Can prostate cancer be cured?

Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
Updated on November 18, 2024
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Early-stage prostate cancer patients can achieve a cure through radical surgery or radical radiotherapy and other treatment methods. Therefore, whether prostate cancer can be cured is related to the stage of the patient's condition. Early-stage prostate cancer patients can be cured through radical surgery or radical radiotherapy.

If the cancer is diagnosed at a late stage, with extensive pelvic metastasis or multiple bone metastases, treatment for these late-stage prostate cancer patients primarily revolves around endocrine therapy. Most patients respond well to endocrine treatment; however, for these late-stage prostate cancer patients, the treatment aims to alleviate symptoms and extend survival. Through these treatments, a cure is not achievable.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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How to treat bone metastasis in advanced prostate cancer?

For cases of advanced prostate cancer with bone metastasis, the following clinical treatment measures can be taken: Firstly, for the pain caused by bone metastatic lesions, symptomatic pain relief treatment should be administered with medication. The pain from bone metastatic lesions generally presents as moderate to severe, and medications usually involve weak or strong opioids for pain relief. For some patients with advanced bone metastases, pathological fractures may occur, necessitating treatments such as bone stabilization and bone cement. For some patients with advanced bone metastasis from prostate cancer, monthly injections of zoledronic acid can also be administered to treat the bone metastases. When prostate cancer has metastasized to the bone, it indicates that the disease is at an advanced stage, and the opportunity for curative surgery is lost. In most cases, treatments such as targeted therapy and endocrine therapy are adopted as conservative medical approaches.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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What indicators are checked for prostate cancer?

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) is a glycoprotein produced by the vesicles in the cytoplasm of normal or pre-cancerous epithelial cells of the prostate. It is the most specific and sensitive tumor marker for prostate cancer. Therefore, in patients with prostate cancer, we generally conduct blood tests for PSA, especially in screening for prostate cancer, assessing the effectiveness of treatments, and for the prognosis of prostate patients, among other aspects. Additionally, other examinations are combined, such as digital rectal exams, which can also serve as a screening method for prostate cancer. Moreover, CT or MRI scans of the prostate and pelvis, as well as ultrasound examinations of the prostate, can be used in conjunction with the tumor marker PSA for a comprehensive evaluation.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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Is prostate cancer radiotherapy painful?

Prostate cancer radiotherapy involves high doses of radiation, which typically results in related side effects. However, the severity of these side effects varies from patient to patient depending on individual factors such as their physical constitution. Therefore, clinically, some patients may experience severe symptoms, while others may have milder symptoms, indicating significant individual differences. Common side effects of radiotherapy include radiation cystitis, characterized by frequent urination, urgency, and possibly hematuria. Radiation proctitis is also common, presenting symptoms such as a sensation of heaviness around the anus and diarrhea. Additionally, bone marrow suppression, manifesting as a decrease in white blood cells and platelets, is another side effect.

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Written by Zhou Zi Hua
Oncology
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How long can one live after prostate cancer has spread to the bones?

Bone metastasis is the most common site of metastasis for prostate cancer. If a patient with prostate cancer develops bone metastasis, it means that the cancer is no longer in its early stages and has progressed to a more advanced stage. However, unlike other cancers with a higher degree of malignancy, if the tumor is highly sensitive to hormone therapy, with standardized treatment, the patient's survival time can be significantly extended.

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Written by Zhou Zi Hua
Oncology
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What causes prostate cancer?

The current causes of prostate cancer are not completely understood, but a large amount of research indicates that genetic and environmental factors play a significant role. Dietary factors, such as the intake of a large amount of unsaturated fatty acids, vasectomy, smoking, obesity, and alcohol consumption, also increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. Overall, the occurrence and development of prostate cancer are related to various factors, including both internal causes in the patient and the influence of external factors.