Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men in the US. And it is also one of the leading causes of cancer death.
Although when detected in its early stages, many people survive it, how can it cause death in the end?
When prostate cancer turns into metastatic prostate cancer, it can be lethal.
The chances of surviving decrease as the cancer spreads beyond the prostate.
And only 3 out of 10 men can survive it once the cancer has metastasized to other parts of the body.
What is metastatic prostate cancer?
Metastatic prostate cancer happens when the prostate cancer spreads or metastasizes.
It is still treated as prostate cancer when it spreads as it still has the same cancer cells that originated from the original tumor.
Metastatic Prostate cancer can be deadly when cancer develops in:
- Lymph Nodes
- Bones
- Liver
- Lungs
- Brain
How does prostate cancer spread?
Cancer cells break away from the original tumor, which is why they go to a blood or lymph vessel.
They will reach a certain point in your capillaries, go through the blood vessel, and attach themselves to whatever tissue they find.
What are the chances of developing metastatic prostate cancer?
Over half of all the men diagnosed with prostate cancer have the chance of developing metastatic cancer during their lifetime.
However, discovering their prostate cancer in the early stages and treating it can decrease the chances.
How can I find out if my prostate cancer is deadly?
When you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, make sure you do as your doctor suggests and get x-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and PET scans to find out if the cancer has already metastasized.
Your doctor will also ask for other tests, such as blood tests, PSA levels, and other indications to make sure the cancer is not spreading.
