Description

Metastatic prostate cancer is a cancer that starts in the prostate and spreads to other parts of the body. Other terms for this condition include the advanced prostate cancer and stage 4 prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is a growth of cells that begins in the prostate. The prostate is a small gland that helps to make the liquid part of the semen. It is located just below the bladder. The prostate is part of the male reproductive system.

The majority of prostate cancers are found when the cancer is found only in the prostate. It is less common for a person to have metastatic prostate cancer when first diagnosed with prostate cancer. Metastatic prostate cancer that happens more often in people who had treatment for prostate cancer in the past.

There are many treatments for metastatic prostate cancer. The treatments are not likely to cure the cancer, but they can slow their growth.

Symptoms

Metastatic prostate cancer does not always cause symptoms. As the cancer grows and becomes more advanced, the symptoms may occur. The signs and symptoms of metastatic prostate cancer may include:

  • Feeling very tired.
  • Need to urinate more often or feeling pain while urinating.
  • Losing weight without trying.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • The pain, which can be felt in the back, hips, pelvis or a bone. The pain tends to worsen with time.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if you have any symptoms that worry you. If you have been treated for prostate cancer in the past, tell your health care professional.

Causes

It is not clear what causes prostate cancer metastatic. This advanced form of prostate cancer occurs when cancer cells break away from where we started in the prostate. Cancer cells can travel through the lymphatic system or blood to other areas of the body. A metastatic prostate cancer is also a stage 4 prostate cancer.

Metastatic prostate cancer most often spreads to the:

  • Of the bones.
  • The lymph nodes.
  • Liver.
  • Lungs.

Few places in metastasis of prostate cancer spreads include:

  • The adrenal glands.
  • Brain.
  • The pancreas.

Risk factors

The risk factors that increase the risk of metastatic prostate cancer are the same for prostate cancer in general. Factors that may increase the risk of prostate cancer include:

  • Advanced age. The risk of prostate cancer increases with age. It is more common after 50 years of age.
  • Race and ethnicity. In the united States, Blacks have a higher risk of prostate cancer than people of other races and ethnicities. Health professionals are not exactly sure why. In Black people, the prostate cancer is also more likely to grow quickly or to be advanced when detected.
  • Family history of prostate cancer. If a blood relative, such as a parent or a sibling has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, the risk may be higher. The risk may also be increased if other close relatives have had prostate cancer. This includes the grandparents and the parents, brothers and sisters.
  • The history of the family of the changes in the DNA. Some changes in the DNA that increase the risk of cancer are passed from parents to children. The changes in the DNA called BRCA1 and BRCA2 can cause an increased risk of prostate cancer. These changes in the DNA are known to increase the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
  • Obesity. People with obesity have a higher risk of prostate cancer compared to people considered to have a healthy weight. The studies on this topic have had mixed results. In people with obesity, prostate cancer is more likely to grow quickly and are more likely to return after treatment.
  • The smoking of tobacco. Some studies show a link between smoking and cancer of the prostate. But not all studies are in agreement. People with prostate cancer who smoke may have an increased risk of the cancer coming back. People who smoke also have a higher risk of the cancer spreading beyond the prostate.

Complications

Some treatments for metastatic prostate cancer can cause thinning of the bones. This complication can cause bones to break more easily.

To help reduce the risk of thinning bones, your health care team may recommend that you:

  • Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
  • Quit smoking if you smoke.
  • Do 30 minutes of weight-bearing exercise most days of the week. Weight-bearing exercises include activities in which his legs to carry his weight. Examples include strength training, weight lifting, walking, running, basketball, and pickleball.
  • Eating foods that are rich in calcium. Examples include dairy products, such as cheese, milk and yogurt, and some vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli and kale.
  • Take vitamin supplements, but do not do this without talking with your health care team. Your health care team can tell you what vitamins to take and how much to take.

