Friday, March 22, 2024
HomeIs Lower Back Pain A Symptom Of Prostate Cancer

Is Lower Back Pain A Symptom Of Prostate Cancer

What Treatment Can I Have

Can Cancer Cause Back Pain? | Bockmann Technique

There are different ways to treat pain. Whats best for you will depend on a number of things, including whats causing the pain, your general health, how you are feeling emotionally and what sort of things you do in your daily life. Because pain involves all of these things, treating it often means using a few different approaches.

You might need treatment for the pain itself, such as:

Pain might be a sign that your prostate cancer treatment isnt working as well as it was. A different treatment for your cancer may help the pain. Possible treatments include:

  • hormone therapy
  • a type of radiotherapy called radium-223.

There are other things that may also help with pain, including:

  • complementary therapies
  • emotional support
  • treatments for other causes of pain, such as antibiotics to treat infection.

Are There Complications Of Prostate Cancer And Treatment

Treatments can cause side effects, including:

  • Erectile dysfunction: More than 3 in every 4 men have problems with getting and keeping an erection after surgery. However, this can be minimised using nerve-sparing surgery techniques. Erectile dysfunction is also common after radiation therapy and ADT. There are effective treatments for erection problems.
  • Poor bladder control : 5% to 10% of men have problems with urine leakage within one year after prostate removal.
  • Urinary urgency: Radiation therapy can cause damage around the prostate, making you feel like going to the toilet more often.

Men who take ADT may also experience a reduced sex drive and hormone-related effects such as hot flushes, tiredness and sweating, loss of body hair and osteoporosis. ADT can also result in reduced muscle strength, an increased risk of getting heart disease and memory loss.

When Should I See A Doctor If I Have Lower Back Pain

In many cases lower back pain stops on its own. But if it doesnt, here are some guidelines on when you may want to start seeking professional help:

  • If the pain lasts four weeks or longer
  • If the pain keeps getting worse as time goes by
  • If you are experiencing other symptoms, such as fever, major weight loss or weight gain, loss of function or weakness in extremities, bladder problems, etc.

Also Check: Does Aleve Help Lower Back Pain

Anatomy And Metastasis Of Prostate Cancer

The pudendal nerve innervates the few striated muscles within the prostatic capsule. The parasympathetic nerves emanate from S2 to S4 and form the pelvic nerve. The sympathetic preganglionic nerves, which reside in the thoracolumbar region between T6 and L2, provide the major neural input to the prostate and reach the pelvis through the hypogastric nerve .

Anatomic structures and major veins of the male pelvis.

FIGURE 1.

Anatomic structures and major veins of the male pelvis.

Prostate cancer has been shown to metastasize by following the venous drainage system through the lower paravertebral plexus, or Batson’s plexus.4,9 Although hematogenous spread of other malignancies is most commonly to the lungs and liver, 90 percent of prostatic metastases involve the spine, with the lumbar spine affected three times more often than the cervical spine. Prostate cancer also spreads to the lungs in about 50 percent of patients with metastatic disease, and to the liver in about 25 percent of those with metastases.4

Epidural metastases are the result of contiguous spread from lesions of the calvaria to the meninges. Because of the protective layer of the dura mater, subdural and intra-parenchymal metastases from prostate cancer are rare .

FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 2.

Signs Of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer symptoms: Back pain could be sign of ...
  • Abdominal pain: Pressure on the organs surrounding your prostate can cause lower abdomen pain and soreness.
  • Anemia: Often prostate cancer patients develop anemia caused by bone marrow infiltration, androgen deprivation or treatment related toxicity.
  • Bloody semen: Inflammation or infection of the prostate gland can cause blood in the semen.
  • Bloody urine : Cancer of any part of the urinary tract including prostate cancer can cause of blood in urine. However, this can also be a symptom of other conditions such as kidney stones or urinary tract infections.
  • Fatigue: A number of factors can cause fatigue in cancer patients. Treatments and medications, stress, depression, and lack of appetite are factors of fatigue.
  • Problems urinating and incontinence: Anything that enlarges the prostate gland surrounding the urethra can obstruct the urethra, causing urination retention problems, trouble starting urination, incomplete emptying or a weak urine stream.
  • Leg inflammation: The patient may experience leg inflammation or swelling if the prostate cancer tumor metastasizes into the bladder and blocks the urine is coming from the kidney.
  • Lower back pain/Spinal compression: Lower back or hip pain can occur when bone metastasis occurs and the spinal cord is compressed.
  • Weight loss: The functioning of the body, or treatments such as chemotherapy, can cause weight loss.

Also Check: Mayo Clinic Lower Back Pain Exercises

What Can I Do For Low Back Pain At Home

If your lower back pain has just started, the best thing you can do is start a log. Record your symptoms, times, dates and which activities trigger the pain or make it worse or better. Take this information to your family physician if the pain doesnt resolve on its own. It will make diagnosing the cause much easier.

