Many cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed before symptoms appear, through the use of a blood test called the prostate-specific antigen test (PSA). Prostate cancer usually has no symptoms in the early stages and may even lack symptoms in later stages. When symptoms are present, they often are mistaken for other conditions, such as urinary tract or bladder infections or benign enlargement of the prostate.

The prostate surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine and semen leave the body in men. When symptoms do occur, many are related to urination. These symptoms include increased urge to urinate, weak or interrupted urine flow, pain or burning during urination, blood in the urine and the sensation that the bladder does not empty. Some men may also experience pain during ejaculation.

If the prostate cancer has metastasized (spread) to the bone, patients may have pain, especially in the hips, lower back or upper thighs.