Key Takeaways
Former President Joe Biden , 82 , has been diagnose with an belligerent mannikin of advancedprostate malignant neoplastic disease that has distribute to his bonesand may be treatable , but not curable , several doctor say .
[ 1 ]
Several malignant neoplastic disease specialists not involved in Biden ’s care say that fast-growing , advancedprostate cancerthat has propagate to the bones — like the character Biden has — ca n’t be cured .
“ While it is treatable , it is not curable , ” saysBilal Siddiqui , MD , an oncologist and a prostate Cancer the Crab researcher at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston .
Because modern Cancer like the type Biden has are n’t curable , the main goal of treatment is to stall tumour growth , which can purchase patient more time , saysTudor Borza , MD , an adjunct prof of urogenital medicine at the University of Michigan and the music director of the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative ( MUSIC ) Prostate Program in Ann Arbor .
Here ’s what else to know about the character of prostate gland cancer Biden has .
What Is a Prostate Cancer Gleason Score?
[ 2 ]
Lower score bespeak neoplasm are n’t bear to spread far or fast , and doctors do n’t be given to intervene when patients have score of 5 or less , saysDouglas Dow , MD , a urological sawbones at Memorial Hermann Medical Group in Webster , Texas .
“ A 9 out of 10 means it ’s highly fast-growing , ” Dr. Dow says .
What’s Metastasis to the Bone?
[ 3 ]
prostate gland cancer stages range from 1 , when tumors are so small they may be indiscernible with a physical exam or an sonography , to stage 4 , when there is tumor emergence outside the prostate , consort to ACS .
When prostate gland cancer has circulate into the bones it ’s consider phase 4 , the most advanced stage , says Dr. Borza . “ In general , stage 4 cancers are not look at curable . ”
What Treatments Are Possible?
The statement reported by CNN pronounce that Biden ’s type of cancer “ is likely hormone - tender , which allows for in effect direction . ”
prostate gland Cancer the Crab is fuel by the male sex hormonetestosterone , and all case of prostate cancer start out as “ endocrine - sensitive , ” mean they can betreatedwithandrogen deprivationthat lowers testosterone stage , says Dr. Siddiqui .
“ prostate gland cancer feeds on testosterone , so if we remove the testosterone from the body — either what we call a chemic castration with dig of medicine and tablet , or a surgical emasculation by move out the testicle — we transfer the food for thought for the cancer , ” Dow suppose . “ That means the Cancer the Crab is hormone sensitive because you remove the hormones from the body . ”
But at some point , even when testosterone is removed from the body , the Cancer the Crab will still originate , Dow says .
patient may also take in chemotherapy or radiation , Siddiqui says .
What’s the Prognosis for Advanced Prostate Cancer?
“ The average life expectancy for metastatic prostate gland cancer is three to five year , ” Siddiqui says . “ But this can be brusque or foresighted , free-base on factor such as age , specific features of the cancer , and medical chronicle . ”
Is Prostate Cancer Preventable?
“ Unfortunately there is no behavior that is proven definitively to prevent prostate genus Cancer , ” Dow says . “ The biggest risk factor for prostate gland cancer is a known category chronicle of prostate gland cancer , but the key to prostate gland cancer handling is early detective work . ”
Detection is typically done with a compounding of what ’s love as aprostate specific antigen ( PSA ) blood testand a rectal exam , Dow say .
PSA screening is n’t recommend for human race over 70 , Siddiqui say . “ This is because in many men , prostate genus Cancer will be ho-hum acquire , and the harms of discussion may outweigh the benefit . ”
How Common Is Advanced Prostate Cancer?
prostate gland Crab is the most common cancer in American adult male , with about 1 in 8 men diagnosed in their lifetime , Borza state . Most case are caught at less - advanced stages , but about 5 to 7 per centum of men have metastatic cancer when they ’re diagnosed , Borza adds .
It ’s uncommon for men to have aggressive prostate cancer that has spread to the bones at the time of diagnosing if they ’re get routine PSA screening , saysDaniel Spratt , MD , the associate chief scientific military officer at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and a prof and the chair of radiotherapy oncology at Case Western Reserve University .
“ PSA screening could escape this , but that ’s uncommon , ” Dr. Spratt say .
But many men Biden ’s age no longer get quotidian viewing , Spratt add up . “ It is more vulgar that his PSA was not being routinely ascertain given his age or overall wellness status . ”
prostate gland Cancer
Understanding Prostate Cancer Survival Rates
10 Myths About Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer With Bone Metastases: Answers to Your Questions
Treatment Options for Stage 4 Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer Symptoms, Stages, Diagnosis, Treatment, and More
New Oral Treatment for Metastatic Prostate Cancer Can Help Prolong Life
15-Year Study Finds It’s Safe to Delay Treatment for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer
20 Famous Men Who Have Had Prostate Cancer
Treatment for Nonmetastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
NBC ‘Today’ Show Cohost Al Roker Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer
