What are the early signs of prostate cancer?

Early prostate cancer often has no symptoms. Some men may notice weak urine flow or frequent urination.

At what age should I get a PSA test?

Men over 50 years old or over 45 if high-risk should discuss PSA testing with their doctor.

Is prostate cancer curable?

Yes. When detected early, prostate cancer has a very high survival rate.

What treatments are available at Renova Hospitals for prostate cancer?

Renova Hospitals provides PSA testing, advanced imaging, surgery (radical prostatectomy), radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and comprehensive cancer care under specialist supervision.

When should I consult Renova Hospitals?

If you have urinary symptoms, elevated PSA levels, or a family history of prostate cancer, consult Renova Hospitals for expert evaluation and early diagnosis.

How can I contact Renova Hospitals for prostate cancer consultation?

You can call 040 2333 3333 to book an appointment, schedule a PSA screening, or speak with a specialist at Renova Hospitals.

Home Blogs Prostate Cancer: Symptoms, Stages, Survival Rate & Treatment in India

By Renova Hospitals

March 02, 2026

Prostate Cancer: Symptoms, Stages, Survival Rate & Treatment in India

Quick Summary

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide.
In 2022, there were 1.47 million new cases and 397,000 deaths globally.
Cases are projected to reach 2.4 million annually by 2040.
In the United States (2026 estimate), 333,830 new cases and 36,320 deaths are expected.
In India, while the overall rate of prostate cancer is lower than in the West, many men are unfortunately diagnosed at advanced stages.
Five-year survival is ~99% for localised disease, but drops significantly in metastatic cases.

What Is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer develops in the prostate gland, a small walnut-shaped gland below the bladder that produces seminal fluid. Most prostate cancers grow slowly, but some types can be aggressive and spread to bones, lymph nodes, and other organs.

Globally, prostate cancer ranks as:

The 4th most common cancer overall
The 2nd most common cancer in men
The 5th leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men

How often this cancer occurs varies wildly around the world. This is mostly due to genetics, screening frequency, and overall access to healthcare.

Global & Indian Prostate Cancer Statistics

Global Trends

1.47 million new cases in 2022
397,000 deaths worldwide
Projected 2.4 million cases and 712,000 deaths by 2040
The highest mortality rates are reported in the African region.
Sadly, men in low-income countries are nearly five times more likely to die from the disease compared to those in wealthier nations.

United States

333,830 new cases
36,320 deaths
Lifetime risk: 1 in 8 men
About 6 in 10 casesare diagnosed after age 65

After a decline between 2007 and 2014 due to reduced PSA screening, incidence has increased by about 3% per year since 2014, partly due to rising advanced-stage diagnoses.

Why Prostate Cancer is a Growing Concern in India

India accounts for approximately 60% of prostate cancer cases in South-Central Asia.

Key data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021:

Age-standardised incidence rate (ASIR): 5.6 per 100,000
Mortality rate: 2.7 per 100,000
There has been a significant rise in overall cases and related deaths since 1990.
ASIR projected to reach 9.15 per 100,000 by 2031
The highest incidence was observed in Delhi and Kerala.
Large regional disparities across Indian states

Unlike in Western countries, where routine screening catches the disease early, 80–85% of Indian patients aren't diagnosed until Stage III or IV. This delay makes treatment much harder and lowers survival rates.

Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer

Currently, only three risk factors are firmly backed by science:

Age (risk rises sharply after 50 years)
Family history (risk doubles if father affected; triples if brother affected)
African ancestry / genetic susceptibility

Other Potential Risk Factors

BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutations
ATM, PALB2, CHEK2, mismatch repair genes
High saturated fat diet
Obesity
Sedentary lifestyle
Possible environmental exposures (cadmium, chemicals)

Hereditary factors contribute to approximately 5–15% of cases.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Early prostate cancer often has no symptoms.

Gives the reader helpful context about what type of symptoms they are about to read.

Urinary Symptoms

Weak or interrupted urine flow
Frequent urination, especially at night
Difficulty starting or stopping urination
Burning or pain during urination

Advanced Symptoms

Blood in urine or semen
Painful ejaculation
Persistent lower back, hip, or pelvic pain
Bone pain (in metastatic disease)

In India, most patients are diagnosed after symptoms appear, whereas in Western countries, many cases are detected during routine PSA screening.

