Is Stage 4 prostate cancer painful?

Metastatic prostate cancer symptoms Some of the most frequently occurring stage 4 prostate cancer symptoms include: Bone pain, particularly in the pelvis, ribs, skull and spine (prostate cancer most commonly spreads to the bones) Unexplained weight loss. Fatigue.

cancercenter.com - Metastatic Stage 4 Prostate Cancer: Symptoms, Treatment, Prognosis

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This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Maurie Markman, MD, President, Medicine & Science at CTCA. Metastatic prostate cancer symptoms With metastatic prostate cancer, the patient may notice different symptoms than those generally associated with other stages of the disease. Some of the most frequently occurring stage 4 prostate cancer symptoms include: Bone pain, particularly in the pelvis, ribs, skull and spine (prostate cancer most commonly spreads to the bones)

Unexplained weight loss

Fatigue

General feeling of being unwell

Changes in urinary habits, such as needing to go more often

Cough, breathlessness or other changes involving the lungs and chest

Constipation Not everyone with metastatic prostate cancer will experience each of these symptoms, but patients should speak with their care teams if they notice any such changes. PSA levels in metastatic prostate cancer As part of patients' ongoing treatment, the care team will regularly test PSA levels. PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen, which can be high in men who have prostate cancer. PSA tests are used not only for the initial cancer diagnosis but also to observe the advancement of the disease over time. Generally, PSA levels are higher in men with metastatic prostate cancer. However, in rare cases, it’s possible to have a low PSA even if a patient has metastatic disease. For these patients, disease progression is better measured in other ways, such as through imaging tests and biomarker tools. Metastatic prostate cancer treatment If a patient has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and he or she is concerned about prostate cancer metastasis, they should talk with a doctor about the risk of prostate cancer metastasis and corresponding treatment options. Treatments for stage 4 prostate cancer may depend on where in the body the disease has spread. Options include: Surgery for metastatic prostate cancer Unlike with localized prostate cancer, surgery isn’t usually used to treat metastatic cancer. However, it may be used in some cases if it can help improve a patient’s quality of life, often to resolve urinary problems or stop bleeding. If prostate cancer is locally advanced and hasn’t spread far, a radical prostatectomy may still be an option. A radical prostatectomy is a surgical procedure in which the prostate is removed, along with any nearby tissue that contains prostate cancer cells. Radiation therapy for metastatic prostate cancer Radiation therapy may be used to treat men with high-risk prostate cancer or stage 4A cancer (in which the cancer has spread to lymph nodes near the prostate but not to other parts of the body). In these instances, external beam radiation therapy is commonly used, also known as EBRT. Using an external machine, a doctor sends targeted beams of radiation to the cancer site. It’s administered five days a week in an outpatient facility throughout several weeks. Radiation may be targeted to cancer that has spread to the bones as well, helping reduce pain. Hormone therapy for metastatic prostate cancer Metastatic prostate cancer patients may benefit from hormone therapy. Androgen suppression therapy, also known as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), uses medication to lower androgens (male hormones such as testosterone) created in the testicles, which can fuel cancer growth. Radiation therapy and hormone therapy may be given together. Chemotherapy for metastatic prostate cancer Chemotherapy may be used for patients with metastatic prostate cancer, with the aim of slowing any further spread of cancer and improving quality of life. The most commonly used chemotherapy medications, typically given via an intravenous (IV) line, are docetaxel combined with prednisone. However, there are several chemotherapy drugs available, so ask a doctor which types may be most appropriate as an effective prostate cancer treatment. In some cases, these treatments are considered palliative, intended to relieve difficult symptoms and improve quality of life. Prostate cancer treatment: The care you need is one call away Your multidisciplinary team will work with you to develop a personalized plan to treat your prostate cancer in a way that fits your individual needs and goals. DISCOVER THE CTCA DIFFERENCE

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cancercenter.com - Metastatic Stage 4 Prostate Cancer: Symptoms, Treatment, Prognosis

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