The walnut-shaped prostate gland is part of a man?s reproductive system. Its primary role is to add fluid to sperm to produce semen. Just as cells elsewhere in the body can turn cancerous, the cells of the prostate gland can become prone to cancer.

Some men will have no prostate cancer symptoms, especially when the disease is in its early stages. Others will experience a number of different symptoms. Many of the signs involve urination. Urinary prostate cancer symptoms can be similar to symptoms of noncancerous prostate growth, including difficulty starting urination or emptying the bladder. Some men experience a weaker than usual urine stream. Prostate cancer can also reveal itself as blood in the urine.

Some prostate cancer symptoms become apparent during intercourse. Men may notice blood in their semen, or discomfort when they ejaculate. They may also have pain in the pelvic area.

When prostate cancer spreads, it sometimes reaches the bones. Metastatic prostate cancer symptoms can include pain in the bones, particularly in the bones of the pelvis, hips, and spine.

Men who have prostate cancer symptoms should see a urologist or other health professional for testing. Prostate cancer is diagnosed by removing a piece of tissue from the prostate gland?a procedure called a biopsy. Typically, several pieces of tissue are taken from different areas of the prostate. The tissue samples are sent to a pathology lab for examination. Prostate cancer is graded using a system called the Gleason score, which indicates how likely the cancer is to spread. Prostate cancers with a lower Gleason score are less likely to spread, while cancers with a higher score are more likely to spread. The Gleason score, along with the stage of the cancer, helps the doctor determine which treatment will be most appropriate and effective.