Is prostate cancer dangerous? How long can one live?

Prostate cancer is very harmful, and whether one can survive for a long time depends mainly on how early it is discovered and how well it is treated. With standardized treatment, the 5-year survival rate of patients with early-stage prostate cancer can be as high as 99%, but in the late stage, the survival time may be shortened due to the spread of cancer cells. Active screening and treatment are the key to prolonging the life of patients.

1 Analysis of the hazards of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a disease that threatens the health of middle-aged and elderly men, and the degree of harm is closely related to the stage of the disease. Early prostate cancer is often "mild" and may have no symptoms at all, but as cancer cells gradually invade nearby tissues or metastasize to distant sites, lower urinary tract symptoms such as frequent urination, dysuria, pelvic pain, and even severe bone pain after bone metastasis will appear. Advanced patients may also be in danger of life due to infection, kidney damage, or systemic failure caused by the tumor. Early detection and intervention can greatly reduce the harm, but it is more difficult to control in the late stage.

2 Factors affecting prostate cancer survival time

① Staging and time of discovery: Early prostate cancer is usually confined to the prostate and has a higher survival rate after treatment; patients with late-stage prostate cancer and metastasis generally have an increased risk of death within 5 years.

② Treatment options: For localized prostate cancer, radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy, or combined with endocrine therapy, can be effective. Patients with bone metastasis can choose analgesics and bone protective drugs such as bisphosphonates to slow down the rate of deterioration.

③Individual health status: The prognosis of patients with chronic diseases, malnutrition or poor surgical tolerance will also be compromised.

3 Treatment and improvement strategies for prostate cancer

For patients who have been diagnosed, personalized treatment plans can be developed according to the stage.

——Limited stage treatment: Radical prostatectomy is the standard option; radiotherapy can be used instead for elderly patients or those with other diseases.

——Treatment in the advanced stage: Endocrine therapy such as androgen-suppressing drugs and new targeted therapy can control tumor expansion.

- Metastatic stage: Chemotherapy combined with targeted drugs or radiotherapy can improve survival, while combined with bone protection therapy such as bisphosphonates to reduce the risk of bone lesions. In addition, regular follow-up and psychological support can also help improve the quality of life of patients.

Early screening and standardized treatment are important means of survival. It is recommended to pay attention to physical examinations such as annual PSA testing. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, you should develop a plan with your doctor and maintain good living habits. Even if prostate cancer is diagnosed in the late stage, you can still prolong your life and improve your quality of life through standardized treatment and disease management.