Information on Longevity with Metastatic Prostate Cancer

Information on Longevity with Metastatic Prostate Cancer
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Early Detection of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most diagnosed cancers among males in the United States of America, and is found in older men of all ethnic backgrounds. Like other forms of cancer, symptoms are often not noticed until it reaches a late stage. That is why it is so important for men to get a prostate exam way before there is an opportunity to experience the signs and or symptoms of prostate cancer. The most common symptoms associated with this particular type of cancer is a difficulty when urinating, and/or the inability to obtain an erection.

Prostate examinations may be a bit nerve-wrecking, but early detection is easier to treat. If cancerous tumors are detected during the exam, the next step is to sit down and consult with a doctor about the available treatments. There are several types of treatment for prostate cancer such as chemotherapy, surgery, hormonal therapy, cryotherapy, and radiation. The advantages and disadvantages of any of these treatments should be thoroughly explained by a health care professional. The growth rate and stage of prostate cancer will also determine the most suitable option. If the test results find that the cancer is in the more aggressive stages, the longevity with metastatic prostate cancer also depends on the treatment.

Advanced Prostate Cancer

Once the cancer has gone beyond the prostate gland and into the bone or lymph nodes, it has advanced to what is called the metastatic stage of cancer. Metastasized cancer cells are nearly impossible to cure with treatment, but there are clinical trials (experiments) used for the purposes of reducing the chances of the cancer cells spreading. Since most of the medicines are undergoing testing and investigations, the U.S.Food and Drug Administration have not approved many of them.

Abiraterone acetate

A promising study shows that there is a fairly new medication manufactured by Johnson & Johnson called Abiraterone acetate that improves the quality of life of a person who has reached the advanced stage of prostate cancer. It is an oral drug made with steroidal elements, and it also contains antiandrogens. Abiraterone acetate is supposed to treat the prostate’s cancerous tumors by inhibiting the production of androgen in the testes, adrenal glands, and other infected sites. So far, research performed on this medication has shown that the patients who have been approved for this drug have survived longer than patients on administered placebos. The average survival rate on the Abiraterone is up to 15 months.

Surviving Prostate Cancer

The longevity of patients with advanced prostate cancer could be anywhere from a couple of months, to a few years. These factors depend on the magnitude of the cancer, and/or the patient’s response to the controlled treatments. If the duration of the response is positive; more than likely the survival rate of the patient will be greater. There is a tremendous amount of research being done in order to find cures for prostate cancer. Hopefully in the near future, this nation will continue to see great improvement in longevity with metastatic prostate cancer.

References

WWW. PCF. Org

Abiraterone improves survival in metastatic prostate cancer. (2010, October 19). NCI Cancer Bulletin, 7(20), Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin/101910/page3