Prostatitis is an inflamed prostate often caused by bacterial infections. Prostate cancer develops when cells in your prostate replicate too much and form a tumor.
Your prostate is a walnut-sized organ under your bladder that helps transport and nourish sperm. Problems with your prostate frequently cause symptoms like frequent or painful urination.
Prostatitis is inflammation of your prostate that’s often caused by bacterial infections. It’s called acute prostatitis when it develops quickly and chronic prostatitis when it becomes a long-term problem.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in males other than skin cancer. It develops when cells in your prostate replicate uncontrollably. If left untreated, it can spread to other organs and can cause life threatening complications.
This article compares the similarities and differences between prostatitis and prostate cancer, including symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
Here’s a look at the symptoms of prostatitis and prostate cancer.
Prostatitis symptoms
Prostatitis can cause symptoms like:
- pain when urinating
- difficulty urinating
- frequent urination
- pain in your penis, scrotum, or testicles
- pain when ejaculating
- fever
People with acute prostatitis develop symptoms suddenly and may develop a high fever and intense pain. People with chronic forms of prostatitis often have
Prostate cancer symptoms
Prostate cancer often doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms in the early stages until the tumor grows large. When
- problems when urinating, such as:
- weak stream
- frequent urination
- needing to urinate often at night
- blood in your urine or semen
Advanced prostate cancer can cause:
- erectile dysfunction
- pain in your
- hips
- back
- chest
- bones
- weakness or numbness in your feet or legs
- loss of bladder or loss of bowel control
- unintentional weight loss
- extreme fatigue
These are the potential causes of prostatitis and prostate cancer.
Prostatitis causes
There are four main types of prostatitis:
- Acute bacterial prostatitis: Acute bacterial prostatitis is caused by a sudden bacterial infection.
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis: Chronic bacterial prostatitis is a long-term bacterial infection that causes milder symptoms that may come and go.
- Chronic prostatitis (chronic pelvic pain syndrome): This form of prostatitis often lasts for months but isn’t caused by a bacterial infection. It may be linked to:
- previous infection
- nervous system dysfunction
- immune system dysfunction
- stress
- hormonal problems
- Asymptomatic prostatitis: This form doesn’t cause symptoms, and the cause is often not unknown.
Prostate cancer causes
Like all cancers, prostate cancer develops when cells replicate uncontrollably. This overreplication is caused by DNA changes in prostate cells. It’s usually unknown why these changes occur, but it’s thought that a combination of genetic and environmental factors plays a role.
The following may increase your risk of prostatitis or prostate cancer.
Prostatitis risk factors
Bacteria prostatitis
- prostate manipulation, such as during some medical procedures
- narrowing of your urethra
- benign prostatic hyperplasia
- being unable to retract your foreskin (phimosis)
- urethritis, inflammation of your urethra
- diabetes
- immunosuppression (a reduction in the effectiveness of the immune system)
- history of sexually transmitted infections
Prostate cancer risk factors
- older age
- African or Caribbean ancestry
- family history
- certain genetic factors, such as Lynch syndrome or BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations
There’s less evidence to support a link between prostate cancer and:
Some
It’s important to see a doctor or healthcare professional if you develop potential symptoms of prostatitis or prostate cancer. An early diagnosis can help you prevent complications and improve your outcome.
The
- 50 years old for men at an average risk
- 45 years old for men at high risk (for those with a father or brother who had prostate cancer before 65 years of age, or are African American)
- 40 years old for men with a very high risk (for those with two or more first degree relatives have prostate cancer at an early age)
Tests that doctors may order to identify problems with your prostate include:
- digital rectal exam
- urine tests
- imaging tests like a pelvic ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests
- prostate biopsy
Here’s a look at the treatment options for prostatitis and prostate cancer.
Prostatitis treatment
Here’s how each type of prostatitis is generally treated:
| Type | Primary treatment |
|---|---|
| acute bacterial prostatitis | short course of antibiotics |
| chronic bacterial prostatitis | longer course of antibiotics |
| chronic prostatitis | • physical therapy • biofeedback • relaxation exercises |
| asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis | usually no treatment |
Prostate cancer treatment
Some common treatments for prostate cancer include:
Prostatitis often isn’t preventable, but using protection during sex can help prevent prostatitis caused by sexually transmitted infections.
Prostate cancer is also often not preventable. Taking care of your overall health may help you prevent cancer in general. This includes:
- eating a healthy diet
- avoiding or quitting smoking
- exercising regularly
Here are some frequently asked questions people have about prostatitis and prostate cancer.
Can prostate cancer be misdiagnosed as prostatitis?
Prostate cancer can sometimes be mistaken for prostatitis, especially in the early stages.
Can prostatitis lead to prostate cancer?
Many studies but not all show that chronic prostatitis may increase your risk of prostate cancer.
What is the most common age for prostatitis diagnosis?
Prostatitis is the most common urological condition in men
Can ejaculating too much cause prostatitis?
Current evidence doesn’t support a connection between frequent ejaculation and prostatitis.
What’s the difference between prostatitis, prostate cancer, and an enlarged prostate?
Prostatitis is inflammation of your prostate. Prostate cancer is when there is too much replication of cells in your prostate. An enlarged prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia, is a noncancerous enlargement of your prostate gland.
Prostatitis and prostate cancer are two conditions that affect your prostate gland and can cause symptoms like trouble urinating or frequent urination.
It’s important to see a doctor anytime you develop symptoms that might suggest a problem with your prostate. Prostatitis and prostate cancer are both often easier to treat when they’re caught early.