Stage 4 Prostate Cancer Treatment

By Staff Reporter - 21 January 2021

Health

A cancer diagnosis always divides life into "before" and "after". However, it is important to know what can be done.

The goal of stage 4 prostate cancer treatment

At the fourth stage of prostate cancer, the goal of treatment is to fight the metastatic process and symptoms it’s causing.

Men with prostate cancer of this stage can notice swelling of the genitals and legs. If metastases in the bones are present, then pain in the area is often the first sign of a tumor. Prostate cancer symptoms at stage 4 may include sharp pain in the pelvic area, pain in the bones, unsteady gait, and metabolic disorders.

Conventional treatment options

When the fourth stage of prostate cancer is confirmed (mainly with PET/CT and prostate biopsy), the treatment options are evaluated.

Patients with prostate cancer stage 4 usually receive the conventional treatment in the form of hormone therapy and radiation therapy. Surgery in most patients with stage 4 prostate cancer is not reasonable.

Hormone therapy is one of the most widely used treatment methods for prostate cancer. Hormone therapy involves testosterone suppression therapy, because the growth of the tumor occurs due to an increase of the testosterone levels.

Stage 4 prostate cancer treatment with radiation therapy aims at suppressing the growth of the tumor and metastases. Radiotherapy method of treatment allows maintaining sexual activity.

Lutetium-177 PSMA therapy

Lutetium-177 therapy is based on application of the radioactive substance Lutetium-177. With the bloodstream, the Lutetium-177 compound is carried throughout the body, binds to cancer cells, and destroys them by emitting gamma radiation. Radiation in the body travels at a distance of less than 2 mm, so nearby organs are not affected.

The amazing fact about Lutetium therapy for prostate cancer is that the treatment works even in cases when other treatments no longer help. Scientific studies have demonstrated a good therapeutic response in many patients who no longer had any other treatment option left.

Another important advantage of Lutetium therapy is the effect on metastases not only in the bone tissue, but also in lymph nodes and internal organs.

Alternative treatments for stage 4 prostate cancer

Immunotherapy is effective in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. The drug called Sipuleucel-T is used for these purposes.

In addition, there is a treatment method similar to Lutetium-177 PSMA therapy called Actinium-255 therapy.

The difference between the two methods is that Lutetium-177 therapy is approved by the FDA. This substance finds cancer cells in the body and irradiates them with beta radiation. However, Lutetium-177 therapy isn’t suitable for all patients.

In this case, Actinium-225 is prescribed as an alternative method of treatment. It is also able to find cancer cells in the body. Unlike Lutetium, it emits radioactive alpha particles that damage the DNA of tumor cells. At the same time, the radius of alpha radiation is smaller, due to which greater accuracy and safety of therapy is achieved.

There are also clinical trials that patients can participate in. It is important to know that the decision to participate in clinical trials should be discussed with doctors. Specialists determine whether a clinical trial will be beneficial and whether the patient is eligible to participate in one. Doctors also help to select the clinical trial.

How can I undergo stage 4 prostate cancer treatment during a lockdown?

Stage 4 prostate cancer is a serious diagnosis. That is why it is better to choose the best clinics with the best equipment and experienced healthcare practitioners.

If you need to travel to get the best treatment possible, lockdown isn’t going to be an obstacle. With Booking Health, you don’t need to worry about the lockdown limitations. The company will take care of all the issues.

Stage 4 prostate cancer treatment can be organized for you. All of it. Negotiation with the hospital, translation of medical reports, application for a medical visa for you and the accompanying person, medical visa extension, booking tickets, accommodation and airport transfers, services of a medical interpreter – Booking Help can arrange it all and even more.

All you need to do is to leave a request on the Booking Health website, and a medical adviser will contact you shortly.

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