Arm Yourself with Information
During the course of the illness, prostate cancer may progress. It may become castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), which is prostate cancer that has become resistant to medical or surgical treatments that lower testosterone. CRPC that spreads to other parts of the body is called metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
The Role of Androgen in mCRPC
The male body produces male hormones called androgens. Research has shown that androgens help feed the tumor. Androgens, such as testosterone, are primarily made by your testes and your adrenal glands. However, in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer androgen is also made by an additional source — the tumor itself.
Research has shown that androgens help feed the tumor. Reducing the production of androgen is key to helping you and your doctor manage your illness because even a small amount of androgen may activate the tumor.
Treatment Options
Many therapies are used to treat prostate cancer at its different stages. Not all treatments are appropriate for all patients at all stages of their disease. You may be familiar with certain treatment options, including:
