Is this topic for you?
This topic is about
prostate cancer that has spread or come back after treatment. For information on prostate cancer that has not spread outside the prostate (localized prostate cancer), see the topic Prostate Cancer.
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is a group of cells that grows faster than normal in a
man's prostate gland. It can spread into other areas and kill normal
prostate gland sits just below a man's bladder. It makes part of the fluid for
semen. In young men, the prostate is about the size of
a walnut. It usually grows larger as you grow older.
may be one of these types:
- Locally advanced prostate cancer. This is cancer that
has grown through the outer rim of the prostate and into nearby tissue.
- Metastatic prostate cancer. This is cancer that has
spread, or metastasized, to the
lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
- Recurrent prostate cancer. This is cancer that has
come back after it was treated. The cancer can come back in the prostate, near
the prostate, or in another part of the body. If it comes back in another part
of the body—often the bones—it is still called prostate cancer, because it
started in the prostate.
What causes prostate cancer?
Experts don't know what causes prostate cancer. But they believe that
getting older and having a family history of prostate cancer raise your chance
of getting it.
What are the symptoms?
Sometimes there are no symptoms of either locally
advanced or metastatic prostate cancer.
When they do appear,
symptoms of locally advanced prostate cancer include:
- Waking up many times during the night to urinate.
- Having trouble starting your urine stream, having a
weaker-than-normal stream, or not being able to urinate at all.
- Having pain or a burning feeling when you urinate.
- Having blood in your urine.
- Having a deep pain or stiffness in your lower back, upper
thighs, or hips.
Symptoms of metastatic prostate cancer may include:
- Bone pain.
- Weight loss.
- Swelling in your legs and feet.
How is prostate cancer diagnosed?
Your doctor will do a
digital rectal exam, in which he or she puts a gloved,
lubricated finger in your rectum to feel your prostate. You may also have a
blood test called a
prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. These tests will
help find out if you have prostate cancer or if your prostate cancer has come
Your doctor also may do a
biopsy. In this test, your doctor takes samples of
tissue from your prostate gland or from the area where the cancer may have
spread and sends the samples to a lab for testing. A biopsy is the only way to
know for sure that you have prostate cancer.
If you have had
prostate cancer before, your doctor may also order a
CT scan, or
MRI to see if it has come back or spread.
Learning that you have cancer that has spread or come back can be very hard. Some people find that it helps to talk about their feelings with their family and friends. You may also want to talk with your doctor or with other people who have had this kind of cancer. Your local American Cancer Society chapter can help you find a support group.
How is it treated?
Your treatment choices depend on your overall health,
how fast the cancer is growing, and how far it has spread.
Locally advanced prostate cancer may be treated with surgery, radiation
therapy, hormone therapy, or a combination of these.
Treatment of metastatic cancer
focuses on slowing the spread of the cancer and relieving symptoms, such as
bone pain. It also can help you feel better and live longer. Treatment may
include hormone therapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.
In some cases, men may be able to wait before starting treatment (active surveillance). But older men with other serious health problems may decide not to have treatment except for what is needed to treat any symptoms (watchful waiting).
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