Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men (after skin cancer), but it can often be treated successfully. If you have prostate cancer or are close to someone who does, knowing what to expect can help you cope. Here you can find out all about prostate cancer, including risk factors, symptoms, how it is found, and how it is treated.

Overview

If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer or are worried about it, you likely have a lot of questions. Learning some basics is a good place to start. The prostate is below the bladder (the hollow organ where urine is stored) and in front of the rectum (the last part of the intestines). Just behind the prostate are glands called seminal vesicles, which make most of the fluid for semen. The urethra, which is the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body through the penis, goes through the center of the prostate. The prostate tends to grow as a man ages. It is about the size of a walnut in younger men, but it can be much larger in older men.

Types of prostate cancer

Almost all prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas. These cancers develop from the gland cells in the prostate (the cells that make the prostate fluid that is added to the semen).

Other types of cancer that can start in the prostate include:

• Small cell carcinoma (small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma)
• Other neuroendocrine tumors (including large cell carcinoma)
• Transitional cell carcinoma
• Sarcomas

These other types of cancer are rare. If you are told you have prostate cancer, it is very likely to be an adenocarcinoma.  Some prostate cancers can grow and spread quickly, but most tend to grow slowly.

Possible pre-cancerous conditions of the prostate

Some research suggests that prostate cancer might start as a pre-cancerous condition in some cases. These conditions are sometimes found when a man has a prostate biopsy (removal of small pieces of the prostate to look for cancer).

Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN)

In PIN, the prostate cells don’t look normal with a microscope, but the abnormal cells don’t look like they are invading into other parts of the prostate (like cancer cells would). PIN is not cancer, but it can sometimes lead to a higher risk of prostate cancer.

Based on how the patterns of cells look, PIN is classified as either:

• Low-grade PIN if the patterns of prostate cells appear almost normal, or
• High-grade PIN if the patterns of cells look more abnormal

Low-grade PIN is not thought to be related to a man’s risk of prostate cancer.

If you have a high-grade PIN, you may have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer over time. However, most often, high-grade PIN does not turn into cancer.

Proliferative inflammatory atrophy (PIA)

In PIA, the prostate cells look smaller than normal, and there are signs of inflammation in the area. PIA is not cancer, and it’s not yet clear if PIA might lead to high-grade PIN or prostate cancer.

What’s New in Prostate Cancer Research?

Research into the causes, prevention, detection, testing, and treatment of prostate cancer is being done in many medical centers throughout the world.

Genetics

New research on gene changes in prostate cancer cells is helping scientists better understand how prostate cancer develops. This could also help design medicines to target these changes. Learning more about these gene changes might be helpful in other ways as well, such as:

• Identifying which men are most likely to develop (or to already have) prostate cancer
• Determining which men might need a second prostate biopsy, even if an initial biopsy doesn’t find cancer
• Determining which prostate cancers are most likely to grow and spread (and therefore should be treated)
• Determining if specific treatments, such as newer targeted therapy drugs, might be helpful
• Identifying which men might benefit from genetic testing to see if they inherited a gene change (and therefore might have a higher risk for other cancers as well)

Some of these uses are discussed in more detail below.

Prevention

Researchers continue to look for foods (or substances in them) that can help lower prostate cancer risk. Scientists have found some substances in tomatoes (lycopenes) and soybeans (isoflavones) that might help prevent some prostate cancers. Studies are now looking more closely at the possible effects of these compounds.

Scientists are also trying to develop related compounds that are even more potent and might be used as dietary supplements. But so far, most research suggests that a balanced diet including plenty of fruits and vegetables is probably of greater benefit than taking specific substances as dietary supplements.

Some research has suggested that men who regularly take certain medicines (such as aspirin or cholesterol-lowering statins) for a long time might have a lower risk of getting or dying from prostate cancer. More research is needed to confirm this and to confirm that any benefit outweighs the potential risks. Scientists have also tested certain hormonal medicines called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors as a way of reducing prostate cancer risk.

