7 Medical Conditions That Look Like Prostate Cancer (but Aren’t) 
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7 Medical Conditions That Look Like Prostate Cancer (but Aren’t)

7 Medical Conditions That Look Like Prostate Cancer (but Aren’t)
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Published on February 13, 2026
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An elevated result on the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, or symptoms such as urinary frequency or urgency, can be alarming. And while these signs can sometimes signal prostate cancer, that’s not always the case.

 In fact, urinary-related symptoms are common — particularly as men age — and a majority of the time, they're not an indication of cancer.


“The prostate naturally grows over time, which can narrow the urethra and lead to a weaker stream, urgency, or that annoying need to wake up at night to urinate,” says Jamin V. Brahmbhatt, MD, a urologist at Orlando Health and an assistant professor of urology at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Orlando. “While these symptoms are frustrating, they are more due to normal aging or benign conditions rather than cancer.”

Here’s what may be a red flag for prostate cancer versus symptoms typically caused by less serious, noncancerous conditions — and when to see a healthcare provider.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer doesn't always cause symptoms, especially in the early stages. However, symptoms may include:

  • Urinary hesitancy (a urine stream that’s hard to start)
  • A weak urine stream, or one that starts and stops
  • Urinary urgency (needing to go right away)
  • Frequent urination, particularly at night (nocturia)
  • Burning or pain when urinating
  • Blood in your urine or semen
  • Persistent pain in your lower back, hips, or pelvis
  • Painful ejaculation
  • A high PSA blood level

But many of these symptoms may be from other common prostate concerns that aren’t prostate cancer, such as those below.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is the medical term for an enlarged prostate, is typical as men age and is generally harmless.

 As the prostate gets larger, it can press on the urethra (the organ that urine flows through) and lead to urination issues.

“BPH can mimic almost all of the scary symptoms that men associate with cancer: a slow stream, hesitancy, frequent or urgent urination, and sometimes even blood in the urine. The difference is that BPH is just normal, benign growth,” Dr. Brahmbhatt says.

For this condition, though, a physician will typically order testing to determine an accurate diagnosis.

While mild cases of BPH may not require treatment and may improve over time, a healthcare provider will help determine whether medications or surgery are recommended.

Prostatitis (Prostate Inflammation)

Swelling and pain in the prostate gland — known as prostatitis — is the most common prostate concern in men under age 50.

Prostatitis can be chronic (long-lasting) or acute (short-term), and it can also stem from a bacterial infection.

“Prostatitis can trigger pelvic pain, burning during urination, urgency, and even a temporary jump in PSA levels — all of which can understandably panic patients,” says Brahmbhatt.

 “The key differentiator is that prostatitis usually hits suddenly and often clears up with antibiotics or anti-inflammatories,” he explains. “Prostate cancer, by contrast, is rarely that sudden or responsive to quick treatment.”

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most common type of infection in the body, though women contract them four times more often than men due to anatomy.

“UTIs can cause burning, urgency, pelvic discomfort, and sometimes blood in the urine,” Brahmbhatt says. “Because these symptoms overlap with prostate issues, it can be confusing. However, a UTI tends to cause intense, acute symptoms, whereas early-stage prostate cancer is usually silent. A simple urine test usually gives us the answer quickly.”

A specific type of UTI known as acute cystitis (bladder infection) and a related chronic bladder condition known as interstitial cystitis (IC) can also mimic certain prostate cancer symptoms, including pain and urinary urgency.

“Because the bladder and prostate are neighbors, the symptoms often blend together. We usually need a combination of urine culture and imaging to figure out exactly which organ is the cause of concern,” Brahmbhatt explains.

Prostate Atrophy

As a common, generally benign condition, prostate atrophy describes a shrinkage of prostate tissue that can impact the entire prostate, or just part of it. It sometimes occurs as a result of prostate hormone therapy or radiation.

While prostate atrophy can look like prostate cancer under a microscope, it’s usually benign.

“A vast majority of the time, prostate atrophy isn’t cancer,” says Joel Saltzman, MD, a medical oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute in Cleveland. “Any symptoms, like painful urination or going to the bathroom frequently, can just be part of the natural aging process.”

A healthcare provider will determine whether any follow-up monitoring is required based on the biopsy.

