The Prostate gland is the organ responsible for production of the liquid portion of the semen, and prostate cancer happens when a tumor on the prostate gland develops; hence prostate cancer is the cancer of the prostate gland. Metastatic prostate cancer is the cancer that propagates outside the prostate gland to the other parts of the body. The key for survival from this disease is early detection because once the prostate cancer has advanced beyond the prostate gland, no cure or treatment is available, although there are treatments to help control the spread of the disease and its symptoms for improved quality of life.
Metastatic prostate cancer also known as Stage IV prostate cancer is characterized by the spread of the cancer outside the prostate to the bladder or rectum, lymph nodes or even to distant areas like the bones. Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) is usually the recommended treatment for advanced prostate cancer. The growth of prostate cancer is fueled by the male hormone (androgens), one of which is testosterone. By blocking the production of testosterone, the size of prostate cancer is decreased. GnRH agonists are medicines used to prohibit the production of male hormones (androgens) to starve the cancer cells and cause them to shrink.
In the long run, men with metastatic prostate cancer no longer respond to any hormone treatment. The next treatment, depending on your situation and preference, usually includes chemotherapy. This treatment is used to slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells. It involves the use of several chemotherapy drugs called regimens, most of which are given intravenously. Another drug which blocks the production of androgens by the prostate cancer itself, in the testes and the adrenal glands have shown improved survival to patients who had progressive disease after undergoing chemotherapy. To avoid serious complications, this drug should be taken with prednisone.
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