Treatment options
Advanced Prostate Cancer
Advanced prostate cancer refers to prostate cancer that has spread beyond the prostate gland to other parts of the body or has become more difficult to treat. This stage of cancer typically indicates that the disease has either locally advanced (spread to nearby tissues) or metastasized (spread to distant organs or bones). Advanced prostate cancer is more complex and may require a combination of treatments to manage its progression.
Types of Advanced Prostate Cancer
1. Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer
The cancer has grown outside the prostate to nearby tissues, such as the seminal vesicles, bladder, or rectum, but hasn’t spread to distant parts of the body.
2. Metastatic Prostate Cancer
The cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, such as bones, lymph nodes, lungs, or liver. Metastatic prostate cancer is considered more severe and is harder to control.
3. Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC)
Cancer that continues to grow even when the level of testosterone (a hormone that fuels prostate cancer growth) is reduced to very low levels through hormonal therapy.
4. Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer that still responds to hormone therapy, which reduces the level of androgens (male hormones) to slow or stop the growth of the cancer.
Treatment Options for Advanced Prostate Cancer
1. Hormonal Therapy (Androgen Deprivation Therapy, ADT)
Aims to reduce or block the production of testosterone, slowing the growth of cancer cells.
2. Chemotherapy
Used when cancer has spread widely, chemotherapy helps to kill rapidly growing cancer cells throughout the body.
3. Targeted Therapy
These drugs specifically target cancer cell mechanisms and are used for cancers with specific mutations or characteristics.
5. Radiation Therapy
External beam radiation or radiopharmaceuticals may be used to shrink tumors or treat bone metastases to reduce pain.
5. Immunotherapy
This treatment boosts the body’s immune system to help it attack and destroy cancer cells.
6. Bone-Targeting Therapies
If cancer has spread to the bones, these therapies help strengthen bones and reduce the risk of fractures or pain.
7. Clinical Trials
Patients with advanced prostate cancer may be eligible for clinical trials, which offer access to new and experimental therapies.
Symptoms of Advanced Prostate Cancer
- Pain, especially in the bones (hips, spine, or ribs)
- Difficulty urinating or blood in the urine
- Fatigue and weakness
- Swelling in the legs or feet
- Unintended weight loss
- Erectile dysfunction
Prognosis
While advanced prostate cancer is more challenging to cure, it can often be managed for many years with treatment. The goal of treatment is typically to slow the cancer’s growth, manage symptoms, and maintain quality of life for as long as possible.