Metastatic prostate cancer

Symptoms depend on which part of you body is affected by the cancer.  

Urinary problems or bone pain are the most common symptoms when metastatic prostate cancer is diagnosed, but starting treatment often improves these symptoms.

If your prostate gland is enlarged, you may:

• Have difficulty passing urine
• Pass urine more often day and night
• Feel your bladder isn’t empty after going to the toilet 

If the cancer is affecting your bones, you may have:

• A nagging ache in a particular bone 
• More severe bone pain 
• Weakened bones that break easily 
• Too much calcium in your blood, which can cause tiredness, constipation, nausea, thirst and confusion
• Some symptoms may be vague, such as weight loss, erection problems and feeling unwell, unusually tired or weak. 

Spinal cord compression happens if the cancer presses on your nerves. Although this is a less common symptom, it’s very important to treat spinal cord compression urgently. Go to your doctor immediately if you have symptoms such as pain, weakness or tingling in your leg, reduced mobility, or loss of bladder and bowel control. If you can’t see a doctor, go to a hospital emergency department and explain that you have metastatic prostate cancer. 

Read more about spinal cord compression.