Prostate cancer can come back if the original cancer has spread to other areas or if the first round of treatment does not resolve everything. Despite this, 5 out of 6 men with recurrent prostate cancer lived 5 years or more after treatment.
Even after successful prostate cancer treatment, the cancer can come back. Prostate cancer that comes back after successful treatment is called "recurrent prostate cancer."
Doctors usually testprostate cancerto measureProstate Specific Antigen (PSA)levels in your blood. After successful treatment, PSA levels drop significantly. If the PSA level rises suddenly, it may indicate that cancer cells are still present.
If prostate cancer comes back, there are still many things you can do to treat it. Read on to learn what causes prostate cancer to return, what symptoms to watch for, and what treatment options are available.
Some of the main reasons why prostate cancer can come back are:
- Transfer (Distribution):Cancer cells may have spread to different areas, such as your bones or nearby areaslymph nodes.The treatment cannot completely eliminate the cells.
- tumor size:Treatment may not completely remove larger tumors, meaning there may still be some cancerous tissue in the area.
- Treatment phase: advanced prostate cancerare more likely to spread beyond the prostate, andtransferrednearby tissue or bone. The spread that occurs at an advanced stage can make it more difficult to remove cancer cells, so treatment may still leave some cancerous tissue behind.
- Aggressiveness:Higher incidence of prostate cancergleason-scoreMore likely to return, even after treatment. The score evaluates the shape of the cancer cells under a microscope. The more abnormal the cells, the more likely they are to grow and relapse rapidly.
How often does prostate cancer come back?
Your chances of relapse may depend on your treatment plan. A 2018 review showed that prostate cancer has
According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the risk of prostate cancer returning after surgery or radiation is high25% to 33%.
Some early symptoms of recurrent prostate cancer to watch for are:
- Feeling extremely tired for no reason
- terdifficulty urinating
- Noticing abnormal skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- unexplained lower back pain
- watch your bloodUrineofsperm
- difficulty breathing
If your recurrent prostate cancer becomes more advanced, you may notice some of the following symptoms:
- feel deeplybone pain
- Swelling and loss of feeling in the pelvic area, legs or feet
- weight loss for no apparent reason
- constipation or irregular bowel movements
Your doctor will usually check your PSA level at a follow-up appointment. An elevated PSA level indicates that the prostate cancer has returned. Experts Say Elevated PSA Levels After First Treatment'biochemical repetition, which can occur even when there are no symptoms.
Are recurrent prostate cancers more aggressive?
Recurrent prostate cancer is not necessarily more aggressive than when it first appeared before treatment.
Cancer is usually as aggressive as ever. If the initial diagnosis was for invasive or more advanced prostate cancer, chances are the recurrent prostate cancer will also be aggressive.
When your doctor first diagnoses prostate cancer, make sure you know your Gleason score. This score can help you determine how aggressive the cancer is if it comes back.
It helps?
If your first prostate cancer was advanced but has not spread beyond the prostate, your doctor may have done PR to remove the prostate and prevent the cancer from spreading.
If you have RP and your prostate cancer still comes back, your doctor may suggest:
- Radiotherapydestroy cancer cells
- hormone therapyHelps lower levels of hormones called "androgens" that can make prostate cancer more aggressive
- cryotherapyDestroy cancer cells with extremely low temperatures
If the prostate cancer has spread to nearby tissue, you may need other treatments, including:
- Anorchidectomieremoval of one or both testicles that may be affected
- chemotherapyKill cancer cells with radiation therapy
- The prostate cancer vaccine (Provenge) can help boost your immune response to prostate cancer cells
- ImmunotherapyTackling cancer with targeted DNA changes
- dishes therapy(such as Lynparza or Rubraca) if you have a genetic mutationgen BRCA
The outlook for men with recurrent prostate cancer depends on how aggressive and advanced the cancer is.
According to a 2016 study, more than
A 2022 study found91%Men with recurrent prostate cancer lived 5 years without the cancer spreading. After 10 years, 77 percent were still alive.
There is no surefire way to prevent prostate cancer from coming back, but here are some tips that may help.Prevent prostate cancerBack from:
- Stay tuned:Check your body for any early symptoms of a relapse. Discuss blood tests, biopsies, and imaging tests with your doctor to quickly detect recurrent prostate cancer.
- Change your diet: some food, like many fruits and vegetables, can reduce the risk of cancer. They are also good for your overall health.
- Maintain a moderate weight:In addition to eating a healthy diet, you should exercise regularly to maintain overall health and a moderate weight. a2016 reviewIt is recommended to haveobesityIncreases the risk of prostate cancer.
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco:
Alcohol eplateBoth can increase the risk of many cancers, including prostate cancer. - Get enough vitamin D:A
Research overview 2018 Indicates higher level connections betweenVitamin Din your body and a lower risk of prostate cancer. Try to spend at least 15 minutes a day in direct sunlight or eatFoods rich in vitamin DExamples are fish, orange juice and oatmeal. - Having sex or masturbating:AStudied year 2016It is recommended to ejaculate at least21 times a monthIt may reduce the risk of prostate cancer, but more follow-up studies are needed to support this claim.
supporting resources
SomebronAvailable if you need support in treating and coping with prostate cancer. Imagine the following situation:
- Online database of the doctorProstate Cancer FoundationHelp in finding the right specialist
- financial utilitiescancer carehelp pay for your treatment
- Get live support from social workers during your cancer treatmentLine of hope
- The support group database is coming out
American Cancer Society Find a group near you or online - Virtual or face-to-face support group finderzero prostate cancer
It helps?
Two out of five men with prostate cancer may return after treatment. Try regular checkups and tests after your initial prostate cancer treatment, this will help you and your doctor catch any early signs or symptoms of a recurrence.
If the prostate cancer comes back, treatment options are still available. Most men do well after treatment for recurrent prostate cancer. Even if your cancer is currently incurable, treatment can still help reduce your symptoms.