Is Chemo Worth it for advanced prostate cancer?

While chemotherapy is unlikely to cure prostate cancer, it may provide some benefits to patients. For example, it may be used: To relieve symptoms associated with very advanced or metastatic disease, improving the patient's quality of life.

hopkinsmedicine.org - Chemotherapy for Prostate Cancer | Johns Hopkins Medicine

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Chemotherapy refers to any type of therapy that uses chemicals to kill or halt the growth of cancer cells. While chemotherapy is unlikely to cure prostate cancer, it may provide some benefits to patients. For example, it may be used: To relieve symptoms associated with very advanced or metastatic disease, improving the patient’s quality of life To improve the outcome of prostate cancer surgery if administered for a short time after the procedure

To work in conjunction with hormone therapy and improve the patient outcome

To prolong the life of a prostate cancer patient who no longer responds to hormone therapy To treat men with advanced prostate cancer who carry the AR-V7 gene variant

Chemotherapy Treatment Schedule

Most people have chemotherapy as outpatients at hospitals or clinics. Chemotherapy is given in cycles that last a few weeks. You will be given the medicines with rest periods in between to allow your body to recover. There are many different kinds of chemotherapy medicines. For prostate cancer, you will likely be given one medicine at a time. Some medicines are given by mouth as pills while others are given through an IV.

Types of Chemotherapy Drugs

The most common chemotherapy drug for prostate cancer is docetaxel (Taxotere), which is usually given with prednisone, a steroid medicine. After starting docetaxel, many men experience the improvements in disease-related symptoms, including pain, fatigue and loss of energy. If docetaxel does not work or stops working, cabazitaxel (Jevtana) may be used.

Side Effects of Chemotherapy

All chemotherapy drugs work in slightly different ways, making it challenging to predict side effects for individual patients. Dosages, drug combinations and drug responses will vary from patient to patient. The American Cancer Society lists the following as the most common side effects of chemotherapy:

Hair loss

Mouth sores

Loss of appetite

Nausea and vomiting

Diarrhea

Increased risk of infections (due to reduced white blood cells)

Easy bruising or bleeding (due to reduced blood platelets)

Fatigue (due to reduced red blood cells)

Guide to Managing Side Effects of Chemotherapy

Follow these simple rules to manage your side effects:

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What is the survival rate for Stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer?

Stage IV Prostate Cancer Prognosis Prostate cancers detected at the distant stage have an average five-year survival rate of 28 percent, which is much lower than local and regional cancers of the prostate.

hopkinsmedicine.org - Prostate Cancer Prognosis | Johns Hopkins Medicine

In general, the earlier prostate cancer is caught, the more likely it is for a man to get successful treatment and remain disease-free. The overall prognosis for prostate cancer is among the best of all cancers. It’s important to keep in mind that survival rates and likelihood of recurrence are based on averages and won’t necessarily reflect any individual patient outcome. The prognosis for prostate cancer depends on many factors. Your doctor will offer insight and advice based on your specific disease.

High Cure Rates for Local and Regional Prostate Cancers

Approximately 80 percent to 85 percent of all prostate cancers are detected in the local or regional stages, which represent stages I, II and III. Many men diagnosed and treated at the local or regional stages will be disease-free after five years.

Stage IV Prostate Cancer Prognosis

Prostate cancers detected at the distant stage have an average five-year survival rate of 28 percent, which is much lower than local and regional cancers of the prostate. This average survival rate represents stage IV prostate cancers that have metastasized (spread) beyond nearby areas to lymph nodes, organs or bones in other parts of the body.