Overview of Treatment Options for Metastatic Disease
Once prostate cancer spreads outside the prostate, local therapies are not used unless patients have local symptoms. Instead, the treatment recommended is intended to treat prostate cancer cells everywhere in the body. The primary therapy is based on the fact that testosterone, the male sex hormone, stimulates prostate cells. Therefore, lowering the testosterone can kill cells and slow their growth and several treatments can accomplish that goal. Chemotherapy is also available and has been shown to improve survival. Medications are also available to help protect the bones.