Early detection

The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test is not a perfect test for finding prostate cancer early. It misses some cancers, and sometimes it finds cancers that would probably never need to be treated. Researchers are working on strategies to address these issues.

One approach is to try to improve the test that measures the total PSA level.

Another approach is to develop new tests based on other forms of PSA or other types of biomarkers. Several newer tests seem to be more accurate than the PSA test, including:

• The Prostate Health Index (PHI), which combines the results of total PSA, free PSA, and proPSA to help determine how likely it is that a man has prostate cancer that might need treatment
• The 4Kscore test, which combines the results of total PSA, free PSA, intact PSA, and human kallikrein 2 (hK2), along with some other factors, to help determine how likely a man is to have prostate cancer that might need treatment
• Tests (such as Progensa) that look at the level of prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) in the urine after a digital rectal exam (DRE). The DRE pushes some of the prostate cells into the urine. The higher the level, the more likely that prostate cancer is present.
• Tests that look for an abnormal gene change called TMPRSS2:ERG in prostate cells in urine collected after a DRE. This gene change is found in some prostate cancers, but it is rarely found in the cells of men without prostate cancer.
• ExoDx Prostate(IntelliScore), or EPI, a test that looks at levels of 3 biomarkers in a urine sample to help determine a man’s risk of having aggressive (high-grade) prostate cancer
• SelectMDx, which looks at the levels of certain forms of RNA (linked to certain cancer-related genes) in the urine. This test can be used along with other factors to help determine a man’s risk of having aggressive (high-grade) prostate cancer.
• My Prostate Score 2.0 (MPS2), which checks the urine after a DRE for changes in 18 genes, including PCA3 and TMPRSS2:ERG , to help determine a man’s risk of having Grade Group 2 or higher prostate cancer  
• Sentinel PCa Test, which looks for certain pieces of RNA in the urine to help determine a man’s risk of prostate cancer
• IsoPSA, which looks at different forms of PSA in the blood to help determine a man’s risk of having high-grade prostate cancer
• ConfirmMDx, which is a test that looks at certain genes in the cells from a prostate biopsy sample

These tests aren’t likely to replace the PSA test any time soon, but they might be helpful in certain situations. For example:

• Some of these tests might be useful in men with a slightly elevated PSA, to help determine whether they should have a prostate biopsy.
• Some of these tests might help determine if men who have already had a prostate biopsy that didn’t find cancer should have another biopsy.

Doctors and researchers are trying to determine the best way to use each of these tests.

Diagnosis

Doctors doing prostate biopsies often rely on transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), which creates black-and-white images of the prostate using sound waves, to know where to take samples from. But standard ultrasound may miss some areas containing cancer. Some newer techniques might help make TRUS more effective in finding prostate cancer.

• Color Doppler ultrasound: This technique measures blood flow within the prostate gland. (Tumors often have more blood vessels around them than normal tissue.) It may make prostate biopsies more accurate by helping to ensure the right part of the gland is sampled.
• Contrast-enhanced Doppler ultrasound: Doppler ultrasound might be enhanced even further by first injecting a person with a contrast agent that can help improve the images. Researchers are continuing to look for better contrast agents.
• Transrectal elastosonography (TRES): In this technique, ultrasound is used to help determine how stiff different parts of the prostate are. Because tumors tend to be stiffer than normal prostate tissue, this can help guide which parts of the prostate should be biopsied.  
• Micro-ultrasound: This newer technique uses higher-frequency ultrasonic waves, which can help create more detailed images of the prostate.

Another approach combines MRI and TRUS images to help guide prostate biopsies, especially in men who previously had negative TRUS-guided biopsies, but the doctor still suspects have cancer.

Staging

Determining the stage (extent) of prostate cancer plays a key role in determining a man’s treatment options. But imaging tests for prostate cancer, such as CT and MRI scans, might not detect all areas of cancer, especially small areas of cancer in lymph nodes, so doctors are now looking at newer types of imaging tests.

Multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) can be used to help determine the extent of the cancer and how aggressive it might be, which might affect a man’s treatment options. For this test, a standard MRI is done to look at the anatomy of the prostate, and then at least one other type of MRI (such as diffusion-weighted imaging [DWI], dynamic contrast-enhanced [DCE] MRI, or MR spectroscopy) is done to look at other parameters of the prostate tissue. The results of the different scans are then compared to help find abnormal areas.

Enhanced MRI may help find lymph nodes that contain cancer cells. Patients first have a standard MRI. They are then injected with tiny magnetic particles and have another scan the next day. Differences between the 2 scans point to possible cancer cells in the lymph nodes. Early results of this technique are promising, but it needs more research before it becomes widely used.

Newer types of PET scans can also help detect prostate cancer in different parts of the body. These newer tests use tracers, such as radioactive sodium fluoride, fluciclovine, choline, or carbon acetate. Some newer tests (known as PSMA PET scans) use radioactive tracers that attach to prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a substance that is often found in large amounts on prostate cancer cells. Some of these newer tests are now being used in many centers, while others are still being studied.

Treatment

Newer tests and treatments are being developed, and improvements are being made to current prostate cancer treatment methods.

Determining if treatment is needed

An important area of research is determining which men with early-stage prostate cancer need to be treated right away, and which men might choose monitoring (active surveillance or observation) as a reasonable option.

Some newer molecular tests (also known as genomic tests) look for certain gene or protein changes in prostate cancer cells to help determine how quickly the cancer is likely to grow and spread. The results of one of these tests can be used to help determine if the cancer needs to be treated. Doctors are constantly improving the surgical techniques used to treat prostate cancer. The goal is to remove all of the cancer while lowering the risk of complications and side effects from the surgery.

Surgery to treat prostate cancer is most often done using robot-assisted prostatectomy. In this approach, several small cuts are made in the abdomen to insert long surgical tools, which the surgeon maneuvers while sitting at a control panel. Benefits of this approach include quicker recovery times and less pain after surgery.

In a newer approach, known as single-incision robotic prostatectomy, the operation is done through only one small cut near a man’s belly button. The hope is that using only one incision might cut down on pain and recovery times even further, although this still needs to be proven in studies.

Radiation therapy

Advances in technology are making it possible to aim radiation more precisely than in the past.

Current treatment methods, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and proton beam radiation, help doctors avoid giving radiation to normal tissues as much as possible.

In many centers, doctors are now using image-guided approaches to help aim radiation more precisely as well. Because the prostate might be in a slightly different position in the body each day, getting an imaging test (such as MRI) before each treatment (or even during treatment) can help ensure the radiation is aimed exactly where the doctor wants it to go.

These newer methods may increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy while reducing the side effects.

Technology is making other forms of radiation therapy more effective as well. New computer programs allow doctors to better plan the radiation doses and approaches for both external radiation therapy and brachytherapy. Planning for brachytherapy can now even be done during the procedure (intraoperatively).

Newer treatments for early-stage cancers

Researchers are looking at newer forms of treatment for early-stage prostate cancer. These new treatments might be used either as the first treatment or if cancer remains after radiation therapy.

For example, doctors are now looking at whether ablative treatments can be helpful for these cancers. These treatments use extreme heat, cold, or other methods to destroy (ablate) tumors. Examples include cryotherapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), photodynamic therapy (PDT), focal laser ablation (FLA), and irreversible electroporation (IRE).

The safety and effectiveness of these treatments are now being studied. While some of these are now available, most doctors in the United States don’t consider them to be proven first-line treatments for prostate cancer at this time.

Nutrition and lifestyle changes

Many studies have looked at the possible benefits of specific nutrients (often as supplements) in helping to treat prostate cancer, although so far none have shown a clear benefit. Some compounds being studied include extracts from pomegranate, green tea, broccoli, turmeric, flaxseed, and soy.

