What are the options for locally advanced, recurrent, or metastatic prostate cancer?
Locally advanced cancer is called stage III cancer. It refers to cancer that has spread beyond the margins of the prostate gland into the seminal vesicles and/or nearby lymph nodes. Recurrent cancer refers to a previously treated cancer that has returned. The return is usually signaled by a rise in prostate-specific antigen in the bloodstream after radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy. Metastatic or stage IV cancer refers to the spread of prostate cancer cells through the lymphatic system or bloodstream to other parts of the body. For instance, it might spread to the chest wall or bones. Neither locally advanced, recurrent, nor metastatic prostate cancer can generally be cured with current treatments. But there are several treatments that provide long-term control of the cancer. Many men live for years or even decades with a good quality of life on these therapies. In addition, there are several promising therapies for advanced-stage prostate cancer that are now being studied. Me
