Is it better not to treat prostate cancer?

Most cases of diagnosed prostate cancer, however, if left untreated, will grow and possibly spread outside of the prostate to local tissues or distantly to other sites in the body.

procure.ca - What happens if I decide not to treat my prostate cancer? - Procure

How do I know if I am infertile male?

How is male infertility diagnosed? Sperm count (semen analysis). At least 2 semen samples are taken on separate days. ... Blood tests. Your...

Last updated Oct 30, 2021

Does B12 lower blood pressure?

3. Foods high in vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause anemia which is one of the most common causes of low blood pressure. Adding more...

Last updated Oct 16, 2018

Promotion

Should I treat my prostate cancer or leave it alone? The disease is easiest to treat while it is confined to the prostate. At this stage, surgery and radiation are most likely to be curative and completely kill or remove whatever cancer cells are present. But let’s take a look at the natural history of prostate cancer if it is not treated… While most men undergo some form of treatment for their prostate cancer, some men today choose to not be treated for their prostate cancer. Instead, they may choose to have their doctors monitor their cancer, especially if it’s expected to grow slowly based on biopsy results, confined to the prostate, not causing any symptoms, and/or small. This is called active surveillance, meaning doctors will initiate cancer treatment only if the cancer starts growing. Others choose no cancer treatment because of a short life expectancy or other serious medical problems. They may feel that the risks or side effects of cancer treatment (like surgery and radiation) outweigh their potential benefits. This option is certainly OK and reasonable in the right circumstances — requiring a careful and thoughtful discussion with your doctor and family.

What happens if prostate cancer is ultimately left untreated?

Physicians will sometimes talk about a particular disease’s “natural history” or typical progression if it is left untreated indefinitely. With regard to prostate cancer, most cases of the disease are discovered while the cancer is still confined to the prostate itself. This is called “local disease” or “localized disease.” The disease is easiest to treat while it is confined to the prostate. At this stage, surgery and radiation are most likely to be curative and completely kill or remove whatever cancer cells are present. If left untreated, however, prostate cancer can proceed on a number of different paths.

Where does prostate cancer spread?

Most cases of diagnosed prostate cancer, however, if left untreated, will grow and possibly spread outside of the prostate to local tissues or distantly to other sites in the body. The first sites of spread are typically to the nearby tissues.

To nearby tissues or sites

What foods fill you up but low in calories?

Here are 13 low calorie foods that are surprisingly filling. Oats. Oats can be an excellent addition to your daily diet. ... Greek yogurt. Greek...

Last updated Apr 13, 2019

Does insurance cover robotic surgery?

Is Robotic Surgery covered by insurance? Any insurance that covers minimally invasive surgery generally covers Robotic Surgery. This is true for...

Last updated Jan 6, 2020

Promotion

The cancer can spread down the blood vessels, lymphatic channels, or nerves that enter and exit the prostate, or the cancer could erode directly through the capsule that surrounds the prostate. The seminal vesicles are a site of particularly common early spread. More extensive “local” spread can occur with cancer invading the nearby bladder or rectum.

To distant sites

Further advancement of the cancer can occur when cancer cells enter the blood vessels and lymphatic channels. Once the cancer has entered into these vessels, prostate cancer cells can “seed” into virtually any other part of the body. Prostate cancer is known to have a particular affinity for spreading or metastasizing to the bones, especially the lower spine, pelvis, and femur. Other organs such as the liver, brain, or lungs can also be the sites of spread, but these are much more rare. Once the cancer has spread distantly from the prostate, it becomes far harder to effectively treat and completely cure. Chemotherapy and hormone therapy become the most feasible options because they treat cancer throughout the body.

Did you know?

It’s important to know (and it’s fairly well known) that, sometimes, even when untreated, prostate cancer simply does not continue to grow or only grows at an extremely slow rate. In fact, some studies have shown that prostate cancer is present in the majority of older men at the time of their deaths even if they had not been diagnosed. This suggests that many older men have prostate cancer that is small and slow-growing, but the disease causes them few symptoms and does not lead to their death.

Bottom Line

Prostate cancer is a complicated disease and requires extremely careful thought when determining the best treatment option (for yourself or your loved one). There are a number of available therapies and not necessarily a single best fit — so seek the guidance of your doctor, and don’t be afraid to get a second opinion.