Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer You Shouldn’t Ignore: Urinary Changes, Pelvic Discomfort and Other Early Warning Signs
By Dr. Anup Ramani
Prostate cancer is one of the leading cancers affecting men worldwide, particularly those aged 50 and above. Often asymptomatic in the early stages, it silently progresses until physical symptoms begin to manifest. Recognizing these signs early can dramatically influence the success of treatment, especially with modern interventions such as robotic prostate cancer surgery. While many associate prostate issues with aging, symptoms like frequent urination or pelvic discomfort could be early indicators of malignancy.
This article explores the subtle yet critical signs and symptoms of prostate cancer, delves into diagnostic pathways and highlights advanced treatment options, what to expect during prostate cancer operation recovery.
Early Urinary Changes: A Red Flag You Shouldn’t Ignore
The most common and often overlooked early symptom of prostate cancer is a change in urinary habits. The prostate gland surrounds the urethra and as cancer grows, it compresses this passage.
Common urinary symptoms include:
- Increased urgency and frequency, especially at night (nocturia)
- A weak or interrupted urine stream
- Difficulty starting or stopping urination
- A feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
- Pain or burning sensation while urinating
- Occasional blood in urine
These signs often mimic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) but may indicate a more serious underlying condition. Persistent symptoms warrant an immediate evaluation by prostate cancer surgeons for proper diagnosis.
Pelvic Pain and Discomfort
Pelvic discomfort is another subtle symptom that may indicate advancing prostate cancer. It may present as:
- Dull aching in the lower back, hips or thighs
- Pressure or pain in the perineum
- A sense of heaviness or tension in the pelvic floor
This discomfort, especially if persistent or coupled with urinary changes, can be a sign that cancer is affecting surrounding nerves or organs. Diagnostic imaging helps determine the extent of the disease and whether surgical intervention is needed.
Sexual Dysfunction and Reproductive Symptoms
Another early warning sign is a sudden change in sexual health. Patients may report:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Painful ejaculation
These issues, although often linked to aging, may also result from prostate cancer affecting nerve and vascular pathways. Timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Modern options such as robotic prostate cancer surgery can preserve sexual function better than traditional methods.
What Our Patients Are Saying
"Dr. Anup is extremely patient and understanding and makes sure that he gives time to each patient. I had taken my uncle for a consultation and eventually for a robotic surgery; he ensured that my uncle felt comfortable and did not rush things. It was a pleasant experience in a difficult situation."
Sharanya Rao
SHOPIFY
Systemic Symptoms in Advanced Cases
As prostate cancer progresses, systemic symptoms may begin to appear:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent fatigue
- Bone pain or weakness (especially in the back or pelvis)
These symptoms often indicate metastasis, emphasizing the importance of early detection and swift action.
Diagnosis and Initial Consultation
If symptoms are present, your physician may recommend:
- PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) blood test
- Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)
- MRI, ultrasound or biopsy for detailed assessment
Early detection opens the door to effective, less invasive treatments, including robotic surgery for prostate cancer treatment, with minimal damage to surrounding tissues.
Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer: Advanced and Minimal Invasive
Robotic-assisted surgery is becoming the gold standard for prostate cancer. The Da Vinci robotic system enables surgeons to perform complex procedures through small incisions with superior control and visualization.
Key features of robotic prostate cancer surgery:
- Six 3mm incisions for robotic arm access
- Average surgery time of one hour
- Minimal blood loss and no transfusion needed
- Urinary catheter and drainage tube placed during the procedure
Hospital stay typically spans five nights, including the preoperative day. Solid food is resumed by day three and patients are usually discharged with a catheter, which is removed on the tenth postoperative day during a home visit.
Prostate Cancer Operation Recovery: What to Expect?
Incontinence
Post-surgical stress incontinence (urinary leakage during movement or stress) is common, lasting from days to months depending on age and overall health. Patients are advised to wear adult pull-up diapers initially and perform exercises to strengthen pelvic muscles.
Impotence
All patients experience some degree of erectile dysfunction post-surgery. However, nerve-sparing techniques during prostate cancer surgery significantly reduce long-term impairment. Andrologists offer treatments such as medications, injections or implants to restore function where needed.
Follow-Up Care
- Daily post-discharge check-ins by surgical staff
- Drain removal on day 3
- Catheter removal at home on day 10
Proper postoperative care ensures a smooth and successful recovery.
Conclusion
Prostate cancer often presents with subtle signs – urinary issues, pelvic pain and sexual dysfunction – that can be mistakenly attributed to age. However, early detection is vital. Consulting a specialist when symptoms arise can lead to timely intervention and dramatically better outcomes.
Robotic prostate cancer surgery is a transformative approach offering high precision, reduced recovery time and excellent long-term prognosis. Men experiencing early symptoms should not delay evaluation. With expert care and advanced surgical solutions, prostate cancer is highly manageable and often curable.
