Learn about Metastatic Prostate Cancer

If prostate cancer spreads beyond the prostate, it is called “metastatic.” This means it is found growing in nearby organs or tissues. It can be hard to treat. Advanced prostate cancer like this can be life threatening if it spreads to other parts of the body.

What is Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC)?

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is a form of advanced prostate cancer. With CRPC, the cancer no longer fully responds to treatments that lower testosterone. It shows signs of growth, like a rising PSA (prostate-specific antigen), even with low levels of testosterone.

With Metastatic CRPC (mCRPC), the cancer stops responding to hormone treatment, and it is found in other parts of the body. It can spread to nearby lymph nodes, bones, the bladder, rectum, liver, lungs, and maybe the brain.

What is Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer (mHSPC)?

Metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) is when cancer has spread past the prostate into the body, but it can be treated with hormone therapy. This means that male sex hormones, including androgens like testosterone, can be blocked or stopped to slow cancer growth. Un-checked, these male sex hormones “feed” the prostate cancer cells to let them grow. Hormone therapy to stop hormones is also called Androgen Deprivation Therapy, or ADT.

To learn more about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment for these types of metastatic prostate cancer, check out the below two fact sheets. These can be used to help you learn more about mHSPC and mCRPC and talking with your doctor.

Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC) - What You Should Know Fact Sheet

Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer (mHSPC) - What You Should Know Fact Sheet

Patient resources made possible through support of Pfizer Inc