Prostate cancer emergencies

Abstract

Urological emergencies of prostate cancer are increasingly becoming more common and may present to emergency departments, general physicians, and urologists. Importantly, they may result in pain and discomfort (urinary retention and skeletal fractures), loss of function (neurological complication or priapism), or in rare cases death (bone fractures, infected obstructed kidneys, and sepsis). Hence, it is mandatory to have a full understanding of the clinical presentation of these emergencies, and in addition, appreciation of rapid diagnosis and expeditious treatment is mandatory. This chapter reviews the presentation, diagnosis, and clinical treatment of acute emergencies related to prostate cancer and the complications of treatments.