Sometimes, ignoring a persistent, dull backache can be fatal. Taking to X, internal medicine specialist Dr Priyam Bordoloi shared the tale of a 57-year-old man who was admitted to the hospital due to pain in the back he had been ignoring for months. He thought he had “pulled a muscle,” but sadly it turned out to be metastatic cancer.

He complained of a persistent lower back pain that refused to subside even with painkillers. The doctors at first, treated his pain as a case of musculoskeletal issues, but his blood report showed something alarming: Recurrent UTIs. And that, changed the entire case.

Repeated urinary tract infections in an elderly man are considered an important warning sign that may indicate blockage in the urinary outflow. To investigate the underlying cause, doctors advised an ultrasound examination of the abdomen and pelvis.

Rather than showing only a harmless enlarged prostate, the ultrasound detected a suspicious hypoechoic abnormality within the prostate gland. This unexpected finding significantly altered the direction of the evaluation, prompting the medical team to order a contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis for a more detailed assessment.

A closer review of the bone images from the CT scan revealed a serious development. Dense sclerotic metastatic deposits were present in the lumbar spine, confirming that the disease had already spread beyond the prostate. The separate symptoms now had a single explanation.

The cancer originating in the prostate was blocking the normal flow of urine, leading to repeated urinary tract infections. At the same time, malignant cells had silently spread to the bones of the spine, explaining the persistent lower back pain.

Before proceeding with a biopsy, doctors performed a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test to strengthen their clinical diagnosis. The report showed an alarmingly elevated PSA level, confirming the presence of advanced-stage prostate cancer.

What Are Prostrate Cancer Symptoms

According to Mayo Clinic, prostate cancer frequently develops silently in its initial stages, with many men experiencing no noticeable warning signs. In a large number of cases, the disease is detected during routine health evaluations or screening tests before it has spread beyond the prostate gland. At this localized stage, the cancer is often confined to the prostate and may remain symptom-free for a long time.

As the condition progresses or begins to affect surrounding tissues, a variety of symptoms may appear. These can include the presence of blood in the urine, causing it to appear pink, reddish, or dark brown, as well as blood in the semen. Many men notice an increased need to pass urine, including frequent trips to the bathroom during the day or repeated awakenings at night to urinate. Some may also experience involuntary urine leakage or find it difficult to begin urination despite feeling the urge.

Additional warning signs may include persistent discomfort in the lower back, aching bones, or pain that does not improve. Some individuals develop erectile dysfunction, making it difficult to achieve or maintain an erection. Unexplained weight loss, constant fatigue, and a general lack of energy can also occur. In more advanced cases, weakness affecting the arms or legs may develop, indicating that the disease requires immediate medical attention.