Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in American men. In 2019, it is estimated that there will be more than 174,000 new cases of prostate cancer in the U.S. and more than 31,000 men will die of the disease. When it comes to prostate cancer, metastatic prostate cancer is the most deadly form of the disease. This is when the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body, including the bone, lymph nodes, or other organs.

However, not all prostate cancer is metastatic. Nonmetastatic prostate cancer is when the cancer is still localized to the prostate and has not spread. This is the most common type of prostate cancer and generally increases with age. When caught early, nonmetastatic prostate cancer can often be cured with surgery, radiation therapy, or hormone therapy.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for developing nonmetastatic prostate cancer include:

Age: it is more common in older people
Family history: It is more common in men with a family history of prostate cancer or with a genetic predisposition
Race and ethnicity: It is more common in African-Americans than in other races
Diet: Certain dietary factors, such as consumption of red meat, can increase risk
Geography: It is more common in developed countries

Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosis of nonmetastatic prostate cancer typically involves a combination of physical exams, lab tests, and imaging tests. Treatment depends on the size and stage of the cancer. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy.

Surgery: Prostatectomy is a common surgical option for prostate cancer. This procedure involves removal of the prostate gland and any nearby tissue. This can be done via open surgery or less-invasive robotic surgery.

Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to target and destroy cancer cells. This is typically done in conjunction with surgery or instead of surgery for smaller, localized tumors.

Hormone Therapy: This involves the use of drugs to reduce testosterone levels. This treatment is typically used after the cancer has spread outside of the prostate gland.

Prognosis

Nonmetastatic prostate cancer has a very good prognosis when caught early and treated appropriately. Even after receiving standard treatments, it is important to be monitored regularly for recurrence.