You could have bone density tests when you begin treatment. The test can be repeated every year or two for the signs of thinning of the bones. Sometimes, medications can help to build the bones start to thin out.

Diagnosis

Metastatic prostate cancer diagnosis often involves blood tests and imaging tests. A metastatic prostate cancer is an advanced cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. This makes it a stage 4 prostate cancer.

PSA test for prostate cancer metastatic

A prostate specific antigen test that measures the amount of prostate specific antigen in the blood. Prostate-specific antigen, also called PSA, is a substance that the cells of the prostate do. Some PSA circulates in the blood. A PSA test detects the level of PSA in the blood sample. Having a high level of PSA in the blood may be a sign of prostate cancer.

Many people have regular PSA tests after treatment of prostate cancer. An increase in the levels of PSA may be the first sign that the cancer has returned. If your PSA level has been going up, your health care team may recommend imaging tests to look for signs of metastatic prostate cancer.

Imaging tests for metastatic prostate cancer

Imaging tests create pictures of the body. For metastatic prostate cancer, imaging tests can make the images, which can show the places where the cancer has spread.

Imaging tests are used to detect metastatic prostate cancer include:

  • A bone scan. A bone scan is used nuclear imaging to take pictures. The Nuclear imaging involves the use of small amounts of radioactive substances, called radioactive tracers. A special camera can detect the radioactivity is also used in conjunction with a computer. The tracer can highlight areas of cancer in the bones. A bone scan can be used to detect prostate cancer spreads to the bones.
  • A computed tomography scan. A computed tomography scan, also called a CT scan, is a type of image that uses the techniques of X-rays to create detailed pictures of the body. Then, a computer creates cross-sectional images, also called slices, of the bones and soft tissues inside the body. A ct scan can detect prostate cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes, organs, or other places in the body.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging, also called magnetic resonance imaging, uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create pictures of the inside of the body. Magnetic resonance imaging can detect the cancer in the prostate. You can also detect cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes or other places in the body.
  • A positron emission tomography scan. A positron emission tomography scan, also called a PET scan, is a nuclear imaging test. It uses a radioactive tracer is injected into a vein. The tracer contains a substance that helps it to adhere to the cells that the test is looking for. The PET images show the places where the marker accumulates. A pet scan can search throughout the body to detect metastatic prostate cancer.
  • A prostate-specific membrane antigen PET. The prostate-specific membrane antigen PET is also called a PSMA PET scan. Like any other PET, this test uses a radioactive tracer. The tracer contains a substance that helps the marker adhere to prostate cancer cells. The substance binds to a protein found on the surface of prostate cancer cells. The protein called prostate-specific membrane antigen. A PSMA-PET can detect prostate cancer that has spread in any part of the body.
  • A choline C-11 PET. A choline C-11 PET scan is a type of PET. Like any other PET, this test uses a radioactive tracer. Prostate cancer cells occupy most of the tracer most of the other cells in the body. This test can be used if other imaging tests have not found the metastatic prostate cancer.

Metastatic prostate cancer biopsy

A biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of tissue for testing in a lab. For metastatic prostate cancer, the type of biopsy that you have depends on where the cancer has spread. Often, a health care professional inserts a needle through the skin and in cancer in order to obtain some cells.

In the laboratory, tests can show if the relative growth of the cells are made up of prostate cancer cells. Other tests on the cells might provide more information. Tests of calls biomarker tests can help the health care team to decide which treatments are most likely to work.

Genetic testing for metastatic prostate cancer

Genetic testing uses a sample of blood or saliva to find variations in the DNA. Some of metastatic prostate cancer treatments work better in people who are born with or who develop certain variations of DNA. Sometimes the genetic tests provide information on the risk of cancer that may be useful to the blood relatives.

