Prostate cancer remains one of the most common cancers among men in Málaga province, with 1,222 new cases reported in 2024 — a nearly 3% increase from the previous year, according to the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM). Nationwide, more than 32,000 new diagnoses are expected by the end of 2025. Prostate cancer is now the third most frequently diagnosed cancer in Málaga, following lung and breast cancer.
Early Detection Remains Critical
Clinicians emphasize that prostate cancer typically causes no symptoms in its early stages, making routine testing essential. “A simple analysis can save your life,” says Dr. Fernando Gómez Sancha, director of the Institute of Advanced Urological Surgery. Physicians recommend men begin urologic evaluations at age 50, or at age 40 for those with a family history of the disease.
Research shows screening improves survival among high-risk individuals. When detected early and confined to the prostate, the survival rate exceeds 90%, notes Dr. Bernardo Herrera Imbroda, head of Urology at Hospital Clínico.
Advances in Treatment
Robotic surgery has become a key tool in reducing postoperative complications such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Hospital Clínico performs about 400 robotic procedures each year, with roughly 120 involving prostate cancer.
Radiation oncologist Dr. Antonio Lazo Prados reports that modern therapies have significantly reduced side effects while improving long-term outcomes. In metastatic disease, newer technologies—including artificial intelligence tools, molecular profiling, and advanced imaging—have increased survival time from two or three years to as long as seven or eight.
Who Is Most Affected
Nine in ten cases occur in men over age 65, with an average age at diagnosis of about 75. Because the disease often progresses silently, specialists warn that late-stage detection reduces the likelihood of cure. Standard evaluation includes a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, a urologic exam, and, when indicated, digital rectal examination. Suspicious findings typically lead to ultrasound and biopsy.
At Quirónsalud Málaga, Dr. José Ángel Gómez Pascual highlights growing use of MRI–ultrasound fusion biopsy, which allows for more precise sampling of potentially cancerous tissue.
Symptoms in Later Stages
Although early disease is typically asymptomatic, symptoms may emerge as the cancer advances. These can include difficulty starting urination, reduced urine flow, post-void dribbling, frequent nighttime urination, blood in urine or semen, urinary or ejaculatory pain, persistent pain in the hips, pelvis, or lower back, and unexplained weight loss or decreased appetite.
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