What happens if prostate cancer is not treated?

The course depends on the cancer’s grade, stage, growth pattern, and your general health. Growth in or around the prostate can make urination difficult and may affect sexual or reproductive function. More advanced disease can travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, including to bones. Bone involvement may cause persistent pain, weakness, or a higher risk of fracture. Some prostate cancers grow slowly, while others need treatment sooner; a specialist uses examination, prostate-specific tests, scans, and biopsy findings to clarify the situation.

Arrange an appointment with a urologist or oncology team to review the diagnosis and whether active surveillance, surgery, radiotherapy, or another treatment is appropriate. Active surveillance is a planned programme of repeat tests for selected cancers, not the same as ignoring the diagnosis. Treatment choices may include prostate removal surgery, including robotic approaches, or other personalised options. Bring your biopsy report, scan results, medicines, and questions about side effects, fertility, continence, and sexual health.

Contact a clinician promptly for new blood in urine, worsening difficulty passing urine, severe or persistent bone pain, leg weakness, numbness, or loss of bladder or bowel control. Sudden inability to urinate, severe weakness, or new difficulty walking needs urgent medical assessment.

Ask what the stage and grade mean, how quickly the cancer appears to be changing, whether monitoring is suitable, which treatments fit your priorities, and how follow-up will detect progression or treatment effects.