Prostate Cancer, Advanced or Metastatic - When To Call a Doctor
Call your doctor immediately if you:
- Are completely unable to urinate.
- Have painful urination and a fever higher than 100°F (37.78°C), chills, or body aches.
- Have blood or pus in your urine or semen.
Call your doctor to schedule an appointment if you have unexplained:
Understanding Prostate Cancer -- Prevention
The best way to detect prostate cancer in its early stages is with regular digital prostate exams and prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood tests. Because most malignant prostate tumors originate in the part of the gland nearest the rectum, many cancers can be detected during routine rectal examinations. Many doctors recommend an annual rectal exam, supplemented by a PSA blood test, starting at age 50 for most men. The screenings are recommended beginning at age 40 to 45 for African Americans and...
Read the Understanding Prostate Cancer -- Prevention article > >
- Weight loss.
- Dull, aching pain in your lower back, pelvis, or hips.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the groin area. These nodes are usually not tender.
Active surveillance
Active surveillance (watchful waiting) may mean not trying to get rid of the cancer. If an older man has serious health problems and isn't expected to live long, he may not be able to handle treatments or even want to have treatments except those needed to keep him comfortable (palliative care).
But active surveillance sometimes means a man will be watched closely by his doctor and have regular checkups. If the cancer starts to grow more quickly, he will have other treatment.
Active surveillance may not be a choice when prostate cancer has spread.
Sometimes men who have PSA levels that are rising slowly after having treatment may not start hormone treatments right away but be monitored with active surveillance.
Who to see
Doctors who can treat locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer include:
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
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