What should you know about end stage prostate cancer?

Advanced prostate cancer may involve the bones or other organs. Bone involvement can cause persistent back, hip, or pelvic pain, reduced movement, weakness, or a fracture. Pressure near the urinary tract can cause difficulty passing urine, a weak stream, urgency, or inability to empty the bladder. Tiredness, appetite change, swelling, and low mood may also occur. Symptoms have several possible causes, so a new change needs clinical assessment rather than a guess about the cancer.

Your team may discuss medicines or other systemic treatment to control cancer, radiotherapy for a painful or troublesome area, and targeted radioisotope therapy for selected disease. Bone-strengthening therapy may help protect bone health in appropriate situations. Procedures to improve urine flow can be considered if blockage is present. Palliative care supports pain, fatigue, appetite, sleep, mood, and family needs alongside cancer-directed care. Ask for mobility advice and ways to reduce falls if bones are painful or fragile.

Get emergency help for new leg weakness or numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, severe back pain with difficulty walking, inability to pass urine, confusion, fainting, chest pain, or severe breathlessness. These can signal spinal cord pressure, urinary blockage, infection, or another problem needing rapid treatment. Call the oncology team promptly for fever, worsening pain, blood in the urine, or a sudden fall.

Has the cancer reached the bones or another organ? What symptoms should make us call immediately? How will you protect mobility and manage pain? Could radiotherapy, radioisotope therapy, or bone-strengthening treatment help? What can be done if urine flow becomes difficult? Who provides support at home?