Once you know which motion or position causes your lower back pain, try to avoid it and see if you get better. Icing the painful spot can also help. And so can over-the-counter pain relievers that help reduce inflammation. Just remember that pain killers treat only the symptom pain and not its cause.

Why Does Prostate Cancer Cause Hip Pelvis And Back Pain

Some men with prostate cancer dont realize the existence of the disease for many years until it gets worse and show some discomfort symptoms. The reason is due to this kind of cancer is more likely to grow very slowly, though in some cases it can grow rapidly and aggressively, too. Does it cause pain in the back, pelvis, and hip if so, when and why?

Understanding the symptoms of prostate cancer in general

As men get older, many of them experience a condition called prostate enlargement. Though it is a common condition, but the good news it is not cancerous tumor. But this enlargement can generate some similar symptoms to what happen in prostate cancer see more this issue in this section!

In general, the very early stage of prostate cancer doesnt lead to any signs and symptoms at all. Typically, the symptoms appear when the cancerous tumor has become large enough to cause pressure to the urethra .

*Picture credit to the Cancer Research UK

The pressure that hits the urethra can cause some problems in the way of how you pass the urine. Both cancerous and non-cancerous enlargement of prostate can press on the urethra, blocking the flow of urine. See in here for in-depth information about the symptoms of prostate cancer.

If the cancer does cause the symptoms, some of them may include:

  • Increased frequency of urination, particularly at night.
  • Typically, you need to rush to pass urine.
  • Recommended Reading: Advil For Lower Back Pain

    Health And Social Care Professionals You Might See

    You might see a range of different professionals to help manage your symptoms and offer emotional and practical support. Some may have been treating you since your diagnosis. Others provide specific services or specialise in providing treatment to manage symptoms .

    If you have questions or concerns at any time, speak to someone in your medical team. They can explain your diagnosis, treatment and side effects, listen to your concerns, and help you get support.

    Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression

    Is lower back pain a sign of cancer? – Dr. Kodlady Surendra Shetty

    Prostate cancer is metastatic if it has spread to:

    • Lymph nodes
    • Bones
    • Other organs

    For example, if prostate cancer has spread to the pelvic bones, you may feel lower back or pelvic pain.

    When cancer cells spread to the spine, they can apply pressure on the spinal cord . This is called

    Treatment for metastatic cancer

    Radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy are generally used to treat localized prostate cancer. However, for patients that eventually develop locally advanced or metastatic cancer, hormone or radiation therapy may be required.

    Hormone therapy is used to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells.

    More than 85% of men who receive hormone therapy develop metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer within 3 years of hormone treatment. This is caused by prostate cancer cells adapting to low androgen levels.

    Don’t Miss: Does Aleve Help Lower Back Pain

    Warning Disclaimer Use For Publication

    WARNING: Please DO NOT STOP MEDICATIONS without first consulting a physician since doing so could be hazardous to your health.

    DISCLAIMER: All material available on eHealthMe.com is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. All information is observation-only. Our phase IV clinical studies alone cannot establish cause-effect relationship. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. The use of the eHealthMe site and its content is at your own risk.

    If you use this eHealthMe study on publication, please acknowledge it with a citation: study title, URL, accessed date.

    Can Lower Back Pain Be Related To Weather

    If you feel like your lower back pain worsens on days when its cold or the weather is changing, you are not imagining things. Back pain can indeed be related to barometric pressure and outdoor temperature. Changes in pressure can sometimes cause pain in arthritic joints, including the spine. Muscles and joints in general react to the environment, which can make them stiffer and more likely to suffer an injury.

    Also Check: Aleve Or Advil For Back Pain

    Surgical Treatment For Enlarged Prostate

    • Transurethral resection of the prostate . In this surgery, the inner portion of the prostate is removed. Used 90% of the time, this is the most commonly used surgical procedure for BPH.

    • Open prostatectomy .The surgeon makes an incision and removes the enlarged tissue from the prostate.

    • Laser surgery Laser surgery uses laser energy to destroy prostate tissue and shrink the prostate.

    • Transurethral incision of the prostate .This surgery does not involve removing prostate tissue. A few small cuts are made in the prostate gland to reduce the prostates pressure on the urethra, making urination easier.

    Symptoms That May Suggest Lung Cancer

    Can back pain be a symptom of prostate cancer?

    Symptoms of back pain linked to lung cancer may overlap with back pain caused by other conditions. If the cancer involves the spine, it can mimic many of the symptoms of an upper back injury.

    Lung cancer-related back pain may feel dull like a muscle ache, or it may seem sharp like a pinched nerve. People with cancer that has spread to the adrenal glands may sometimes say they have “kidney pain” on one side of their back. They also may describe a feeling like they’ve just been “kidney punched.”