It's important for men thinking about taking any type of nutritional supplement to talk to their healthcare team first. They can help you decide which ones you can use safely while avoiding those that might be harmful.

Hormone therapy

Several newer forms of hormone therapy have been developed in recent years. Some of these may be helpful when standard forms of hormone therapy are no longer working.

Some examples include abiraterone (Zytiga), enzalutamide (Xtandi), apalutamide (Erleada), and darolutamide (Nubeqa), which are described in Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer. Others are now being studied as well.

Chemotherapy

Studies in recent years have shown that many chemotherapy drugs can affect prostate cancer. Some, such as docetaxel (Taxotere) and cabazitaxel (Jevtana), have been shown to help men live longer.Other new chemo drugs and combinations of drugs are being studied as well.

Vaccines

Unlike vaccines against infections like measles or mumps, prostate cancer vaccines are designed to help treat, not prevent, prostate cancer. One possible advantage of these types of treatments is that they seem to have very limited side effects. An example of this type of vaccine is sipuleucel-T (Provenge).

Several other types of vaccines to treat prostate cancer are being tested in clinical trials.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors

An important part of the immune system is its ability to keep itself from attacking other normal cells in the body. To do this, it uses “checkpoint” proteins on immune cells that need to be turned on (or off) to start an immune response. Cancer cells sometimes use these checkpoints to avoid being attacked by the immune system.

Newer drugs that target these checkpoints (known as checkpoint inhibitors) have been shown to be useful in treating many types of cancer, including prostate cancers in which the cells have certain types of gene changes. 

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy

In this treatment, immune cells called T cells are removed from the patient’s blood and altered in the lab so they have chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) on their surface. These receptors can be made to attach to proteins on the surface of prostate cells. The altered T cells are then multiplied in the lab and put back into the patient’s blood. The hope is that they can then find the prostate cancer cells in the body and launch a precise immune attack against them.

This technique has shown some encouraging results against prostate cancer in early clinical trials, but more research is needed to see how useful it can be. CAR T-cell therapy is a complex treatment with potentially serious side effects, and it is only available in clinical trials at this time.

Targeted therapy drugs

Newer drugs are being developed that target specific parts of cancer cells or their surrounding environments. Each type of targeted therapy works differently, but they all alter the way a cancer cell grows, divides, repairs itself, or interacts with other cells.

PARP inhibitors

In some men with prostate cancer, the cancer cells have mutations in DNA repair genes (such as BRCA2) that make it hard for cancer cells to fix damaged DNA. Drugs called PARP inhibitors work by blocking a different DNA repair pathway. Cancer cells are more likely to be affected by these drugs than normal cells.

PARP inhibitors, such as olaparib, rucaparib, niraparib, and talazoparib, can now be used along with hormone therapy to treat advanced prostate cancers if the cells have changes in a DNA repair gene.

Monoclonal antibodies

These are manmade versions of immune proteins that can be designed to attach to very specific targets on cancer cells (such as the PSMA protein on prostate cancer cells).

For prostate cancer, most of the monoclonal antibodies being studied are linked to chemotherapy or to small radioactive molecules. The hope is that once injected into the body, the antibody will act like a homing device, bringing the drug or radioactive molecule directly to the cancer cells, which might help them work better. Several monoclonal antibodies are now being studied in clinical trials.

Treating prostate cancer that has spread to the bones

Doctors are studying the use of several newer approaches to treating prostate cancer that has spread to one or more areas in the bones, especially if radiation therapy isn’t working.

Several of these are ablative treatments, in which extreme heat or cold is used on bone tumors to help ablate (destroy) them. Examples include:

• High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
• Cryoablation (cryotherapy)

 

Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer

 

How common is prostate cancer?

