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What happens if you don't remove prostate?

If left untreated, diagnosed prostate cancer can 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.

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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 healthcare providers monitor their cancer. Known as active surveillance, it is common when the cancer is expected to grow slowly based on biopsy results, confined to the prostate, not causing any symptoms, and/or small. In active surveillance, healthcare providers will initiate cancer treatment only if cancer starts growing. Others men may choose to not undergo 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 healthcare provider and family.

What Happens Without Treatment

Healthcare providers 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 Prostate Cancer Spreads

If left untreated, diagnosed prostate cancer can 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. The cancer can spread down the blood vessels, lymphatic channels, or nerves that enter and exit the prostate, or 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. Further advancement of cancer can occur when cancer cells enter the blood vessels and lymphatic channels. Once 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 rarer.

A Word From Verywell

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 healthcare provider, and don't be afraid to get a second opinion.

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What activities raise PSA?

Semen released during sexual activity can cause PSA levels to rise temporarily, which may affect the test results. For the same reason, before having a PSA test men should not have: exercised vigorously in the previous 48 hours. an active urinary infection (PSA may remain raised for many months)

You should avoid sexual activity before a PSA test because it may affect the test results.

What are PSA tests?

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein made by a man's prostate gland (a small gland in the pelvis between the penis and bladder). PSA tests are used to measure the level of PSA in a man's blood. A raised level of PSA can be a sign of a prostate condition, such as:

enlarged prostate

infection or inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis)

prostate cancer

Before having a PSA test, men should not have ejaculated during the previous 48 hours. Semen released during sexual activity can cause PSA levels to rise temporarily, which may affect the test results. For the same reason, before having a PSA test men should not have:

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