A diagnosis of locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer can be tough to hear.
Advanced prostate cancer is harder to treat than early prostate cancer (cancer that has not spread beyond the prostate). Metastatic prostate cancer (cancer that has spread to lymph nodes and distant organs) and most cases of locally advanced prostate cancer (cancer that has spread to tissues just outside the prostate) cannot be cured. Instead, treatment aims to prolong survival, delay the cancer's progression, relieve symptoms, and improve quality of life.
The good news is that there are treatment options still available, including medication, radiation, and surgery. The treatment chosen depends on many factors:
- previous treatments you have received
- where the cancer has recurred
- whether you have other conditions such as heart disease or diabetes
- individual considerations
Available treatment options include hormone therapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery.
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy is used to treat metastatic prostate cancer and some cases of locally advanced prostate cancer. It is used to prolong life, relieve symptoms, delay cancer progression, and improve quality of life. With hormone therapy, medications or surgery are used to reduce the levels of androgens (male hormones such as testosterone), so they cannot cause the tumour to grow. This may be done through surgery to remove the testicles (which produce androgens) or by using medications.
Hormone therapy medications include:
- luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogues (which work by blocking androgen production):
- buserelin (Suprefact®)
- goserelin (Zoladex®, Zoladex-LA®)
- leuprolide (Eligard®, Lupron®, Lupron Depot®)
- triptorelin (Trelstar®)
- luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone antagonists (work similar to LHRH analogues)
- degarelix (Firmagon®)
- nonsteroidal anti-androgens (which work by blocking the effects of androgens on the prostate; they are used in combination with LHRH analogues or surgery):
- abiraterone acetate (Zytiga®)
- bicalutamide (Casodex®, generics)
- cyproterone (Androcur®, Androcur Depot®)
- enzalutamide (Xtandi®)
- flutamide (Euflex®, generics)
- nilutamide (Anandron®)
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses radiation (a type of energy) to kill cancer cells. For locally advanced prostate cancer, radiation is often used in combination with hormone therapy to slow the spread of the cancer, prolong life, and relieve symptoms. For metastatic prostate cancer, it is used to relieve symptoms and control the spread of the cancer.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses medications (usually in combinations called "regimens") to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy is used when advanced prostate cancer stops responding to hormone therapy or when prostate cancer doesn’t respond to hormone therapy. Chemotherapy may be used to prolong life, improve quality of life, and relieve side effects caused by the cancer's spread.
Chemotherapy medications often used in combination with prednisone to treat advanced prostate cancer include:
- cabazitaxel (Jevtana®)
- docetaxel (Taxotere®)
- mitoxantrone (generics)
Chemotherapy medications are usually continued until the cancer progresses or until a maximum dose (determined by the doctor based on your body size) has been reached.
Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy uses medications that specifically target certain molecules inside or on cancer cells. Unlike chemotherapy, this type of treatment can reduce the amount of harm and side effects that you may experience, as it doesn’t affect the cells that are functioning normally. Targeted therapy may be used when prostate cancer stops responding to hormone therapy or if the cancer has certain types of genetic mutations.
Targeted therapy medications include:
- olaparib (Lynparza®)
Surgery
For locally advanced prostate cancer, a transurethral resection of the prostate (also called TURP, a surgery where excess prostate tissue is removed) can help relieve symptoms. In some cases, a radical prostatectomy (a surgery that removes the entire prostate) can even provide a cure.
For metastatic prostate cancer, surgery is used to relieve symptoms of the cancer's spread (e.g., a tumour that is blocking urination) and make a person more comfortable.
Working with your doctor
There are a variety of options for treating advanced prostate cancer. To find the option that's right for you, discuss your treatment options with your doctor. Though all treatments have side effects, it's important to realize that side effects may be preventable, manageable, or reversible. Speak with your doctor about the risks and benefits of each treatment and how you will feel as you receive treatment.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Managing-Advanced-Prostate-Cancer
