How Fast and Where Does Prostate Cancer Spread (metastasis)?
… Continued …
Here is the table (source; the National Cancer Institute) about the main sites of metastasis from some different types of cancer:
What happens when prostate cancer spreads to the bones?
Again, bone is the most common site of where the cancerous cells from prostate to spread. The complications of when bone is affected by prostate cancer can vary from patient to patient – depending on the location and size of the cancer that affects the bone.
But pain, swelling, and problems associated with movement are the most common symptoms that occur. Other less common symptoms may include; pathological fracture (a weakened bone that breaks), high fever, unusual weight loss, and fatigue (frequent tiredness).
Typically, the pain is getting worse at night. Tender or painful sensation can occur in the areas of bones affected by cancer. Bones of thighs, hips, and back may be the most vulnerable areas for the metastasis of prostate cancer.
For swelling symptom or lump, it usually occurs when the cancerous tumor in bone is quite large in size. But this is also dependent on the location of the affected bones. For cancer that affects a joint, lump may be relatively easier to be noticeable and it also can choke the way to move the affected joint. You also may have a limp if the cancerous cells have spread in the bone of your leg.
Does prostate cancer spread to the brain?
Theoretically, cancer cells may be able to spread to any sites /organs of the body – particularly true if left untreated. So, does it spread to the brain?
‘Yes’ there are a few number of this case. But however, the case of brain for metastasis of prostate cancer is very rare if compared to other common sites of metastasis (such as bones, lungs, & liver).
*This article is only purposed for general information. For more comprehensive information about prostate cancer metastasis, see medical specialists for prostate cancer!
doctor tells me I have stage 3.4 -gleason score hard 7- 4+3 I am 77yrs old and other wise healthy. I decided to let things take there course.watchful waiting.bench marked psa at 27.5 bench mark go for another psa in 6 months,and see how it spreading.
Concerned about spread. 3-4, after biopsy. Aged 74. Doctor has asked why an MRI scan was not offered? or surgery? Supposed to have contact with hospital, but have not been able to connect with anyone. There’s a persistent pain in left leg. Could be arthritis? It would help to know that it is this rather than a spread. Appreciate NHS restrictive practice for treatment of older persons in UK, but do lead an active life. Work three days a week and garden.
Hi Coles! Whatever it is, persistent pain should not be ignored. A number of conditions (from mild to serious) can factor into pain in the left leg. If the pain doesn’t relieve with lifestyle measures, get immediate medical help to keep safe.
54 yo started out psa 32.75 now gleason left side gleason 3+4 right side 3+3.
left side no psa test first time this year. have had groin pain for 2 plus years and no ejaculation. awaiting bone scan next possibility of mesatasis ???
Husband DXed with prostate a year ago and chose No treatment. now is having lung problems on oxygene and PSA levels at 15. Could he now have lung cancer?
First things first, prostate specific antigen (PSA) level is not everything — it’s just one of indicators to help diagnose abnormal growth in the prostate. Sometimes people with prostate cancer have normal PSA level. However in general, high PSA level is likely to signal abnormal condition – especially if it’s higher than 10 ng/mL!
It’s true that treatment for prostate cancer is not always necessary, depending on several factors (ask your healthcare provider for more guidance). Even though if you choose to leave it untreated, it’s still important to regularly monitor the cancer!
And yes, it’s possible for prostate cancer to spread to the lungs. But don’t conclude on your own, several tests are usually required for accurate diagnosis. If the lung problems or other symptoms get worse, seek medical help promptly!
My 79 year old x husband has an aggressive prostrate cancer that has spread to lymph nodes and spinal cord. He originally had a 7% survival over 3 years ago and is still alive. All treatment has ceased except for hormone therapy. He was told there is a treatment offered in Australia and Israel that has an 80% cure rate. Is this true?
I was diagnosed with gleason 3+4 ten years ago. Followed a strict diet snd changed my lifestyle for 6 months, teduced my weight by 20 kilos and felt good. Slowly slipped back into my old extravagant lifestyle and my psa started to rise slowly each year. Had a biopsy and mri in 2016 Still gleason 3+4 not aggresive staging. Had another mri in 2021 looked like no change but a biopsy showed gleason 4+3. Was advised to have treatment but deferred until a recent mri showed the timour was growing and was slightly extra capsular psa was now 25.
I agreed to have a prostatectomy which was performed two days ago. At present i am convinced it was the worst decision i could have made. Radiotherapy or no treatment would be better. I also believe that if i’d chamged my lifestyle to a gentler one as i did before i’d have a good few yeats of good life left without yreatment, but now i feel like an empty shell. We’re not guaranteed to live to the sverage 80 years, every day is precious but hard to apprrciate with a pissbag and lots of pain and. O energy. I hope i improve. I will post again in a week to inform of my condition . Bless you all.
PS i am in holland where there are only two trestment choices prostatectomy or radiation . At a price there are many other therapies available at clinics around the ewrld.