Medical Procedures

While it’s not a medical condition, having certain medical procedures can lead to temporarily elevated PSA levels. “[The PSA] is not a perfect test, but it can find a lot of early stage and not-so-aggressive prostate cancers,” Dr. Saltzman says, noting that higher PSA levels don’t always signal a cancer diagnosis.

Measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL), a PSA level below 4 ng/mL generally signals that you don’t have prostate cancer. PSA levels between 4 and 10 are considered the “borderline range” where there’s a 25 percent chance of having prostate cancer, while PSA levels higher than 10 denote a more than 50 percent chance of having prostate cancer, and will likely require further testing.

“Tinkering with the ‘plumbing’ often causes a reaction. Procedures like cystoscopy, catheter placement, or even a rigorous prostate exam can cause inflammation that temporarily bumps up PSA numbers,” says Brahmbhatt. “This is why we recommend patients to avoid any aggressive cycling, sexual activity, and prolonged sitting two to three days before getting a PSA lab test.”

Keep in mind that such procedures can trigger other symptoms that can overlap with prostate cancer, too. “Medical procedures can cause temporary urinary irritation or mild bleeding, which can resemble symptoms people associate with cancer, but they improve without long-term issues,” says Michael S. Leapman, MD, an associate professor of urology at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, who recommends seeking medical evaluation if these symptoms persist after a few weeks.

Other Cancers

Less commonly, other cancers can have symptoms that resemble prostate cancer. These include:

  • Bladder cancer, which can cause blood in the urine, increased urinary frequency, pain or burning during urination, feeling the bladder hasn't completely emptied, back pain, and pelvic pain.

  • Kidney cancer, which can cause blood in the urine and lower back pain.

  • Urethral cancer, which can cause bleeding from the urethra or blood in the urine, frequent urination, or a weak, interrupted urine flow. It can also cause urinary incontinence.

When to See a Doctor

Any new urinary symptoms shouldn’t necessarily induce panic: Most of the time, the cause isn’t prostate cancer, Brahmbhatt says. Still, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider if you notice something unusual. “My rule of thumb is: If it’s new, persistent, or getting worse, get it checked,” says Brahmbhatt.

Call your primary care provider or a board-certified urologist if you see blood in your urine, have a sudden inability to urinate at all, or a fever accompanied by urinary symptoms or severe back pain — which can indicate an infection that requires immediate treatment, Brahmbhatt adds.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that men ages 55 to 69 make individual decisions with their healthcare provider about whether to get screened for prostate cancer.


“Routine screening matters because prostate cancer in its early stages usually produces no symptoms,” Dr. Leapman says. “When we detect it early, outcomes are often highly favorable. Thoughtful interpretation of PSA allows us to diagnose significant cancers while avoiding unnecessary treatment for lower-risk disease.”

The Takeaway

  • Conditions that affect the prostate, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, UTIs, and prostatitis, can cause urination issues, pain, burning, and other symptoms that may resemble prostate cancer.
  • Urinary-related symptoms are common — particularly as men age — and a majority of the time, are not an indication of cancer.
  • Experts recommend discussing changes in urinary habits with a healthcare provider, particularly if they’re new, persistent, or getting worse.
  • Seek urgent medical attention if you notice blood in your urine or a fever accompanied by urinary symptoms.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
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Meet Our Experts
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Christopher Wolter, MD

Medical Reviewer

Christopher Wolter, MD, is an assistant professor in urology at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona. He has been in practice since 2008, specializing in the areas of urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, urologic reconstruction, urologic prosthetics, post prostate cancer survivorship, erectile dysfunction, neurourology and neuromodulation, and overall functional considerations of urogenital health.

Dr. Wolter has been heavily involved in urologic education. He spent the last 12 years heavily involved in resident education and leadership for his department, including the last eight years as urology residency program director. He currently serves as the director of urologic education for the preclinical and clinical rotations for the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Phoenix, Arizona, campus.

Wolter completed his undergraduate and medical education at the University of Illinois. He then completed his urology residency at Tulane University in New Orleans, followed by a fellowship in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive urology at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Cristina Mutchler

Cristina Mutchler

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Cristina Mutchler is an award-winning journalist with more than a decade of experience covering health and wellness content for national outlets. She previous worked at CNN, Newsy, and the American Academy of Dermatology. A multilingual Latina and published bilingual author, Cristina has a master's degree in Journalism from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University.

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