Does chemotherapy treat prostate cancer?

Early prostate cancer is often managed with treatments directed at the prostate, while chemotherapy is more commonly considered when cancer has spread beyond the prostate or continues to progress despite hormone treatment. It travels through the bloodstream, so it can reach cancer cells in several parts of the body.

Chemotherapy may be combined with hormone treatment or other medicines. The choice depends on scan results, symptoms, previous treatments, other health conditions, and your preferences. The aim may be to slow cancer, ease symptoms, and help maintain everyday function. It does not mean every person with prostate cancer needs chemotherapy.

Ask your oncologist why chemotherapy is being recommended and what other options fit your situation. Share information about heart, kidney, liver, nerve, and blood conditions, as well as all medicines and supplements. Before treatment, discuss infection precautions, food and activity, fertility or sexual concerns, and how pain or urinary symptoms will be managed.

During chemotherapy, call the treatment team promptly for fever or chills, a new cough, burning urine, persistent diarrhoea, repeated vomiting, unusual bruising, or worsening weakness. Seek emergency help for severe breathing trouble, fainting, confusion, or uncontrolled bleeding. New inability to pass urine or severe back pain with leg weakness also needs urgent assessment.

What is chemotherapy intended to do in my case? How will it fit with hormone treatment? Which side effects should I report immediately, and how will we judge whether treatment is helping?