It’s terrifying when one learns their prostate cancer is now in their bones.
It’ll make them wonder if a liver or lung metastasis will soon follow.
A prostate cancer spread into the bones is NEVER an “Oh, it’s only in the bones” situation.
It’s not so much what the cancer can do to the bones, as much as what an invasion into the bones means.
“When prostate cancer spreads to the bone, this constitutes a stage IV diagnosis,” begins Jonathan Stegall, MD, an integrative oncologist and medical director for The Center for Advanced Medicine adult cancer treatment center.
“According to research, the five-year survival for prostate cancer patients with bone metastases is between 30-35%.
“This means that roughly one-third of men diagnosed with prostate cancer bone metastases will be alive five years after the diagnosis.”
So yes, it certainly spells doom. That percentage is quite bleak.
In fact, once bone mets occur, the disease is deemed incurable – though it is still treatable.
Bone is actually the first location that prostate cancer usually spreads to.
Furthermore, of that roughly one-third who’ll be alive five years out from diagnosis of bone invasion, many will die between six and eight years out.
- The American Cancer Society says the 10-year survival rate is generally estimated to be less than 10-20%.
- Survival beyond 10 years once prostate cancer infiltrates the bones is uncommon.
The reason the survival rate is grim once this disease has invaded the bones is because once a cancer sets up real estate in a bone, this means it will invariably make its way to a vital organ such as the lungs or brain.
Drugs can shrink these tumors, but ultimately, the tumors will become resistant and win the war.
In the meantime, bone mets can cause pain and other problems.
“The biggest issues with bone metastases are bone strength and thus fracture risk,” says Dr. Stegall.
“Managing these with appropriate medications and lifestyle interventions is critically important to reduce morbidity and mortality.”
An example of lifestyle intervention would be to avoid as much as possible any situation that can cause a slip-and-fall.
So even though the patient may be stabilized, feel good and have no difficulty with brisk walking, he should still hold onto a railing when going up and down stairs – anything to minimize even a low risk of stumbling.
Jonathan Stegall, MD, provides a long-awaited remedy for our cancer problem. Having a successful integrative oncology practice in Atlanta, GA, he’s seen firsthand what works and what doesn’t with cancer treatment. Dr. Stegall is the creator of the Cancer Secrets Podcast and author of “Cancer Secrets,” available on Amazon.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