The American Cancer Society’s estimates for prostate cancer in the United States for 2025 are:

• About 313,780 new cases of prostate cancer
• About 35,770 deaths from prostate cancer

The number of prostate cancers diagnosed each year declined sharply from 2007 to 2014, coinciding with fewer men being screened because of changes in screening recommendations. Since 2014, however, the incidence rate has increased by 3% per year.

Risk of getting prostate cancer

About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. But each man’s risk of prostate cancer can vary based on his age, race/ethnicity, and other factors.

For example, prostate cancer is more likely to develop in older men. About 6 in 10 prostate cancers are diagnosed in men who are 65 or older, and it is rare in men under 40. The average age of men when they are first diagnosed is about 67.

Prostate cancer risk is also higher in African-American men and Caribbean men of African ancestry than in men of other races.

Deaths from prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer. About 1 in 44 men will die of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer can be a serious disease, but most men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die from it. More than 3.3 million men in the United States who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point are still alive today.

The prostate cancer death rate declined by about half from 1993 to 2022, most likely due to earlier detection and advances in treatment. In recent years, the decline in the death rate has slowed, likely reflecting the rise in cancers being found at an advanced stage.

What Causes Prostate Cancer?

Researchers have found some risk factors for prostate cancer, although it’s not yet clear exactly how these factors might increase prostate cancer risk. On a basic level, prostate cancer is caused by changes in the DNA of a normal prostate cell.

Gene changes that might lead to prostate cancer

DNA is the chemical in our cells that makes up our genes, which control how our cells function. We usually look like our parents because they are the source of our DNA. But our genes affect more than just how we look.

Some genes normally help control when our cells grow, divide to make new cells, or repair mistakes in DNA, or they cause cells to die when they’re supposed to. If these genes aren’t working properly, it can lead to cells growing out of control. For example:

• Changes in genes that normally help cells grow, divide, or stay alive can lead to these genes being more active than they should be, causing them to become oncogenes.
• Genes that normally help keep cell division under control or cause cells to die at the right time are known as tumor suppressor genes.
• Some genes normally help repair mistakes in a cell’s DNA. Changes that turn off these DNA repair genes can result in the buildup of DNA changes within a cell, which might lead to them growing out of control.

Any of these types of DNA changes might lead to cells growing out of control and forming a tumor. DNA changes can either be inherited from a parent or they can be acquired during a person’s lifetime.

Inherited gene mutations

Some gene mutations can be passed on in families and are found in all of a person’s cells. Such inherited gene changes are thought to be a major factor in up to 10% of prostate cancers. Cancer caused by inherited genes is called hereditary cancer.

Inherited mutations in several genes have been linked to hereditary prostate cancer, including:

• BRCA1 and BRCA2: These genes normally help repair mistakes in a cell’s DNA (or cause the cell to die if the mistake can’t be fixed). Inherited mutations in either of these genes greatly increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer in women. They are also linked to some other cancers. For example, changes in these genes (especially BRCA2) are linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer.
• CHEK2, ATM, PALB2, and RAD51: Mutations in these other DNA repair genes might also be responsible for some hereditary prostate cancers.
• DNA mismatch repair genes (such as MSH2, MSH6, MLH1, and PMS2): These genes normally help fix mistakes (mismatches) in DNA that can happen when a cell is preparing to divide into 2 new cells. (Cells must make a new copy of their DNA each time they divide.) Men with inherited mutations in one of these genes have a condition known as Lynch syndrome (also known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, or HNPCC), and are at increased risk of colorectal, prostate, and some other cancers.
• RNASEL (formerly HPC1): The normal function of this tumor suppressor gene is to help cells die when something goes wrong inside them. Inherited mutations in this gene might let abnormal cells live longer than they should, which can lead to an increased risk of prostate cancer.
• HOXB13: This gene is important in the development of the prostate gland. Mutations in this gene have been linked to early-onset prostate cancer (prostate cancer diagnosed at a young age) that runs in some families. This mutation is rare.

