Recurrent Prostate Cancer: What You Need to Know
Recurrent prostate cancer is a type of prostate cancer that returns after a patient’s initial course of treatment. Usually, this happens when prostate cancer cells from the original diagnosis migrate to other areas of the body, causing an increase to PSA levels and other physical signs of discomfort. This can occur in patients that are in remission or even told that they’re cancer-free, and it can happen months or years after the original diagnosis. Up to 40% of prostate cancer patients experience recurrent prostate cancer at some point in their lives. The good news is that recurrent prostate cancer is highly treatable if detected early and managed by a trusted team of medical professionals.
The Emotional Impact of Recurrent Prostate Cancer
A recurrent prostate cancer diagnosis can be very emotionally challenging for patients, especially those who were previously told that they were in remission or even cancer-free. Many of the feelings from a patient’s initial diagnosis, including fear, anxiety, anger, and depression, can rise back to the surface with a new diagnosis. These feelings can often be stronger than they were before, and a patient may feel worried or unsure of their ability to undergo another round of treatment. Despite these challenges of a new diagnosis, patients can find comfort in the knowledge that recurrent prostate cancer is typically very slow-growing, and that many recurrent prostate cancer patients go on to live long and active lives.
Signs of Recurrent Prostate Cancer
There are several factors could indicate a return of the initial cancer. The most important potential sign is a rise in PSA levels. PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) is a value that can be measured in a patient’s blood to indicate whether or not prostate cancer may be present in a patient’s body. While this test can be incredibly helpful in detecting a recurrence, rising PSA levels are not conclusive on their own. Regular PSA testing should be combined with other testing, performed by a trusted healthcare professional at regular check-ups. Patients should also contact their health teams immediately if they suspect that they may be suffering from symptoms of recurrent prostate cancer, including urinary issues, bone pain, fatigue, or weight loss. Early detection of these symptoms, combined with a rapid and customized treatment plan, can make all the difference in reducing the spread of recurrent prostate cancer and maximizing both a patient’s health and their quality of life.
When to Talk to Your Doctor
As with any cancer, early detection and treatment will help tremendously in a patient’s recovery. Regular screening, including PSA testing and digital rectal exams, are vital in checking a patient’s health and making sure that any potential prostate cancer recurrence is caught early, while the maximum number of treatment options are still available. Be sure to contact a trusted healthcare professional immediately and schedule an appointment if you notice any potential symptoms of recurrent prostate cancer. This will help to rule out a potential recurrence or allow your medical team to initiate treatment quickly if additional prostate cancer cells are found.
Treatment for Recurrent Prostate Cancer
There are several important factors that determine how a patient should be treated for recurrent prostate cancer. These factors include the state of the cancer, whether the prostate cancer cells have spread to the pelvis or other areas of the body, and the treatment that the patient received following their initial diagnosis. If patients received surgery (in the form of a radical prostatectomy) upon receiving their initial diagnosis, then radiation therapy, possibly in combination with hormone therapy, may be a viable course of treatment. Radiation therapy is used to irradiate any potential prostate cancer cells that may have spread elsewhere in the body, while hormone therapy lowers the amount of testosterone in a patient’s body—a hormone which prostate cancer cells can rapidly feed on and grow when exposed to. Conversely, if a patient underwent radiation or hormone therapy during their initial treatment, then a radical prostatectomy surgery may be viable, as well as additional forms of treatment such as ablative therapy or brachytherapy.
Meet with your healthcare team regularly to screen for recurrent prostate cancer and discuss what the best options for your individual treatment are if you’re diagnosed.
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