Prostate cancer may affect other parts of the body or overlap with other health conditions. Some of these issues may have been present before you were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Others can develop during treatment or even years later. Knowing what to watch out for can help you take charge of your health now and for years to come.

In this article, we’ll discuss the most common complications and medical conditions that are often linked to prostate cancer. We’ll go over how common each one is, when it may appear, and how it’s managed.

Complications and Comorbidities

It helps to understand the terms “complication” and “comorbidity,” which describe different ways one health condition can be related to another. A complication is a health problem that develops as a result of a condition or its treatment. A comorbidity is a separate health condition you have at the same time. Having either type of related condition can affect your prostate cancer treatment options, recovery, prognosis (outlook), and overall health.

Conditions Related to Prostate Cancer

Many complications related to prostate cancer treatment can be managed with medicines, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, or follow-up procedures. Always report any new symptoms or worsening changes to your cancer care team.

Here are some conditions that may be related to prostate cancer.

1. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

“Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)” is the medical term for having an enlarged prostate. It’s very common, especially in older men, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. In fact, it affects up to one-third of men 65 or older. While BPH is not cancerous, it can still raise prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. PSA is a protein made by the prostate gland. It is measured using a simple blood test (PSA test) and is commonly used in prostate cancer screening.

Other prostate conditions include prostatitis, which is swelling or infection of the prostate gland. Prostatitis is more common in younger and middle-aged men and can also raise PSA levels, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Symptoms of these conditions may overlap with prostate cancer symptoms. They include:

• Urinary incontinence
• Weak urine flow
• Pain or burning during urination
• Frequent urination, especially at night

Treatments for these conditions may include antibiotics (for infections), lifestyle changes and home remedies, or procedures done by a urology (urinary system) specialist. If you have BPH or another prostate condition as well as prostate cancer, it can affect testing and treatment planning. So it’s important that your cancer care team knows about all of your health conditions.

2. Urinary Problems

Urinary problems are among the most common complications and symptoms of prostate cancer. While many people are asymptomatic at first, urinary problems are some of the first symptoms that can lead to a diagnosis. These problems happen because the prostate gland sits just below the bladder and wraps around the urethra (tube that carries urine out of the body). When the prostate grows or becomes irritated, it can block urine flow.

Urinary problems can also be a side effect of prostate cancer treatment. For example, radical prostatectomy (surgery to remove the prostate) and radiation therapy can cause urine leakage or urgency. As many as 30 percent of people may have some degree of urinary problems after surgery. These symptoms often appear soon after treatment but may improve over time.

Treatment options may include:

• Pelvic floor exercises
• Bladder training
• Medications
• Surgical procedures

Always tell your oncology team about any new or worsening urinary problems.

3. Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) means trouble getting or keeping an erection. It’s a common complication of prostate cancer, especially after treatment. In one study, about 65 percent of adults who had a radical prostatectomy were diagnosed with ED within five years. Among those who were treated with radiation therapy, about 34 percent reported ED within the same time frame.

This may happen because prostate cancer surgery can affect the nerves that help cause erections. Radiation therapy can also lower blood flow to nearby tissues and nerves. ED may begin soon after treatment or develop gradually over months.

Treatments for ED may include:

• Oral medications
• Penile injections or implants
• Vacuum devices

4. Bone Thinning and Fractures

Bone thinning and fractures are more common in advanced prostate cancer — also known as metastatic prostate cancer. “Metastatic” means the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. In men with castration-resistant prostate cancer — a form that no longer responds well to hormone therapy — about 9 out of 10 develop cancer spread to the bones. This can cause significant bone pain and raise the risk of fractures.

When prostate cancer spreads to the spine, it can press on the spinal cord and nerves. This is called spinal cord compression. Back pain is often the first warning sign.

Treatment often focuses on managing bone involvement. Treatment options may include:

• Bone-strengthening drugs
• Radiation therapy for painful areas
• Pain medicines
• Calcium and vitamin D
• Regular bone scans

5. Bowel Problems

Radiation therapy can irritate surrounding tissues, and some individuals may develop bowel problems, such as loose stools, rectal bleeding, or urgency. These symptoms may start during treatment or weeks later and often improve over time.

6. Lymphedema

If lymph nodes are removed during prostate cancer surgery, some men develop swelling in the legs or groin, called lymphedema. Less commonly, scar tissue can form and narrow the urinary tract, causing trouble urinating.

7. Mental and Emotional Challenges

Facing a diagnosis of prostate cancer can take a heavy emotional toll. Research shows that 15 percent to 27 percent of men with prostate cancer have symptoms of anxiety or depression at some point during their care. These feelings may be strongest after treatment but can occur at diagnosis or even months later.

Depression and anxiety can affect how you think, sleep, eat, and enjoy daily life. You might feel sad, worried, overwhelmed, or unmotivated at times. These feelings are real and common, and they’re not a sign of weakness.

Emotional distress can make it harder to stick with treatment plans and may lower your overall quality of life. Talking with a mental health provider, counselor, support group, or trusted friend or family member can help. Your cancer care team can offer resources to find support.

Join the Conversation

On MyProstateCancerTeam, people share their experiences with prostate cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What complications have you experienced related to prostate cancer or its treatment?