Other inherited gene mutations may account for some hereditary prostate cancers, and research is being done to find these genes.If you have prostate cancer, testing the cancer cells for these types of gene changes might be important for a couple of reasons:

• The results of testing might affect your treatment options. Some medicines used to treat prostate cancer (such as certain targeted drugs) are only likely to be helpful if your cancer cells have one of these gene changes.
• If testing finds a gene change, your doctor might suggest genetic counseling and testing. If the tumor cells have a gene mutation, testing some of your other cells (such as from a blood sample) for the same mutation can show if you inherited it (and therefore if it’s in all of your cells). This might help you learn more about your risk of other cancers, and possibly the risks among other members of your family.

Acquired gene mutations

Some genes can change during a person’s lifetime. This type of mutation is not passed on to children, and it’s found only in cells that come from the original mutated cell. These are called acquired mutations. Most gene mutations linked to prostate cancer develop during a man’s life, rather than having been inherited.

Every time a cell prepares to divide into 2 cells, it needs to make a copy of its DNA for the new cell. This process isn’t perfect, and sometimes errors occur, leaving defective DNA in the new cell. It’s not clear how often these DNA changes might be random events, and how often they are influenced by other factors (such as diet, hormone levels, etc.).

In general, the more quickly prostate cells grow and divide, the more chances there are for mutations to occur. Therefore, anything that speeds up this process might make prostate cancer more likely. For example, androgens (male hormones), such as testosterone, can promote prostate cell growth. Having higher levels of androgens might contribute to prostate cancer risk in some men, although studies so far have not found a consistent link.

Some research has found that men with high levels of another hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), might be more likely to get prostate cancer. However, other studies have not found such a link. Further research is needed to make sense of these findings.

As mentioned in Prostate Cancer Risk Factors, some studies have found that inflammation in the prostate might be linked to prostate cancer. One theory is that inflammation might lead to cell DNA damage, which could contribute to a normal cell becoming a cancer cell. More research is needed in this area.

Exposure to radiation or cancer-causing chemicals can cause DNA mutations in many organs, but so far, these factors aren’t important causes of mutations in prostate cells.

 

Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Most prostate cancers are found early, through screening, before it has a chance to cause noticeable problems. But not everyone chooses to get prostate cancer screening. And screening may not catch all cancers. Whether you are being screened regularly or not, it's important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer and to check with your health care provider if you notice any of them.

Signs and symptoms of early prostate cancer

Early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. While not common, symptoms of early prostate cancer might include:

• Problems urinating, including a slow or weak urinary stream or the need to urinate more often, especially at night
• Blood in the urine or semen

Signs and symptoms of advanced prostate cancer

Advanced prostate cancer means it has grown larger and has possibly spread to other areas. When prostate cancer is advanced, it can cause problems with urination and blood in the urine or semen, as well as other symptoms, including:

• Trouble getting an erection (erectile dysfunction or ED)
• Pain in the hips, back (spine), chest (ribs), or other areas, from cancer that has spread to the bones
• Weakness or numbness in the legs or feet, or even loss of bladder or bowel control, from cancer in the spine pressing on the spinal cord
• Weight loss
• Feeling very tired

If you have symptoms of prostate cancer

Most of these symptoms are more likely to be caused by something other than prostate cancer. For example, trouble urinating is much more often caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous growth of the prostate.

Still, it’s important to tell your health care provider if you have any of these symptoms so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed. Some people might need more tests to check for prostate cancer.

Treating Prostate Cancer

If you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer, your cancer care team will discuss your treatment options with you. It's important to think about the benefits of each treatment option compared to the possible risks and side effects.

Who treats prostate cancer?

The main types of doctors who treat prostate cancer include:

• Urologist: A surgeon who treats diseases of the urinary system and male reproductive system (including the prostate)
• Radiation oncologist: A doctor who treats cancer with radiation therapy
• Medical oncologist: A doctor who treats cancer with medicines, such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy

Many other specialists may be involved in your care as well, including nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), nurses, nutritionists, pharmacists, social workers, rehabilitation specialists, and other health professionals.