Screening & Diagnosis

PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) Test

PSA is a blood test used to detect prostate abnormalities.
USPSTF recommends individual decision-making for men aged 55–69
Routine screening is not recommended for men over 70
Declines in PSA screening have been linked to increased advanced-stage diagnoses.

Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)

A clinical exam to detect prostate enlargement or nodules.

Imaging & Biopsy

Multiparametric MRI (mpMRI)
Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy
MRI fusion biopsy for precise targeting

MRI improves the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer while reducing unnecessary biopsies.

Staging of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer staging uses:

TNM system (Tumour, Node, Metastasis)
PSA level
Gleason score tumour aggressiveness grading)

Survival by Stage

Localised (Stage I–III): ~99% 5-year survival
Distant/Metastatic (Stage IV): 34–43% 5-year survival

In Indian tertiary care data:

Localised: 89% survival
Locally advanced: 79%
Metastatic: 41%
Overall 5-year survival: 61%

Survival strongly depends on:

Stage at diagnosis
PSA level
Gleason grade
Treatment completion

Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer

Treatment depends on stage, PSA level, Gleason score, age, and patient preference.

1. Active Surveillance

For low-risk cancer.

Regular PSA monitoring
Periodic imaging
Avoids overtreatment

2. Surgery (Radical Prostatectomy)

Removal of the prostate gland.
Best for localised disease.

3. Radiation Therapy

External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)
Often combined with hormone therapy.

4. Hormone Therapy (Androgen Deprivation Therapy – ADT)

Reduces testosterone levels.
Common in advanced disease.

5. Chemotherapy

Used for metastatic or resistant disease.

6. Newer and Emerging Treatments

Abiraterone (STAMPEDE trial: 86% alive at 6 years vs 77%)
Pluvicto (earlier use in trials)
Pasritamig (under Phase 3 evaluation)
ANDROMEDA trial combining radiation + targeted therapies

Side Effects of Prostate Cancer Treatment

Different treatments for prostate cancer can cause different side effects. Most can be managed with proper medical care.

Prostatectomy (Surgery)

Common side effects:

Urinary incontinence
Erectile dysfunction

Management:

Pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises
Medications for erectile function

Radiation Therapy

Possible side effects:

Urinary irritation
Diarrhoea or rectal discomfort

Management:

Diet changes
Medications
Hyaluronic acid rectal spacers to protect the rectum

Hormone Therapy (ADT)

Common side effects:

Fatigue
Hot flashes
Anemia

Management:

Regular exercise
Medications such as venlafaxine

Cryotherapy

Lower risk of incontinence and erectile dysfunction
Rare complications may occur.

Most side effects improve over time with proper treatment and follow-up care.

Survival & Prognosis

Prognosis varies by stage:

Localised disease: Nearly 100% survival
Regional disease: Excellent outcomes with treatment
Metastatic disease: 36–43% 5-year survival
Overall survival in India (hospital-based data): ~61%

Treatment completion dramatically improves survival. Patients completing therapy had a 65% survival rate, compared with 12% in cases with incomplete treatment.

Prevention & Risk Reduction

There is no guaranteed prevention, but risk can be reduced through:

Low-fat diet
Increased fruits and vegetables (broccoli, tomatoes)
Reduced red and processed meat
Regular exercise (30 minutes daily)
Maintaining a healthy weight

Medications such as finasteride and dutasteride have shown a ~25% reduction in incidence in clinical trials.

New technologies are even helping doctors create highly personalised prevention plans based on a patient's unique risk profile.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Consult a healthcare provider if you experience:

Persistent urinary difficulties
Blood in urine or semen
Unexplained pelvic or back pain
Family history of prostate cancer

Men over 50 or earlier if high-risk should discuss PSA testing with their doctor.

Medical Disclaimer

This article is intended for educational purposes and reflects current global and Indian epidemiological data, including information from GBD 2021, SEER, and peer-reviewed clinical studies. It should not replace personalised medical advice. If you have symptoms or risk factors for prostate cancer, consult a qualified healthcare professional for evaluation and guidance.

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