Advanced Prostate Cancer: Frequently Asked Questions

If you just learned that you or a loved one has advanced prostate cancer, you may have many questions and concerns. By taking the time to research your condition, you've taken a good first step. Here are answers to the most common questions. After looking over these answers, click on other articles in this guide to find in-depth information about treatments, side effects, and other issues that affect you and your family.

What is advanced prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is defined as 'advanced' when it spreads outside the prostate gland. It may spread to nearby tissues, lymph nodes, bones, or other parts of the body. It is also called metastatic prostate cancer.

Can advanced prostate cancer be cured?

Currently, no cure exists for advanced prostate cancer. Men can benefit, however, in several ways. Some treatments slow the growth of the cancer. Others reduce symptoms caused by the disease. Until recently, no therapy was offered to prolong life. However, the recently approved chemotherapy drug Taxotere, when taken with the steroid prednisone, has been proven to extend survival by several months. Taxotere is approved only for men with cancer that no longer responds to hormone therapy (called hormone refractory prostate cancer).

What are the side effects of treatment?

Most doctors use hormone therapy to control the spread of advanced prostate cancer. The most frequent side effects caused by hormone therapy include reduced sex drive, impotence, infertility, and osteoporosis (weakened bones). Erectile dysfunction and infertility occur in most men who undergo hormone therapy. The risk and extent of bone loss depends largely on how long a man receives hormone therapy. In many cases, doctors can recommend ways to combat these side effects.

When people no longer respond to hormone therapy, doctors may try a chemotherapy drug called Taxotere. Possible side effects of Taxotere include nausea, hair loss, and bone marrow suppression (the decline or halt of blood cell formation). Patients may also develop fluid retention and pain, tingling, or numbness in the fingers or toes.

It's important for everyone with advanced prostate cancer to discuss their concerns with their doctor before beginning treatment.

What are the symptoms of advanced prostate cancer?

• Difficultly urinating if the cancer has enlarged lymph nodes, causing them to block the flow of urine.
• Weakness from anemia if the prostate cancer is disrupting the production of red blood cells in bone marrow.
• Pain, especially when the cancer has spread to the bones.
• Fractures if bones are severely weakened.

Men who notice early symptoms such as difficulty urinating may have more treatment options than those who notice symptoms only after cancer has spread to the bones.

What can be done to relieve the symptoms of bone metastases?

Drugs called biphosphonates (Actonel, Zometa, and others) can help make bones stronger and prevent fractures. Doctors sometimes perform surgery to support affected bones. Plus, radiation therapy directed at the bone can reduce pain caused by bone metastases.