Making treatment decisions

It’s important to discuss all your treatment options, including their goals and possible side effects, with your doctors to help make the decision that best fits your needs. Some important things to consider include:

• The stage and grade of your cancer
• Your age and expected lifespan
• Any other serious health conditions you have
• Your feelings (and your doctor’s opinion) about the need to treat the cancer right away
• The likelihood that treatment will cure your cancer (or help in some other way)
• Your feelings about the possible side effects of each treatment

You may feel that you must make a decision quickly, but it’s important to give yourself time to absorb the information you have just learned. Ask questions if there is anything you’re not sure about. If time permits, it’s often a good idea to seek a second opinion. A second opinion can give you more information and help you feel more confident about the treatment plan you choose.

 

How is prostate cancer treated?

Depending on each person's situation, treatment options for prostate cancer might include:

Observation or Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer,  Surgery for Prostate Cancer, Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer, Cryotherapy, HIFU, Other Ablative Treatments for Prostate Cancer, Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer, Chemotherapy for Prostate Cancer, Immunotherapy for Prostate Cancer, Targeted Drug Therapy for Prostate Cancer, Treatments for Prostate Cancer Spread to Bones.

Thinking about taking part in a clinical trial

Clinical trials are carefully controlled research studies that are done to get a closer look at promising new treatments or procedures. Clinical trials are one way to get the best possible cancer treatment. In some cases, they may be the only way to get access to newer treatments. They are also the best way for doctors to learn better methods to treat cancer. If you would like to learn more about clinical trials that might be right for you, start by asking your doctor if your clinic or hospital conducts clinical trials.

 

Considering complementary, integrative, and alternative methods

You may hear about alternative or complementary methods to relieve symptoms or treat your cancer that your doctors haven’t mentioned. These methods can include vitamins, herbs, and special diets, or other methods such as acupuncture or massage, to name a few.

Complementary methods are treatments that are used along with your regular medical care. Alternative treatments are used instead of standard medical treatment. Although some of these methods might be helpful in relieving symptoms or helping you feel better, many have not been proven to work. Some might even be harmful. For example, some supplements might interfere with chemotherapy.

Be sure to talk to your cancer care team about any method you are thinking about using. They can help you learn what is known (or not known) about the method, which can help you make an informed decision. 

Help getting through cancer treatment

People with cancer need support and information, no matter what stage of illness they may be in. Knowing all of your options and finding the resources you need will help you make informed decisions about your care.

Whether you are thinking about treatment, getting treatment, or not being treated at all, you can still get supportive care to help with pain or other symptoms. Communicating with your cancer care team is important so you understand your diagnosis, what treatment is recommended, and ways to maintain or improve your quality of life. 

Different types of programs and support services may be helpful, and they can be an important part of your care. These might include nursing or social work services, financial aid, nutritional advice, rehab, or spiritual help.

Choosing to stop treatment or choosing no treatment at all

For some people, when treatments have been tried and are no longer controlling the cancer, it could be time to weigh the benefits and risks of continuing to try new treatments. Whether or not you continue treatment, there are still things you can do to help maintain or improve your quality of life.

Some people, especially if the cancer is advanced, might not want to be treated at all. There are many reasons you might decide not to get cancer treatment, but it’s important to talk to your doctors as you make that decision. Remember that even if you choose not to treat the cancer, you can still get supportive care to help with pain or other symptoms.

People who have advanced cancer and who are expected to live less than 6 months may want to consider hospice care. Hospice care is designed to provide the best possible quality of life for people who are near the end of life. You and your family are encouraged to talk with your doctor or a member of your supportive care team about hospice care options, which include hospice care at home, a special hospice center, or other health care locations. Nursing care and special equipment can make staying at home a workable option for many families.