Chemotherapy to treat prostate cancer
When a cancer spreads beyond the prostate, it may be time to consider
chemotherapy.
For some advanced prostate cancers (stages III or IV), other options must be considered.
These advanced treatments target the whole body. They don’t necessarily seek to
cure cancer, but to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
If your prostate cancer is metastatic (stage IV), it is sometimes treated with chemotherapy.
There are many types of chemotherapy drugs.
Chemotherapy can be given in several ways:
- Intravenous (IV): Chemotherapy goes directly into a vein
- Injection: Chemotherapy is given by a shot in a muscle, or just
under the skin
- Intra-arterial (IA): Chemotherapy goes directly into the artery
that is feeding the cancer
- Intraperitoneal (IP): Chemotherapy goes directly into the peritoneal
cavity—the area that contains the intestines, stomach, liver, and ovaries—also known
as the abdominal cavity
- Topically: Chemotherapy comes in a cream that you rub onto the
skin
- Orally: Chemotherapy comes in pills, capsules, or liquids
Chemo is often used to treat advanced prostate cancer if hormone therapy hasn’t
worked. Additionally, chemo is currently being studied for use in the early stages
of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer chemotherapy can come with some side effects, including:
- Anemia
- A low white blood cell count (neutropenia)
- Infection
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Hair loss
- Loss of appetite
- Mouth sores
- Numbness or tingling of the skin (paresthesia)
Learn about one chemotherapy treatment.
Find out about a treatment option for prostate cancer.
Learn more
Get the facts about
hormone therapy
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