Stage 4prostate canceris the most advanced stage of the disease.
It means that cancer has spread beyond the prostate to distant areas of the body.
Learn more about this stae, what treatments are available, and the prognosis.
Brianna Gilmartin / Verywell
A biopsyof the prostate is usually done to help diagnose and stage the cancer.
Treatment
While stage 4 prostate cancer isnt usually curable, it is treatable.
A combination of several treatments is usually used over time for this stage of the disease.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy (or androgen deprivation therapy) is often the mainstayfor stage 4 disease.
Different options are available to reduce the amount of testosterone in your body.
Some medications stop the production of testosterone, and others work to prevent testosterone from stimulating prostate cancer cells.
Palliative Surgery
If the cancer has spread, there is no surgery that can cure the cancer.
Surgeries are often done to help with symptoms and quality of life for urinary symptoms.
One surgery to help symptoms may include atransurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).
Sometimes, anorchiectomy(removal of both testicles) can be done as an alternative to hormonal therapy.
Radiation may also be used for bone metastases to decrease pain.
Treatments can include hormone therapy, chemotherapy, targeted drugs, immunotherapy, and bisphosphonates.
Prognosis
The prognosis of stage 4 disease varies considerably depending on how far cancer has spread.
This can be done by breaking stage 4 down into two parts.
Keep in mind that treatments for advanced cancers are improving each year.
Every person is different, and clinical trials today may change those numbers tomorrow.
Coping
Learn about your cancer.
Be aware of some common prostate cancer emergenciesso you’re free to be prepared.
Stage 4 prostate cancer can sometimes cause significant pain.
Consider joining a support group or check into online stage 4 prostate cancer communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, prostate cancer is curable.
The four stages of prostate cancer are numbered one to four using roman numerals.
These include stage I, stage II, stage III, and stage IV.
Stages II, III, and IV also have substages that further classify the progression of the disease.
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