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The Prostate & Back Pain

Prostate cancer is very common among North American men. In fact, it is the second leading cancer next to skin cancer. Prostate cancer is also the second leading cause of cancer deaths next to lung cancer. One of the manifestations of advanced prostate cancer is bone pain. Lower back pain and other musculoskeletal pain will occur.

  1. Identification

    • The prostate gland enables normal sexual functioning and regulates bladder control. This gland is shaped like a walnut and is found in the anterior of the rectum. It circles the superior portion of the urethra, according to Pub Med.

    Results

    • When prostate cancer is present it can result in acute lower back or hip pain. Back pain results because the spinal cord has been compressed as a result of bone metastasis, according to the American Family Physician website.

    Features

    • Prostate cancer can be very aggressive and spread to other parts of your body. When this happens, the cancer has metastasized. On the other hand, it can be a slow growing cancer, according to Familydoctor.org.

    Considerations

    • A condition called prostatitis results when the prostate gland has become inflamed causing pain and swelling, according to Prostatitis.org. Lower back pain is one of the signs of this condition, as are fatigue, depression, urination problems and sexual dysfunction. Prostatitis is caused by a virus, bacteria or a sexually transmitted disease. The most common type of prostatitis is non-bacterial. This results in lower abdominal and lower back pain as well as frequent urination.

    Signs

    • The symptoms of prostate cancer include lower back and hip pain that does not go away, pain in the lower area of your pelvis, difficulty urinating, pus or blood in your urine, blood in your semen, pain when you ejaculate and pain when urinating. If you have less force in your urine stream or find that you dribble urine after you are finished urinating, this is an indicator. Loss of weight and loss of appetite are also signs that you may have prostate cancer.

    Examination

    • To examine your prostate, your physician will insert a finger into your rectum and feel the prostate gland. He will check the shape and size of the gland and determine whether there are any lumps present.

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