Advanced prostate cancer Toowoomba

Advanced prostate cancer

diagnosis, treatment and side effects

What is advanced prostate cancer?

When we talk about ‘advanced prostate cancer’ it means the cancer has spread beyond the prostate or has come back after treatments like surgery or radiotherapy.

In ‘advanced prostate cancer,’ the cancer may have spread to other body parts, for example your bones, or lymph nodes, your liver, lungs, brain or other organs. This advanced stage often comes with challenges and requires specialised treatment.

Not everyone shows symptoms of advanced prostate cancer, but if you have any, they may include:

Needing to go to the bathroom a lot or very quickly.
Having a hard time starting to pee, or not being able to go even when you feel you need to.
Feeling pain while peeing.
Seeing blood in your pee or in your semen.
Feeling pain in your lower back, upper part of your legs, or hips.
Feeling very tired.
Having pain in your bones or breaking them easily.
Losing weight without trying.

Just remember, these symptoms are not necessarily caused by prostate cancer. That’s why I recommend making an appointment so you can discuss them with us and do a few tests to find out what’s actually going on. It’s always best to be sure and get the right treatment if needed.

Treatment for advanced prostate cancer

If you have advanced prostate cancer, you will be assessed for individual treatment plans because everyone’s cancer is different.

For example, the stage you are at plays a role, as well as the area it has spread to, how fast the cancer grows and how well you respond to treatment. By looking at your unique situation, we can choose the best treatment options that might work for you, help you feel better, and manage any side effects.

The main treatment for advanced prostate cancer is hormone therapy, which usually has to be taken indefinitely.

New drugs called novel antiandrogens can be given along with hormone therapy if the cancer keeps growing despite the treatment.

Chemotherapy might be used at the same time as hormone therapy or the new antiandrogens, especially if the cancer has spread a lot.

Immunotherapy is a new type of treatment that’s being tested in research studies for advanced prostate cancer.

Hormone therapy for advanced prostate cancer

Prostate cancer growth is driven by androgens or male sex hormones. Lowering these hormones through hormone therapy, or androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), can shrink the cancer and slow its progression.

The effectiveness of hormone therapy varies and depends on the cancer’s aggressiveness and spread at the start of treatment. At Toowoomba Specialists, we will discuss the best hormone therapy options for your unique case, with three main types available for advanced stages.

Injections to stop the production of testosterone
Tablets to block the effects of testosterone (See below: Novel antiandrogens)
Orchidectomy or the surgical removal of the testicles

Side effects of hormone therapy

Loss of libido
Erectile difficulties
Hot flushes
Fatigue
Weight gain
Loss of muscle mass and strength
Thinning of the bones (osteoporosis)
Increased risk of heart disease
Higher chance of developing or worsening diabetes

Novel antiandrogens

Novel antiandrogens are new drugs given along with hormone therapy to men whose prostate cancer keeps growing despite the hormone treatment. They work by blocking hormones that can feed the growth of the cancer.

Chemotherapy for advanced prostate cancer

Chemotherapy is a treatment for advanced prostate cancer that uses medicine to try to reduce the cancer size and stop it from spreading.

This medicine is usually given through a vein in your arm during hospital visits, and you don’t have to stay overnight. The side-effects of chemo can be severe, and sometimes we will prescribe other drugs to deal with these side-effects.

When the cancer has spread a lot, we may use chemotherapy together with hormone therapy and novel antiandrogens.

Side effects of chemotherapy

Anaemia (low red blood cells)
Neutropenia (low white blood cells)
Fatigue
Changes in appetite
Bruising
Constipation
Diarrhoea
Hair loss
Nausea and vomiting
Sore mouth or throat
Changes in nerve sensation
Skin and nail changes
Watery eyes and runny nose
Swelling
Infertility

Immunotherapy for advanced prostate cancer

Immunotherapy is a new treatment option for advanced prostate cancer that is currently being studied in clinical trials. It aims to boost the body’s immune system to fight the cancer. As a new approach, it holds promise but is not yet widely used outside of research settings.

Access support groups and multidisciplinary services

Feeling a mix of anger, frustration, or worry after a prostate cancer diagnosis is common. You’re not alone in this struggle. Joining a support group can connect you with other men facing similar challenges, offering comfort and community support.

Under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), people who have a chronic medical condition such as cancer and who need a multidisciplinary approach are able to access the following services:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner,
Aboriginal health worker,
Diabetes educator,
Dietitian,
Exercise physiologist,
Mental health worker,
Occupational therapist,
Physiotherapist,
Psychologist

Toowoomba Specialists for advanced prostate cancer

If you’re facing advanced prostate cancer, Toowoomba Specialists provides personalised care plans and modern therapies. Ask your GP for a referral and contact Toowoomba Specialists today to schedule a consultation.

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Advanced prostate cancer Toowoomba