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Advanced Prostate Cancer
Overview
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. In the United States, an estimated 217,730 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010. Although 1 man out of 6 is likely to get prostate cancer during his lifetime, the death rate for prostate cancer is going down. In addition, prostate cancer is typically slow growing and may not cause problems for many years, even if it returns after treatment.
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that sits under the bladder and in front of the rectum. (Figure 1). It wraps around the tube (urethra) that carries urine from the bladder and semen through the penis. The prostate makes seminal fluid, which carries and protects sperm. Exactly what causes prostate cancer is unknown, but there are some major risk factors, including:
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Age. More than 65% of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men older than 65 years and the average age at the time of diagnosis is 69 years.
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Race. Prostate cancer is more common among black men than men of other races.
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Family history. A man who has a father or brother with prostate cancer is twice as likely to get it himself, and the risk increases if the cancer in his relatives was diagnosed before the age of 55 years.
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The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and digital rectal exam (DRE) are two screening measures commonly used to detect prostate cancer. Once prostate cancer spreads beyond the prostate gland itself, it is termed advanced prostate cancer. The PSA test is then used to monitor the progression of the disease and to assess the effectiveness of various treatments for advanced prostate cancer. Additional tests that can help to determine if cancer has spread are a biopsy, blood and urine tests, and imaging tests, such as x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computerized tomography (CT) scans.
Although there may be no symptoms with prostate cancer, especially in the early stages, symptoms may occur if the cancer has spread. Common symptoms of advanced prostate cancer may include:
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Urinary problems
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Difficulty having an erection
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Blood in the urine or semen
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Pain in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs
There are many treatment options for advanced prostate cancer. The stage of the cancer is an important factor when choosing a treatment. You and your doctor will also consider your age, general health, symptoms, biopsy results and the potential side effects of each type of treatment in order to find the type of treatment that is right for you. Treatment options include:
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Hormone therapy
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Chemotherapy
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Radiation
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Immunotherapy
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Surgery (transurethral resection of the prostate)
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Combinations of therapies
Each type of treatment comes with potential side effects, some of which may be hard to tolerate. However, many side effects go away when treatment is finished and there are ways to manage many of the side effects during treatment.
This Content
This content is primarily for men with advanced prostate cancer and for family and friends who wish to learn more about the disease and lend their support. In the following pages, you will learn about the stages of prostate cancer and how the cancer is graded in order for your doctor to evaluate how likely it is to spread quickly. You will find information about the methods for detecting advanced prostate cancer and the treatment options available. You will learn about many ways to manage side effects of advanced prostate cancer and its treatment and tips on how to improve your quality of life through good nutrition, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle. Learning about advanced prostate cancer can give you a sense of control and confidence when making the decisions you face. Each section of this content also lists information sources where you can find more details to help you better understand advanced prostate cancer.
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