Short Term Side Effects
Patients who receive any type of radiation therapy to treat their prostate cancer can have side effects. Short term side effects are ones that start during or shortly after your radiation treatment. Below is a list of possible short term side effects. Treatments can affect each patient differently, and you may not have these particular side effects. Talk with your care team about what you can expect from your treatment
How Common Is Prostate Cancer
About one in nine men will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis during his lifetime. Prostate cancer is second only to skin cancer as the most common cancer affecting males. Close to 200,000 American men receive a diagnosis of prostate cancer every year. There are many successful treatments and some men dont need treatment at all. Still, approximately 33,000 men die from the disease every year.
Soreness In The Groin
When prostate cancer spreads, its common for cancer cells to go to your lymph nodes and then move to more areas of your body. The lymph nodes are a network of glands that help your body filter fluids and fight infections.
There are several lymph nodes in your groin. These are the ones closest to your prostate, so its common for the cancer to spread to them first. Cancer cells prevent your lymph nodes from draining fluid and working properly. When this happens, your lymph nodes swell. As a result, you might experience pain or soreness in the area.
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Back Pain And Prostate Cancer
Hi, I have posted on here before and those that have see I am really worried I have P.C. but k owe my psa is only 1.
my concerns revolve around having prostate issues 4 years ago and diagnosed with enlarged Prostate.
Whilst I know that a psa that low should provide however has a cousin who wasnt diagnosed until it was in his spine.
Since I was diagnosed with enlarged prostate I have had two very bad episodes of central back pain, first Ive in Oct 2018 then again sept 2019, so bad I was given 2 spinal CT scans 1 for each episode.
Neither of which showed anything amiss.
i have recently had a really bad episode of hip and leg pain beyond any sort of pain I can remember, whilst that has seemingly improved after some physio the hip pain remains but my leg appears to have lost some strength and marginally muscle mass.
Along side this Ive tte last few weeks I have noticed pain in my lower back and today again between my shoulders.
to add to my PC worries my GP ran full blood tests and one in particular serum ferritin was identified as high 607 normal is lower than 400. I paired serum ferritin high with P.C. on the I internet and have found a study that showed this is seen in PC and the higher the number the more agreesuve it may be.
my question is, if my fears are real would it really take 1.5 years almost since my first episode fir it to progress?
in tte meantime I am awaiting an mri but due to having a Pacemaker is taking a little sorting.
Any input welcome
Root Causes Of Persistent Lower Back Pain
Pain is considered persistent as soon as it lasts for more than three months and goes beyond the bodys natural healing procedure. Chronic pain in the low back usually entails a disc trouble, a joint problem, and/or an aggravated nerve root. Usual causes include:
Back herniated disc. The jelly-like center of a lumbar disc can appear the challenging outer layer as well as aggravate a close-by nerve root. The herniated section of the disc contains proteins that cause inflammation when they get to a nerve root, and also inflammation, in addition to nerve compression, trigger nerve origin pain. The disc wall surface is additionally richly supplied by nerve fibers, and also a tear through the wall surface can create serious pain.
Degenerative disc illness. At birth, intervertebral discs are full of water and at their healthiest. As people age over time, discs lose hydration and wear down. As the disc loses hydration, it can not resist forces too, and also transfers pressure to the disc wall that might create rips as well as cause pain or weakening that can lead to a herniation. The disc can likewise fall down and also contribute to stenosis.
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Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer
Once a tumor causes your prostate gland to swell, or once cancer spreads beyond your prostate, you may have symptoms including:
- The need to pee often, especially at night
- Trouble starting or stopping a stream of urine
- A weak stream or one that starts and stops
- Leaking pee when you laugh or cough
- Not being able to pee standing up
- Pain or burning when you pee
- Blood in your pee or
- Pressure or pain in your rectum
- Pain or stiffness in your lower back, hips, pelvis, or thighs
- New trouble getting an erection
These arenât symptoms of the cancer itself. They happen because the cancer growth is blocking your prostate.
How Do You Know If Your Prostate Is Infected
How is prostatitis diagnosed?
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Further Pushing The Limits
It isnt surprising that a higher radiation dose is better, but SBRT technology is what allowed that dose to be delivered safely, said Dr. Buchsbaum. In short, careful patient selection and a higher dose yielded the expected results.
Moving forward, its important that practitioners apply this treatment approach on patients with limited spinal metastases, and not the general population of all patients with spinal metastases, he added.
