The patient’s and their family members’ physical and mental health suffers after receiving a cancer diagnosis. Additionally, life may be challenging for you if you have an advanced stage diagnosis. But a few years ago, things were different. Modern treatment can significantly enhance the quality of life for people with advanced prostate cancer in the modern era.

What is Advanced Prostate Cancer?

Among older males, it is a common disorder. Prostate cancer was the second most frequent cancer in men in 2020, with over 1.4 million cases reported by World Cancer Research Fund International. If prostate cancer has spread outside of the prostate or recurs after therapy, it is in an advanced stage.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Advanced Prostate Cancer

When prostate cancer is still in its early stages, it is typically challenging to identify any signs and symptoms. Generally, symptoms only appear when cancer has progressed to an advanced stage.

The following are some frequently observed signs of advanced prostate cancer:

• Bladder and Urinary Issues: Includes increased frequency of urination, waking up throughout the night to urinate, blood in the urine, and difficulty passing urine entirely.
• Bowel Issues: Stomach pain, constipation, and blood in stool are typical bowel problems related to prostate cancer.
• Soreness in the groin: This area has a significant number of lymph nodes. Cancer spreads swiftly to the groin lymph nodes and causes pain since it is the area nearest to the prostate.
• Back or hip pain: The most common sites for advanced prostate cancer to spread to are the hip and spine. Once the cancer has migrated to the bones, weakening them leading to pain.
• Unexpected weight loss is a sign of advanced cancer and can happen even when a normal diet is followed.
• Leg Weakness and Swelling: As prostate cancer progresses, it can migrate to the spine and push on nearby nerves, which can result in discomfort, swelling, and tingling in the legs and feet.

 

What are the Risk Factors Associated with Prostate Cancer?

Understanding risk factors aids in lowering cancer risk. There are a number of risk factors for advanced prostate cancer.

The following are a few of them.

• Age: Prostate cancer risk rises with age, especially after 50. Men 65 and older account for about 60% of advanced prostate cancer diagnoses.
• Race: In comparison, those of African descent are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, were the fatality rate is likewise correlated with race.
• Eating Habits & Weight: Obesity and overeating are associated with the majority of malignancies, including advanced prostate cancer. The best way to avoid cancer is to maintain a healthy weight and eat a balanced diet.
• Smoking: The most common risk factors for prostate cancer are tobacco use and smoking. It is the most frequent contributing factor in cases of terminal prostate cancer.
• Family History: Familial prostate cancer is a hereditary cancer form that makes up 20% of all cases of prostate cancer. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Treatment Options Available in Germany for Advanced Prostate Cancer?

Germany offers top-notch patient care and a well established medical infrastructure. In Germany, advanced prostate cancer patients have access to a variety of cutting-edge treatments, including:

• Chemotherapy:

The most popular kind of treatment for both early-stage and advanced prostate cancer is chemotherapy. To destroy cancer cells, chemical substances are used. Docetaxel and cabazitaxel are the most often used chemotherapeutic agents. Despite the fact that chemotherapy cannot treat metastatic prostate cancer, it aids in symptom relief and enhances the patient’s quality of life.

• Radio Therapy:

• Cryosurgery:

Also referred to as cryoablation or cryotherapy, involves freezing prostate tissue in order to destroy cancer cells. The prostate tissue is frozen during surgery using a thin metal probe that is introduced through a tiny incision.

• Prostatectomy:

• Virotherapy:

German hospitals provide virotherapy, a novel form of prostate cancer treatment. Oncotropic viruses, which are safe for people yet kill cancer cells, are introduced in this process. For advanced prostate cancer, virotherapy is a relatively newer type of treatment.

• High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation:

This method kills prostate cancer cells using high-frequency sound waves. It concentrates on specific prostate regions and spares healthy cells.

• Lu-177 PSMA Therapy:

• Targeted Therapy:

Specifically targets the tissues, proteins, and genes associated with cancer that fuel the growth of cancer cells. Advanced prostate cancer that is no longer responsive to hormone therapy (ADT) is typically treated with targeted therapy. Olaparib and rucaparib are two of the medications utilized in this therapy. Patients with BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations benefit from these medications.

• Hormone Therapy:

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), also known as hormonal therapy, lowers testosterone levels by the use of castration surgery or other forms of medical castration. The progression of prostate cancer can be slowed down by reducing male hormone levels.

 

How Much Does Advanced Prostate Cancer Treatment in Germany Cost?

• Lu-PSMA Therapy: USD 8600
• Chemotherapy: USD 1800
• Prostatectomy: USD 20,000
• Radiation Therapy: USD 8000

Top Oncologists in Germany Offering Prostate Cancer Treatment

• Prof. Dr. Med. Robert Krempien: With more than 25 years of expertise, Dr. Robert is a renowned oncologist in Berlin, Germany. He has experience treating both breast and prostate cancer and is renowned for offering patient-centered, individualised radiation therapy.
• Prof. Dr. Med. Claus Belka: Dr. Claus Belka is a famous oncologist in Munich, Germany, with over 28 years of expertise. He currently has around three decades of expertise and is an authority on osteosarcoma, prostate cancer, gynaecological cancer, and breast cancer.
• Dr. Anca-Ligia Grosu: is a renowned radiation oncologist with four decades of experience who practises in Freiburg, Germany. Dr. Grosu offers her expertise in stereotactic radiosurgery, intraoperative radiation therapy, prostate cancer surgery, radiosurgery, and tomography.
• Prof. Dr. Dimos Baltas: is a well-known radio oncologist who practises in Freiburg, Germany. He offers his knowledge in prostate cancer minimally invasive techniques. He has worked in the field of medical radiation physics for more than 38 years and has witnessed the transition from 1D, 2D, 3D, and 4D to 5D radiation planning.

Conclusion