A Brief Look Into Stage 4 Prostate Cancer

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Understanding prostate cancer stage 4 can help to understand the symptoms, signs and available treatments for that diagnosis. Stage 4 prostate cancer, also written as Stage IV, cells have invaded beyond the prostate and the seminal vesicles and now are growing in the bladder, rectum or other near by structures. It may have also spread to the bones, lymph nodes and to other parts of the body. The TNM staging system is used in addition to the stage I, stage II, stage III and stage IV classification. TNM staging which further identifies the spread of the tumor. T stands for tumor and indicates that the tumor is within the prostate. N stands for nodes and describes whether the prostate cancer can be found in any lymph nodes and to what extent it has spread. M stands for metastasis and identifies the distant spread of cancer to other parts of the body for example the liver or the bones.

There are numbers associated with the TNM staging as well giving a further in depth understanding of the cancer diagnosis. Stage 4 prostate cancer usually ...
... has the symptoms of other stages as well as one unique to its advanced stage. Stage IV prostate cancer includes problems urinating as well as painful urination and ejaculation. There may also be a dull, persistent deep pain or stiffness in the pelvic area, the lower back, ribs or upper thigh areas. There may also be pain in the bones of those areas. There may be a noticeable amount of weight loss or a loss of appetite. Fatigue, nausea or vomiting may also be present. There may be a swelling of the lower extremities along with weakness or even paralysis of the lower limbs. Constipation can also be another symptom as well.

When prostate cancer stage 4 is diagnosed depending on the additional parts of the body involved with the staging the symptoms will be different and specific to that organ or body part. While there is currently no cure for stage iv prostate cancer, there are treatment options that are available to help control it. Most often the first treatment for metastic stage 4 prostate cancer patients is ADT or Androgen Deprivation Therapy. ADT helps to reduce the level of male hormones in the body. This can shrink tumors and slow down the growth of cancer cells. It can usually help for about 2 years at which time a secondary form of hormone therapy can be used to overcome the resistance to ADT. Drug and Radiation therapy are used when the prostate cancer has spread to the bones. The idea is to prolong life at this point. There are other alternative treatments available too.

The Prostate Cancer Research Institute is a charitable institution that is intended to improve the quality of men’s lives by supporting the research and disseminating information about prostate cancer prevention. It also helps to create awareness and empowers patients, families and the medical community.