    That said, back pain related to lung cancer may have certain telltale signs. Red flags that back pain may be due to lung cancer include:

    • Back pain that is present at rest
    • Back pain that is worst at night
    • Back pain that happens without any activity
    • Back pain that worsens the longer you lie in bed
    • Back pain that gets worse when you take a deep breath
    • Back pain that doesn’t respond to physical therapy or other treatment

    The back pain may come with other telltale lung cancer signs like a cough that won’t go away or shortness of breath. Unintentional weight loss, chronic fatigue, or coughing up blood may further suggest lung cancer.

    The “typical” symptoms of lung cancer are less likely to be present with lung adenocarcinoma, which often affects non-smokers. The most common symptoms with this type of cancer are fatigue and shortness of breath with exercise, which people may attribute to age or inactivity instead.

    Read Also: Back Pain Cleveland Clinic

    What Are Common Prostate Problems What Are The Symptoms And Signs

    Here are some examples of non-cancer prostate problems:

    Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, means your prostate is enlarged, but is not cancerous. It is very common in older men. An enlarged prostate may make it very difficult to urinate or cause dribbling after you urinate. You may feel the need to urinate a lot, often at night. See your family doctor for an exam. Treatments for BPH include:

    • Watchful waiting, also called active surveillance. If your symptoms are not too bad, your doctor may tell you to wait before starting any treatment to see if the problem gets worse. Your doctor will tell you how often you need to return for checkups. You can start treatment later if your symptoms worsen.
    • Medications. There are medicines that can help shrink the prostate or help relax muscles near your prostate to ease your symptoms. Talk with your doctor about possible side effects.
    • Surgery. If nothing else has worked, your doctor may suggest surgery to help urine flow. There are many types of BPH surgery. Talk with your doctor about the risks. Regular checkups are important after surgery.
    • Other treatments. Sometimes radio waves, microwaves, or lasers are used to treat urinary problems caused by BPH. These methods use different kinds of heat to reduce extra prostate tissue.

    Read Also: Does Enlarged Prostate Affect Ejaculation

    What Does It Mean If Lower Back Pain Is Shooting Into Legs

    Lower back pain can radiate to other parts of the body: up or down from its place of origin. Sometimes lower back pain can be on one side of the back, which is also normal.

    If the pain is shooting from the lower back into one or both legs, it could be sciatica , but its not always the case. There are many parts in the lower back that may cause the pain to radiate into the legs, such as facet joints, sacroiliac joints, muscles or inflammation of the bursa.

    Don’t Miss: Exercise For Lower Back Pain Mayo Clinic

    Lower Back Pain: What Could It Be

    Do you have lower back pain? You are not alone. Anyone can experience lower back pain at any time, even if you dont have a prior injury or any of the risk factors. It is not always serious and can often get better on its own. But in some cases pain is your bodys way of telling you that something isnt right.

    Learn more about lower back pain and what causes it from rehabilitation physician Akhil Chhatre, M.D., who specializes in back pain in the Johns Hopkins Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

    Schwannoma Of The Sciatic Nerve

    Lower Back Pain Cancer – Signs And Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer

    Schwannoma is a benign tumor that develops from the sheath that surrounds a nerve. The lesion may occur in one region of the nerve or all along the course of the nerve. When this condition affects the sciatic nerve, sciatica pain occurs. The pain typically follows the course of the nerve affecting the lower back, thigh, legs, and/or feet. If the tumor grows, the symptoms may become severe.

    While not common, it is possible for schwannoma to become malignant. Both benign and malignant schwannomas must be surgically removed in order to prevent severe neurological deficits and/or complete loss of nerve function.3

    Also Check: Advil Good For Back Pain

    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.

    Who Should I See For Lower Back Pain

    Your primary care physician knows you best and should be your first contact for lower back pain. If he or she is unable to diagnose or treat the issue, you may get referred to a specialist, such as a rehabilitation physician . These specialists practice a comprehensive approach to lower back pain, and can diagnose and treat a variety of conditions that have lower back pain as a symptom.

    Later, you may get referred to a physical therapist, a chiropractor or another practitioner depending on the nature of your back pain. The good news is that surgery is rarely needed for lower back pain. Only about one in ten patients needs lower back surgery, Chhatre says.

    Also Check: Advil Or Tylenol For Back Pain

    What Are The Complications Of Prostatitis

    Men with acute bacterial prostatitis may develop . This widespread inflammation can be life-threatening. It requires immediate medical treatment.

    Antibiotics can cause an upset stomach. Men with chronic bacterial prostatitis may need lots of antibiotics to treat recurring infections. Some people develop antibiotic resistance, making treatment ineffective.

    Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis can lower sperm count, affecting fertility.

    You May Like: Define Prostate

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Most Popular