The prognosis of metastatic prostate cancer

Metastatic prostate cancer usually can't be cured. But treatments can slow the growth of cancer and prolong its life. Some people with cancer want to know their prognosis. For an advanced cancer that is not curable, the prognosis refers to how long you can expect to live with cancer. Things that can affect your personal prognosis for metastatic prostate cancer may include:

  • Of his age.
  • Your health in general.
  • If this is your first diagnosis of prostate cancer or if the cancer has returned after treatment.
  • The results of the PSA test.
  • If the cancer is causing symptoms.
  • When the cancer spreads.
  • How many different places that cancer to spread.
  • If the cancer cells are sensitive to hormone therapy treatments.
  • The genetic makeup of their cancer.

If you are interested in getting to know their prognosis, talk with your health care team. Your health care team can explain what is considered when you think about your prognosis.

Treatment

The treatment for metastatic prostate cancer often starts with hormone therapy. This treatment blocks the effects of the hormones that the prostate cancer cells to help them grow. If the cancer begins to grow again, other treatments may be used.

Finally, the majority of prostate cancers metastatic to find the way to grow up without hormones. When this happens, the health professionals call these advanced cancer castration-resistant prostate cancer. Hormone therapy treatments tend to continue. But other drugs may be added to the treatment plan. These treatments can include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiopharmaceuticals treatments.

There are many treatments available for metastatic prostate cancer, also called stage 4 prostate cancer. If treatment stops working, there are often no other options. Metastatic prostate cancer treatments can decrease the cancer and prolong its life. But the metastatic prostate cancer often can't be cured.

Hormone therapy for metastatic prostate cancer

Hormone therapy for prostate cancer is a treatment that stops the hormone testosterone, either in fact or reaching prostate cancer cells. Prostate cancer cells rely on testosterone to help them grow. Cutting off the supply of testosterone can cause cancer cells to die or to grow more slowly.

Hormone therapy treatments for metastatic prostate cancer include:

  • Medicines that stop the body from producing testosterone. Some medications prevent the cells from getting the signals that tell them to produce testosterone. These medicines are referred to as luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists and antagonists. Another name for these drugs LHRH agonists and antagonists. Medicines that work in this way include degarelix (Firmagon), leuprolide (Camcevi, Eligard, Lupron Depot), and other medications.
  • Medicines that stop the testosterone to act on the cancer cells. These drugs, known as anti-androgens, are often used with LHRH agonists. That is because the LHRH agonists may cause a brief increase in the levels of testosterone before the levels of testosterone decrease. The drugs that work this way include bicalutamide (Casodex), and other medications.
  • New medications for hormone therapy. The new forms of anti-androgen medications, sometimes called androgen receptor pathway inhibitors or androgen receptor signaling inhibitors. Also stop testosterone from acting on the cancer cells. The drugs that work this way include apalutamide (Erleada), darolutamide (Nubeqa) and enzalutamide (Xtandi).
  • Other medications that block hormones. Other parts of the body can help to make testosterone. Some people need drugs to block these other sources of hormones for the control of cancer. An example of a drug that works as this is abiraterone (Yonsa, Zytiga).
  • The surgery to remove the testes, called orchiectomy. Surgery to remove both testicles lower the levels of testosterone in the body quickly.

For metastatic prostate cancer, hormone therapy often involves two types of hormone therapy treatments. If the prostate cancer has spread to many other places in the body, treatment may also include chemotherapy.

Side effects of prostate cancer hormonal therapy include hot flashes, the body of the loss of hair, loss of muscle mass and increase in body fat. There may be a loss of sexual desire, and can be more difficult to get an erection. Other hormone therapy risks include an increase in the likelihood of developing diabetes and heart disease.

Chemotherapy for metastatic prostate cancer

Chemotherapy treats the cancer with strong medications. The chemotherapy medications are sometimes used with other medicines for hormone therapy for metastatic prostate cancer. Chemotherapy also helps to treat advanced prostate cancer when hormone therapy is not working.