This isnt for the patient who has pain everywhere , which is unfortunately the majority of patients, agreed Dr. Sahgal. But if you have a defined region of metastatic disease in the spine, and you can pinpoint the pain to that region, that’s going to be who benefits.
His team hopes to test if further pushing the limits of spinal SBRT could help a greater number of patients with limited spinal metastases. They plan to test both 28 Gy in two fractions, and an ultra-high single dose of 24 Gy, to see if either regimen can reduce pain in more patients while maintaining the level of safety seen in the current trial.
They are also designing trials to see if SBRT can eliminate pain from bone metastases in other parts of the body, such as the arms or the ribs, Dr. Sahgal explained.
Theres data that suggests it will, but we need to prove it, he said. If it can, that will change the game overall for patients with bone metastases.
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Anatomy And Metastasis Of Prostate Cancer
The pudendal nerve innervates the few striated muscles within the prostatic capsule. The parasympathetic nerves emanate from S2 to S4 and form the pelvic nerve. The sympathetic preganglionic nerves, which reside in the thoracolumbar region between T6 and L2, provide the major neural input to the prostate and reach the pelvis through the hypogastric nerve .
Prostate cancer has been shown to metastasize by following the venous drainage system through the lower paravertebral plexus, or Batsons plexus.4,9 Although hematogenous spread of other malignancies is most commonly to the lungs and liver, 90 percent of prostatic metastases involve the spine, with the lumbar spine affected three times more often than the cervical spine. Prostate cancer also spreads to the lungs in about 50 percent of patients with metastatic disease, and to the liver in about 25 percent of those with metastases.4
Epidural metastases are the result of contiguous spread from lesions of the calvaria to the meninges. Because of the protective layer of the dura mater, subdural and intra-parenchymal metastases from prostate cancer are rare .
Further Treatments To Control The Cancer
Your first treatment may help keep your cancer under control. But over time, the cancer may change and start to grow again. If this happens you might be offered other treatments, including:
- more hormone therapy
- clinical trials
More hormone therapy
Your prostate cancer may respond well to other types of hormone therapy, such as abiraterone , enzalutamide , steroids or oestrogens, or to a combination of treatments.
More chemotherapy
If youve had hormone therapy on its own as a first treatment, you might be offered a chemotherapy drug called docetaxel . This may help some men to live longer, and can help to improve and delay symptoms. If youve already had docetaxel, you might be offered more docetaxel or another chemotherapy drug called cabazitaxel .
Radium-223
This is a type of internal radiotherapy that may be an option if your cancer has spread to your bones and is causing pain. A radioactive liquid is injected into your arm and collects in bones that have been damaged by the cancer. It kills cancer cells in the bones and helps some men to live longer. It can also help to reduce bone pain and delay some symptoms, such as bone fractures. Read more about radiotherapy for advanced prostate cancer.
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How Long Does Lower Back Pain Normally Last
Lower back pain can be categorized as acute, subacute or persistent. Acute episodes of lower back pain generally last from a couple of days to 4 weeks as well as subacute lower back pain lasts between 4 to 12 weeks. However, according to the National Institutes of Health, concerning 20 percent of people with acute back pain take place to develop chronic back pain defined as discomfort that lasts 12 weeks or longer. Also in these cases, there are various therapy choices to assist alleviate lower back pain signs and symptoms.
When your back is truly eliminating you, you may fret something is seriously incorrect. The same goes for back pain that seems never-ending. Fortunately is that while back pain is a significant inconvenience, it is seldom an urgent clinical issue. In fact, the majority of the time you dont have to treat it. Back pain typically resolves on its own unless you have a significant hidden concern. Lower Back Pain Associated With Prostate Cancer
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Suggestions For Keeping Ones Back Healthy
Exercise regularly to keep muscular tissues solid as well as flexible. Get in touch with a doctor for a list of low-impact, age-appropriate exercises that are specifically targeted to strengthening lower back as well as abdominal muscles.
Keep a healthy weight and consume a nutritious diet plan with an adequate everyday consumption of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D to advertise new bone growth.
Usage ergonomically made furniture and tools in your home and at the workplace. Make sure work surfaces are at a comfy height.
Switch sitting positions commonly as well as periodically walk the workplace or carefully stretch muscles to alleviate tension. A cushion or rolled-up towel put behind the small of the back can offer some back assistance. Place your feet on a reduced stool or a pile of publications when sitting for a very long time.
