Erleada and prostate cancer: what to know

Prostate cancer cells can use male hormones, including testosterone, to receive growth signals. Apalutamide attaches to the androgen receptor and interferes with that signalling. It is taken as part of a planned regimen; the exact role depends on whether the cancer is localised, has spread, or has changed despite hormone treatment.

Your team may follow prostate-specific antigen, scans, symptoms, blood tests, bone health, and treatment effects. Difficulty passing urine can occur with prostate problems and deserves assessment, but it does not by itself identify the cause.

Take the medicine exactly as prescribed and tell the team about every prescription, supplement, and herbal product. Discuss falls, tiredness, hot flushes, changes in blood pressure, seizures, fractures, and skin reactions. Depending on the cancer’s location and prior care, options may include radiotherapy, brachytherapy, prostate removal surgery, or targeted radioisotope therapy.

Ask whether bone-strengthening therapy, exercise guidance, or dietary advice is suitable. Do not change hormone treatment or stop apalutamide without medical direction.

Get urgent help for a seizure, sudden weakness, severe allergic swelling, chest pain, severe breathlessness, or a fall causing significant pain. Contact your oncology team quickly for a new rash with blisters, fever, fainting, or inability to pass urine.

What stage and treatment group does my prostate cancer fall into? Why is apalutamide being added to hormone treatment? Which blood tests and scans will monitor me? How should I manage a missed dose, a fall, a rash, or new urinary difficulty?