What should you know about metastatic prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer may spread to nearby tissues or distant sites, often requiring assessment of the bones, lymph nodes, or other organs. The location and extent of spread influence symptoms, test choices, and treatment discussions. Bone involvement can cause persistent back, hip, or other bone pain, but some people have no symptoms when spread is first found.

Urinary changes can have several causes. [Difficulty Passing Urine](/symptoms/difficulty-passing-urine/) may result from prostate enlargement, narrowing, or tumour-related obstruction and needs clinical assessment rather than assumptions about its cause.

Your team may use examination, blood tests, scans, and sometimes tissue sampling to define the disease. Treatment can combine medicines that act throughout the body with radiotherapy or surgery in selected situations. Options may include [Radiotherapy](/treatments/radiation-oncology/radiotherapy/), [Targeted Radioisotope Therapy](/treatments/radiation-oncology/targeted-radioisotope-therapy/), or [Bone-Strengthening Therapy](/treatments/supportive-and-palliative-care/bone-strengthening-therapy/) when appropriate.

Tell the team about pain, urinary symptoms, weakness, falls, and changes in bowel control. Ask about preserving mobility, managing treatment effects, and involving supportive care early. The plan can be adjusted when symptoms, scans, or treatment response change.

Seek urgent care for new leg weakness or numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, severe back pain, inability to pass urine, or sudden confusion. These can signal complications requiring prompt assessment. Contact the oncology team promptly for worsening pain, fever, repeated falls, or new swelling.

Where has the cancer spread, and which tests established this? Is the goal to control cancer, relieve symptoms, or both? Which treatments fit my health and priorities? How will bone health and urinary function be monitored? What symptoms require same-day help?