Advanced prostate cancer is a condition when the cancerous cells have spread outside the prostate gland to the lymph nodes and bones. In some cases, these cells might spread to other parts of the body. As the cells have spread to the lymph nodes, bones and other parts of the body, a patient suffering from advanced prostate cancer complains of constant pain. Though there are options of treatment for advanced prostate cancer, the condition turns out to be fatal in some cases. The options of treatment for prostate cancer aim at reducing the spreading of cancerous cells and relieving the patient from the pain.

Radiation Therapy for Advanced Prostate Cancer Treatment

Radiation therapy is mostly given in combination with hormone therapy for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. In this method, high energy radiations or radioactive substances are used to kill the cancerous cells spread inside the patient’s body.

Hormone Therapy for Advanced Prostate Cancer Treatment

Androgens and testosterone are mainly responsible for the growth of cancer cells inside the prostate gland. In this method, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone or antiandrogens are prescribed to the patients. These chemotherapy drugs for prostate cancer either block the production of androgens or stop the functioning of the testicles to produce testosterone. By blocking the production of these hormones, the further growth of cancerous cells can be slowed down. In some cases, a shrink in the size of the cancerous cells is also observed.

Surgery for Advanced Prostate Cancer Treatment

If surgery is performed in the advanced stage of prostate cancer, then it is meant to relieve the symptoms like bleeding and urinary obstruction. In case of surgery, the prostate gland is removed completely, sometimes with the removal of pelvic lymph nodes, as well. In cases where the cancer has reoccurred and has not spread beyond the prostate gland, Cryosurgery is performed. In this the gland is forzen by inserting a metal rod to kill the cancerous cells. Orchiectomy is performed when hormone therapy is given in combination with surgery. This involves removal of the testicles to stop the production of testosterone in the male body. If the cancer has not spread to a much extent, then palliative measures, where only a part of the gland is removed to relieve the blockage of the prostate cancer, is sometimes opted for by the doctor. This is called as TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) and is performed to relieve the patient from the pain caused from prostate cancer.

Chemotherapy for Advanced Prostate Cancer Treatment

If the patient’s body does not respond to hormone therapy, then chemotherapy is given to the patient. In this method, different drugs are used to kill the cancerous cells spread inside the patient’s body. Taxotere is the commonly prescribed drug to such patients. This is generally given in the form of an injection and in combination with prednisone, a steroid. Other chemotherapy combinations include carboplatin, etoposide, vinblastine, vinorelbine, doxorubicin, paclitaxel, mitoxantrone and / or estramustine.

Pain Therapy for Advanced Prostrate Cancer Treatment

This is given when prostate cancer spreads to the bones and it aims at relieving the patient from bone pain. External radiations, radiopharmaceuticals, steroids, bisphosphonates and other medications are commonly given to the patient to relieve the pain.

Prostate Cancer in its advanced stage is fatal, but if proper method of treatment for cancer is followed, the patient can enjoy a prolonged life.

Please note: The medications given above should be taken only under the supervision of a doctor.