FAQs About Robotic Prostate Cancer Surgery
What are the early symptoms of prostate cancer?
Early signs include frequent urination (especially at night), difficulty starting or stopping urination, a weak urine stream and pelvic discomfort. These symptoms should not be ignored and warrant medical evaluation.
How is prostate cancer diagnosed?
Diagnosis usually involves a PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) blood test, a digital rectal exam (DRE) and may include imaging tests or a biopsy to confirm the presence of cancer.
What is robotic prostate cancer surgery?
Robotic prostate cancer surgery is a minimal invasive procedure where surgeons use robotic arms for high precision. It involves small incisions, less bleeding, quicker recovery and better outcomes compared to traditional surgery.
What is recovery like after robotic prostate surgery?
Most patients stay in the hospital for about five days and return to normal activities within two to four weeks. A catheter is used for 10 days post-surgery and follow-up care includes daily visits by the medical team.
Will I have urinary incontinence or erectile problems after surgery?
Some men experience temporary urinary leakage and erectile dysfunction after surgery. These usually improve over time with exercises like Kegels and treatments provided by a specialist if needed.
Table of Contents
Recent Blogs
Best Uro-Oncological surgeon
Specialist in India for Robotic Surgery
MCh, DNB, MS, DNB
Dr. Anup Ramani
CONTACT
Dr. Anup Ramani
Uro-Oncologist in India,
Best Robotic Surgeon for Uro Oncology Surgery
1407, One Lodha Place Next to World Towers Senapati Bapat Marg, Worli, Mumbai. 400013.
Uro-Oncologist in India,
Best Robotic Surgeon for Uro Oncology Surgery
1407, One Lodha Place Next to World Towers Senapati Bapat Marg, Worli, Mumbai. 400013.
Dr Anup Ramani @ Copyright 2024 – Website Maintenance & SEO by Webmasterindia
PARTIAL PENECTOMY
- Partial penectomy is done in cases where glans and distal penis is involved with carcinoma.
- Partial penectomy is a type of organ-preserving surgery. Preservation of sexual and micturational function depends on the surgical dissection and reconstruction of residual urethra.
Kidney Stone Removal
- Patients who develop stones in the kidney or ureter, often experience severe pain.
- This condition usually needs a procedure to remove the kidney stones.
- This procedure is called ureteroscopy and is performed very commonly.
- It does not require any cuts and hence it is painless.
- The procedure is performed with an endoscope inserted through the penis under spinal anesthesia.
- The scope is inserted through the penis into the kidney and stones are dissolved with a laser.
- The procedure takes about 40-50 minutes.
- A catheter (urine pipe) is kept after the procedure to drain the bladder. A stent is kept in the kidney at the same time.
- Patient is mobile and walking in the room the same evening.
- Hospital stay is one night and patient is discharged the next day after removal of the catheter.
- Patient has to come back after six weeks to remove the stent in the kidney.
- Patients can resume office a week after surgery and heavy activities like running, weight lifting, a month after the procedure.
- We offer fixed packages for this procedure which can be obtained by calling our helpline +91 9967666060.
- Men with an enlarged prostate, which is a normal ageing changes, often experiencing difficulty passing urine. This condition usually needs a procedure to trim the prostate and relieve the blockage.
- This procedure is called TURP and is performed very commonly.
- It does not require any cuts and hence it is painless.
- The procedure is performed with an endoscope inserted through the penis under spinal anaesthesia.
- The overgrown prostate is dissolved with a laser bloodlessly.
- The procedure takes about 40 minutes.
- A catheter (urine pipe) is kept after the procedure to drain the bladder.
- Patient is mobile and walking in the room the same evening.
- Hospital stay is two nights and patient is discharged with the catheter, which is removed after 4 days.
- Patients can resume office a week after surgery and heavy activities like running, weight lifting, a month after the procedure.
- We offer fixed packages for this procedure which can be obtained by calling our helpline +91 9967666060.
ROBOTIC ADRENALECTOMY FOR ADRENAL GLAND TUMOUR
-
Robotic adrenalectomy is a sophisticated, complex surgery and it is very important that an experienced surgeon performs this surgery to avoid major complications.
-
Once the anesthesia is done, and patient positioned, three micro cuts (3mm each) are made in the patient’s abdomen.
-
The arms of the Da Vinci robot are connected to the cuts via ports (tubes).
-
Dr. Ramani then sits in the controlling console to perform the surgery.
-
On an average, a robotic adrenalectomy takes one hour.
-
The surgery is almost completely bloodless and there has never been any need to transfuse blood after surgery.
-
A urine catheter and bag to drain the bladder is inserted during surgery.
-
A tiny drain pipe may be inserted in the surgical side of the abdomen, connected to a bag.
-
Patient is kept nil-by-mouth the day of the surgery, with IV fluids. Sips of water are started the next day and solid food by day three.
-
The drain pipe, if kept, is removed in the room on day 2 after surgery.
