and nurse practitioners
- Urologists, who are experts in diseases of the urinary tract system and the male reproductive system
- Urologic oncologists, who are experts in treating cancers of the urinary system and the male reproductive system
- Radiation oncologists, who use radiation therapy to treat cancer
- Medical oncologists, who treat cancer with medications such as hormone treatments and chemotherapy
- Pathologists, who identify diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope
View these professionals as your partnersâexpert advisors and helpers in your health care. Talking openly with your doctors can help you learn more about your prostate changes and the tests to expect.
Where Is Back Pain For Cancer
How Spinal Cancer Pain May Feel When back pain is caused by a cancerous spinal tumor, it typically:
Starts gradually and worsens over time Does not improve with rest and may intensify at night Flares up as a sharp or shock-like pain in the upper or lower back, which may also go into the legs, chest, or elsewhere in the body
Other signs and symptoms that could potentially indicate the origin of back pain from cancer include unplanned weight loss, nausea, fever, chills, or other troubling symptoms.
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Arthritis Of The Spine
Arthritis of the spine the slow degeneration of the spinal joints is the most frequent cause of lower back pain. All of us experience wear and tear as we age, and it is normal for your lower back to start acting up as you get older. As the cartilage breaks down between the spinal joints, surrounding tissues may become inflamed. The inflammation and the thinning of cartilage increase friction in the joints, which may cause pain in the lower back.
What Should You Do If You Have The Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer
If you are presenting one or more of the warning signs of prostate cancer, then it would be wise to promptly consult with a qualified physician. Your symptoms may indicate another, less serious condition and even if you do receive a diagnosis of prostate cancer, it is much easier to treat this disease when detected early on.
To learn more, contact our team of medical professionals at Care New England today.
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Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: The Condition Symptoms And Complications
The problem of an enlarged prostrate, otherwise medically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or the benign enlargement of the prostate, is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. It is a condition which can greatly affect the way men pass urine. While what causes BPH is not exactly clear, it is normally said to be a part of the aging process in men and is said to be caused by the changes in cell growth and hormonal balance.
How does BPH happen?BPH is the hyperplasia of prostatic epithelial and stromal cells which result in the formation of discrete, large nodules in the prostates transition zone. When they become sufficiently large, the nodules push forward, narrowing the urethra that leads to a greater resistance to urine flow from the bladder . This causes the bladder to work harder during the voiding process, leading possibly to weakness, instability or progressive hypertrophy of the bladder muscle.
If an enlarged prostate causes bladder obstruction and remains untreated, there could be complications such as bladder stones, recurrent urinary tract infections, and even chronic kidney disease, which could lead to possible kidney failure.
Enlarged prostate symptomsWhen the prostate becomes enlarged, it places pressure on the urethra and consequently, the bladder. Men suffering from BPH show the following symptoms:
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Drugs To Treat Cancer Spread To Bone
If prostate cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it almost always goes to the bones first. These areas of cancer spread can cause pain and weak bones that might break. Medicines that can help strengthen the bones and lower the chance of fracture are bisphosphonates and denosumab. Sometimes, radiation, radiopharmaceuticals, or pain medicines are given for pain control.
Side effects of bone medicines
A serious side effect of bisphosphonates and denosumab is damage to the jaw, also called osteonecrosis of the jaw . Most people will need to get approval from their dentist before starting one of these drugs.
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Screening For Prostate Cancer
There are no tests available with sufficient accuracy to screen populations of men for early signs of prostate cancer. However, early detection and treatment can significantly improve prostate cancer survival.
The test most commonly used to aid early detection of prostate cancer is the prostate specific antigen blood test. This is not a diagnostic test as it can only indicate changes in the prostate. If you are concerned about prostate cancer you should talk to your doctor and make an informed choice about whether to have one of the tests designed to find early signs of prostate cancer, in view of the potential risks and benefits.
There are no proven measures to prevent prostate cancer.
Other Locations Of Pain From Prostate Cancer
Pain during urination
Leg and foot pain from swelling/edema
Shooting, burning or stabbing pain can occur in the lower extremities if a metastasis is pressing against a nerve.
Lower abdominal pain or soreness can occur if a tumor is causing pressure on the organs that surround the prostate.
If youve been having any of the following symptoms, many benign conditions can explain them. But so can prostate cancer. Better safe than sorry.
Get yourself checked out if youve been experiencing any of the following:
Urination discomfort of any sort
Any difficulty with urination
Increased urges to urinate overnight
Loss of bladder control
Reduced flow of urine stream
Appearance of blood in the urine
Numbness in the lower extremities
Unexplained fatigue or weight loss
WARNING: Many of the aforementioned symptoms are signs of advanced disease.
The time to get checked is at the first sign of symptoms, even if they seem trite such as reduced urine stream or having more urges to urinate overnight.
Furthermore, annual PSA tests are highly recommended beginning at age 50 for men at average risk of prostate cancer.
For more information on prostate cancer screening, call Cancer Center Treatments of America at 993-3381.
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When To Seek Medical Care
A person may have urinary symptoms unrelated to prostatitis that are caused by bladder problems, UTIs, or benign prostatic hyperplasia. Symptoms of prostatitis also can signal more serious conditions, including prostate cancer.
Men with symptoms of prostatitis should see a health care provider.
Men with the following symptoms should seek immediate medical care:
- complete inability to urinate