Advanced Prostate Cancer
Advanced prostate cancer has spread beyond the prostate or can no longer be controlled by local treatment alone, so care focuses on slowing disease and preserving function and comfort.
Key takeaways
- Androgen-deprivation therapy is a central treatment, often combined with another systemic therapy according to disease extent and fitness.
- Bone pain, urinary obstruction, anaemia and treatment effects need active supportive care, not tumour treatment alone.
- Choice and sequence of therapy depend on prior treatment, hormone sensitivity, imaging, tumour features and patient goals.
The listings below are not a treatment plan; prostate-cancer medicines require oncology or urology oversight and monitoring.
How systemic treatment works
Lowering testosterone or blocking androgen signalling can control prostate cancer for substantial periods. Depending on the setting, chemotherapy, targeted treatment, radiopharmaceuticals or other approaches may be added. PSA trends are useful but are interpreted alongside symptoms and imaging.
Complications to watch for
Cancer in bone may cause persistent pain or fractures. Spinal metastases can compress nerves, while pelvic disease may obstruct urine flow. Treatment can affect bone density, metabolism, cardiovascular health and sexual function, so monitoring and preventive care are part of the plan.
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent care for new leg weakness or numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, inability to pass urine, a suspected fracture, uncontrolled pain, confusion or fever during systemic treatment.