-
The catheter is removed on day two after surgery.
-
Total hospital stay for robotic adrenalectomy is 4 nights (including night before surgery).
-
Post discharge, a doctor from the surgical team visits the patient at home/ hotel room once every day.
RETURN TO ACTIVITY
On the day of discharge, patient is totally self-sufficient. They are able to walk freely without any pain, dress themselves, shower, toilet and they do not need to hire any nurse or help at home. Almost all patients are back to work within 2 weeks of surgery.
Heavy activities like running, weight lifting can be resumed after a month
FOLLOW UP AFTER SURGERY
Follow up after an adrenalectomy is in the form of CT scans, once a year for 5 years.
Local patients usually meet Dr. Ramani after two weeks to discuss report.Outstation patients are counselled on a phone consultation.
ROBOTIC SURGERY FOR BLADDER CANCER
- Dr. Ramani is one of the very few surgeons in India who has the expertise to perform a robotic surgery for bladder cancer, which includes removing the urinary bladder and reconstructing a new bladder robotically.
- Robotic radical cystectomy is an extremely sophisticated, complex surgery and it is very important that an experienced surgeon performs this surgery to avoid major complications.
- Once the anaesthesia is done, and patient positioned, six micro cuts (3mm each) are made in the patient’s abdomen.
- The arms of the Da Vinci robot are connected to the cuts via ports (tubes).
- Dr. Ramani then sits in the controlling console to perform the surgery.
- On an average, a robotic radical cystectomy with an ileal conduit takes 3-4 hours.
- The surgery is almost completely bloodless and there has never been any need to transfuse blood after surgery.
- A urine catheter and bag to drain the new bladder is inserted during surgery.
- Two tiny drain pipe in inserted in the surgical side of the abdomen, connected to a bag.
- Patient is kept nil-by-mouth for 4 days after surgery with IV supplementation of patient’s daily requirements of calories, fats, carbohydrates, proteins and electrolytes.
- The drain pipes are removed in the room on day 3-5 after surgery.
- Total hospital stay for radical cystectomy is 8 nights (including night before surgery).
- Post discharge, a doctor from the surgical team visits the patient at home/ hotel room once every day.
RETURN TO ACTIVITY
- On the day of discharge, patient is totally self-sufficient. They are able to walk freely without any pain, dress themselves, shower, toilet and they do not need to hire any nurse or help at home.
- Almost all patients are back to work within 6 weeks of surgery. Heavy activities like running, weight lifting can be resumed after two months.
FOLLOW UP AFTER SURGERY
Follow up after a radical a cystectomy is in the form of CT scans, once a year for 5 years.
Histopathology report: Local patients usually meet Dr. Ramani after two weeks to discuss report.
Outstation patients are counselled on a phone consult. Depending on the report, patient may or may not need chemotherapy after surgery.
If chemo is needed, patients may choose to get it done with a medical oncologist of their choice or avail the services of one of the four medical oncologists on our team.
ROBOTIC RADICAL/PARTIAL NEPHRECTOMY FOR KIDNEY CANCER
- Robotic partial nephrectomy is a sophisticated, complex surgery and it is very important that an experienced surgeon performs this surgery to avoid major complications. Robotic radical (total) nephrectomy is
- relatively easier but still requires significant experience to consistently deliver results.
- Once the anaesthesia is done, and patient positioned, five micro cuts (3mm each) are made in the patient’s abdomen.
- The arms of the Da Vinci robot are connected to the cuts via ports (tubes).
- Dr. Ramani then sits in the controlling console to perform the surgery.
- On an average, a robotic radical nephrectomy takes one hour and a robotic partial nephrectomy takes about an hour and half.
- The surgery is almost completely bloodless and there has never been any need to transfuse blood after surgery.
- A urine catheter and bag to drain the bladder is inserted during surgery.
- A tiny drain pipe in inserted in the surgical side of the abdomen, connected to a bag.
- Patient is kept nil-by-mouth the day of the surgery, with IV fluids. Sips of water are started the next day and solid food by day three.
- The drain pipe is removed in the room on day 3 after surgery. The catheter is removed on day two after surgery.
- Total hospital stay for radical/partial nephrectomy is 4 nights (including night before surgery).
- Post discharge, a doctor from the surgical team visits the patient at home/ hotel room once every day.
RETURN TO ACTIVITY
- On the day of discharge, patient is totally self- sufficient.
- They are able to walk freely without any pain, dress themselves, shower, toilet and they do not need to hire any nurse or help at home.
- Almost all patients are back to work within 2-3 weeks of surgery.
- Heavy activities like running, weight lifting can be resumed after a month.
FOLLOW UP AFTER SURGERY
- Follow up after a radical/partial Nephrectomy is in the form of CT scans, once a year for 5 years.
- Local patients usually meet Dr. Ramani after two weeks to discuss report.
- Outstation patients are counselled on a phone consultation.