Chemotherapy drugs commonly used for prostate cancer include docetaxel (Beizray, Docivyx, Taxotere), cabazitaxel (Jevtana), and other medications. A healthcare provider will give you medication through a vein. The treatments typically occur once every three weeks. Side effects of these medicines include feeling very tired, easy bruising, and the most frequent infections. It can also cause damage to the nerves in the fingers of the hands and feet, a condition called peripheral neuropathy. This can cause numbness, tingling, or pain in the fingers of the hands and feet.

Other chemotherapy drugs exist. Your healthcare team choose the best drugs for cancer.

Targeted therapy for metastatic prostate cancer

Targeted therapy for cancer is a treatment that uses drugs that attack cancer cells in a specific manner that causes the cells to die.

For metastatic prostate cancer, targeted therapy drugs may be used when hormonal therapy is not working.

Many targeted therapy drugs. The targeted therapy drug is sometimes used for the metastatic prostate cancer include:

  • Niraparib (Zejula).
  • Olaparib (Lynparza).
  • Rucaparib (Rubraca).
  • Talazoparib (Talzenna).

These targeted therapy medications come in the form of pills or capsules to swallow. Medications that block the action of enzymes in cancer cells that help the repair of DNA breaks. These targeted therapy drugs work best in people with certain changes in the DNA of their cells. To find out if these changes are present in your cells, your health care team can do a test of a sample of blood or saliva, as well as some of the cancer cells.

Medication side effects of targeted therapy for metastatic prostate cancer include tiredness, nausea and loss of appetite. Other side effects include diarrhea, cough, easy bruising, and the most frequent infections.

Immunotherapy for metastatic prostate cancer

Immunotherapy for cancer is a treatment with a medication that helps the body's immune system destroys the cancer cells. The immune system fights diseases by attacking the germs and other cells that should not be in the body. Cancer cells survive by hiding from the immune system. Immunotherapy helps the cells of the immune system find and kill cancer cells.

For metastatic prostate cancer, immunotherapy treatments most often involve drugs called immune checkpoint inhibitors. These medicines help the cells of the immune system to find cancer cells. Some cells can send signals called immune checkpoints for the immune system. Immune control points to tell immune cells not to attack. Normally, the immune system of the control stations helps to keep the immune system damage to healthy cells. But some cancer cells also send these signals. Immune checkpoint inhibitor drugs prevent cancer cells to send a signal to not attack.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor drugs only work in people with cancer of the cells that have certain changes in the DNA. The majority of prostate cancers do not respond to this treatment. An example of a point-of-control immune inhibitor used for prostate cancer is pembrolizumab (Keytruda). Side effects may include feeling very tired, itchy skin, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and skin rash. Sometimes, this treatment causes the immune system to attack the organs, leading to serious complications.

Radiopharmaceuticals treatments for metastatic prostate cancer

Radiopharmaceutical treatments are medicines that contain a radioactive substance. Radiopharmaceutical treatments used for cancer can deliver radiation to the cancer cells.

Radiopharmaceutical treatments used for the metastatic prostate cancer include:

  • Treatments that target PSMA. Radiopharmaceutical treatments can target a protein that is very common in cancer cells of the prostate called prostate-specific membrane antigen. It is also called PSMA. One of the radiopharmaceuticals in medicine that works this way is the lutetium Lu-177 vipivotide tetraxetan (Pluvicto). This medication contains a molecule that is found and sticks to the PSMA in prostate cancer cells. The medication also contains a radioactive substance. A healthcare provider will give you this medicine through a vein. The drug is the prostate cancer cells and release of radiation directly to the cells. You can treat prostate cancer in any part of the body. PSMA therapy only works if the prostate cancer cells have the PSMA protein. Side effects include dry mouth, dry eyes, nausea, and tiredness.
  • Treatments that target the bone. Some of the radiopharmaceuticals drugs contain a radioactive substance that is attracted to the bones. When a health care professional puts this medication into a vein, it travels to the bones and releases radiation. A medication that works this way is the radius of the Ra-223 (Xofigo). Health professionals sometimes used when prostate cancer spreads to the bones, but not to other parts of the body. This treatment can help with the bone pain and other symptoms. Side effects include diarrhea and feeling very tired.

