What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the prostate. In the United States, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, after skin cancer.
cancer cell
Prostate cancer can be described in a number of ways, depending on where the cancer is and how the cancer has been treated. Prostate cancer can be localized (only in the prostate), or metastatic (spread to other areas of the body outside of the prostate).
When prostate cancer is diagnosed early, most men are treated with surgery or radiation. If the cancer returns, men are often treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). The purpose of ADT is to shrink cancer or slow its growth.
The prostate is unique to men. It’s a walnut-shaped gland that sits beneath the bladder.
The prostate produces a fluid that contributes to semen.
What is advanced prostate cancer? What is mCRPC?
Prostate cancer is described as advanced when it has progressed despite treatment to lower testosterone. Because the cancer no longer responds to treatment that results in very low levels of testoterone, it can also be described as castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). When CRPC has spread to other parts of the body, it's described as metastatic CRPC (mCRPC). Metastatic prostate cancer can be found in the bone, lymph nodes, or soft tissues.
Advanced prostate cancer may require advanced treatment options.
The role of PSA
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein made by the prostate. In healthy men, some PSA is found in the blood. If PSA levels in the blood are higher than normal, it may signal a problem in the prostate. Routine testing of PSA levels helps your doctor know when to order imaging to check for disease progression.
The role of imaging
Treatments for advanced prostate cancer
Personalized immunotherapy
Activates immune cells to target and attack prostate cancer cells immediately, with effects that last over time.
Hormone therapy
Blocks or slows the production or action of male hormones (androgens), which may fuel prostate cancer progression.
Chemotherapy
A drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells in your body.
Radiopharmaceuticals
Therapies that emit high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
PARP inhibitors
Prevent PARP from repairing single-strand breaks in DNA leading to premature death of cancer cells. (PARP stands for poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase.)
Where can I find support?
To find a urologist or oncologist who can administer PROVENGE, enter your ZIP code below.