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Risk Factors For Prostate And Testicular Disorders
While these men over 50 years old are at highest risk of developing prostate disorders and men between the ages of 20 and 54 are most at risk of developing testicular problems, age is just one of the factors that can increase a manâs risk of developing prostate and testicular disorders. Other risk factors include:
- Diet and weight â Eating a high-fat diet or being overweight or obese can increase mens testosterone levels, which in turn increases the risk of developing prostate and testicular health conditions.
- Ethnicity â African American men have a higher risk than men of other ethnicities of developing prostate disorders, and Caucasian males are most likely to develop testicular disorders.
- Family history â If a mans father or brother has suffered from a prostate or testicular disorder, he has a particularly high risk of developing the same condition.
- Testosterone levels â Men on testosterone therapy or who have naturally high levels of testosterone are more likely to develop prostate and testicular disorders.
- Other factors such as whether or not a man smokes, has contracted HIV or has undescended testicles contribute to his risk for developing testicular problems.
Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression
Prostate cancer is metastatic if it has spread to:
For example, if prostate cancer has spread to the pelvic bones, you may feel lower back or pelvic pain.
When cancer cells spread to the spine, they can apply pressure on the spinal cord . This is calledRadical prostatectomy and radiation therapy are generally used to treat localized prostate cancer. However, for patients that eventually develop locally advanced or metastatic cancer, hormone or radiation therapy may be required.
Hormone therapy is used to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells.
More than 85% of men who receive hormone therapy develop metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer within 3 years of hormone treatment. This is caused by prostate cancer cells adapting to low androgen levels.
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Whats The Outlook For People With Back Pain And Cancer
Less than 10 percent of spinal tumors actually start in the spine, according to the Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Even if a spinal tumor is present and causing lower back pain, the tumor isnt always cancerous.
If the lower back pain is related to metastatic cancer, its important to talk to your doctor about your treatment outlook. When cancers start to spread, this may indicate a poorer prognosis.
When To Contact A Medical Professional
- Less urine than usual
- Back, side, or abdominal pain
- Blood or pus in your urine
Also call if:
- Your bladder does not feel completely empty after you urinate.
- You take medicines that may cause urinary problems, such as diuretics, antihistamines, antidepressants, or sedatives. DO NOT stop or change your medicines without talking to your provider.
- You have tried self-care steps for 2 months and symptoms have not improved.
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An enlarged prostate can also be the cause of other problems. If the enlarged prostate is causing symptoms, the best treatment would be a natural remedy. In the meantime, there are treatments for a wide range of conditions that cause a man to experience pain. A common surgical procedure involves an electric loop, laser, or electro-stimulation. The procedure is a safe and effective option for treating enlarged or symptomatic BPH.
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Another type of prostate issue is chronic prostatitis, or chronic pelvic pain syndrome. This condition causes pain in the lower back and groin area, and may cause urinary retention. Symptoms include leaking and discomfort. In severe cases, a catheter may be required to relieve the symptoms. If the problem is unresponsive to other treatments, your doctor may suggest a surgical procedure. If these do not work, your symptoms could progress and become chronic.
An acute bacterial infection can cause a burning sensation. Inflammation of the prostate can affect the bladder and result in discomfort and other symptoms. This is the most common urinary tract problem in men under 50, and the third most common in men over 65. The symptoms of acute bacterial prostatitis are similar to those of CPPS. Patients may experience a fever or chills as a result of the infection.
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What Should I Do If I Have Pain
Let your doctor or nurse know about any pain you have as soon as possible. The earlier you ask for help, the easier it will be to get your pain under control. With the right treatment and management, your doctor and nurse should be able to help you control your pain.
Dont think that you are complaining too much or that you should put up with pain. You shouldnt have to accept pain as a normal part of having cancer. Pain will affect your daily life if it isnt properly controlled.
As well as treatments, there are things you can do yourself that might help with your pain.
What questions might my doctor or nurse ask about my pain?
Your doctor or nurse will ask you questions about your pain to try to get as much information about it as possible. This will help them work out the best treatment for you. They might ask you the following questions.
- Where is your pain?
- What does it feel like? For example, is it a stabbing pain, or a dull ache?
- When did the pain start? How often do you get it? How long does it last?
- Does it wake you at night?
- Does anything help?
- Have you tried any pain-relieving medicines? Did they help?
- Does anything make it worse?
- How does your pain make you feel? For example, do you feel anxious or depressed? Does this affect the pain?
- How does the pain affect your daily life?