Radiation therapy for metastatic prostate cancer

Radiation therapy treats cancer with powerful rays of energy. The energy can come from X-rays, protons, and other sources. During radiation therapy, you lie on a table while a machine that directs radiation to precise points on your body.

If the initial treatment for prostate cancer does not involve the removal of the prostate, you may have radiation therapy to the prostate. Could be an option if you have only a few areas of metastatic prostate cancer.

Radiation therapy can also help to control metastatic prostate cancer that spreads to the bones. The radiation to the affected bone may help with the pain and lower the chances that the bone can break.

Clinical trials for metastatic prostate cancer

Clinical trials are studies of new treatments. These studies provide an opportunity to test the latest treatments. The risk of side effects may not be known. Ask your health care team if you might be able to be in a clinical trial.

Palliative care for metastatic prostate cancer

Palliative care is a special type of health care that helps you feel better when you have a serious illness. If you have cancer, palliative care can help relieve the pain and other symptoms. A team of health professionals providing palliative care. This team may include doctors, nurses and other specially trained professionals. Your goal is to improve the quality of life for you and your family.

Palliative care specialists work with you, your family and your health care team to help you to feel better. They provide an extra layer of support, while you have cancer treatment. You can have palliative care at the same time as treatment for the cancer, such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

When palliative care is used with all of the other appropriate treatments, people with cancer may feel better and live longer.

Alternative medicine

There is No alternative medicine therapies have been proven to cure metastatic prostate cancer. But the complementary and alternative medicine may help you cope with the symptoms of your cancer, such as pain.

Complementary and alternative medicine treatments that may reduce the pain of cancer include:

  • Acupuncture.
  • The acupressure.
  • Hypnosis.
  • The massage.
  • Relaxation techniques.

If the pain is not controlled enough, talk to a member of your health care team about your options.

Coping and support

People who are diagnosed with a serious illness, often say that they feel stressed. In time, you will find ways to help deal with stress, and other emotions that come with a diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer. Until you find what works for you, some of the following suggestions may help.

Learn about your cancer

Learn enough about your cancer to help you make decisions about your care. Ask a member of your health care team about the details of your cancer and your treatment options. Ask about trusted sources of more information.

Find a good listener

Find someone who is willing to listen to you talk about your hopes and fears can be useful when managing a cancer diagnosis. This could be a friend or family member. A counselor, medical social worker, or a member of the clergy can also provide useful guidance and care.

Also, ask about support groups in your area. Or check with the organizations of cancer. In the united States, you might want to start with the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society.

To find a connection to something beyond yourself

Having a strong faith or a sense of something greater than yourself helps many people deal with advanced cancer.

Preparing for your appointment

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if they continue to symptoms that worry you. If you have had prostate cancer in the past, tell your health care professional. If your doctor thinks you might have metastatic prostate cancer, a person may refer you to a doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer is called an oncologist.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

When you call to make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do before you go to the appointment, such as restrict your diet. Ask a family member or friend to go with you to help you remember the information that is obtained.

Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms and when they began. Include symptoms that do not seem to be related to the reason for the appointment.
  • All the drugs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking, including dosage.
  • Questions to ask your health care team.

For metastatic prostate cancer, the questions may include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms?
  • What are other possible causes of the symptoms?
  • What tests do I need?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • There are restrictions that must be followed?
  • You should see a specialist?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?

Be sure to ask all the questions you have about your condition.

What to expect from your doctor

Be prepared to answer questions about your symptoms and your health, such as:

  • The symptoms been constant or come and go?
  • Do your symptoms get in the way of your everyday activities?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything appears to worsen your symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of Metastatic prostate cancer