People with breast or prostate cancer who undergo treatments that block specific hormones may be at higher risk of thinning bones. Also, certain chemotherapy drugs used to treat these or other cancers may induce ovarian failure in younger women, causing bones to thin as a result of early menopause and estrogen deprivation.
Is osteoporosis dangerous for men with prostate cancer?
For men coping with prostate cancer, weak bones may not seem very important. But weak bones can cause problems because they break easily, and broken bones often initiate a downward health spiral. But it is never too late to improve your bone health: osteoporosis can be treated and prevented.
Are You at risk for bone loss due to cancer?
Patients with breast or prostate cancer also are at risk for bone loss because they’re often treated with drugs that affect hormones. Survivors of childhood cancers may have the highest risk for bone health issues, Thosani says.
What are the risks of hormone deprivation therapy for prostate cancer?
Studies show that men who receive hormone deprivation therapy for prostate cancer have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis and broken bones. Hormones such as testosterone protect against bone loss. So, once these hormones are blocked, bone becomes less dense and can break more easily.
Is there a cure for prostate cancer with bone metastases?
There’s currently no cure for advanced prostate cancer with bone metastases. Treatment options for your condition will vary depending on your: Your doctors will work with you to determine the best treatment option for your prostate cancer and bone metastases. Treatments may be systemic (affecting the whole body) or local (focused in the bone).
Does cancer treatment affect your bones?
Exposure to chemotherapy and radiation leads to bone loss and increases the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
Does prostate cancer weaken bones?
When prostate cancer spreads, the bones are typically the first area affected. Bone metastases can weaken your bones and lead to symptoms like bone pain. There's no cure for metastatic bone cancer, but treatment options may help alleviate symptoms to keep you comfortable.
What is the most common complication from prostate cancer treatment?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the most common complication associated with all of the treatments for prostate cancer and has been reported in 10%–90% of patients after radical prostatectomy.
How does prostate cancer cause osteoporosis?
Prostate cancer itself is associated with lower bone density and increased fractures. This is compounded by the use of androgen deprivation therapy, which causes dramatic falls in circulating testosterone and estrogen, resulting in rapid falls in bone density, decreased muscle mass, and increased fracture rates.
Why would males undergoing treatment for prostate cancer be at risk of osteoporosis?
Hormone deprivation therapy is also called androgen deprivation therapy because it deprives cancer cells of the male hormones (called androgens) that the cancer needs to grow. Hormones such as testosterone protect against bone loss. So, once these hormones are blocked, bone becomes less dense and can break more easily.
What is the life expectancy when prostate cancer spreads to bones?
Most patients, nearly 73 percent, had bone metastases, and their overall median survival was just over 21 months. Men with lymph involvement only were the smallest subset -- 6.4 percent -- but had the longest median survival at about 32 months.
What is the downside of having your prostate removed?
Side effects of prostate surgery. The major possible side effects of radical prostatectomy are urinary incontinence (being unable to control urine) and erectile dysfunction (impotence; problems getting or keeping erections). These side effects can also occur with other forms of prostate cancer treatment.
Can you get an erection without a prostate?
About 75% of men who undergo nerve-sparing prostatectomy or more precise forms of radiation therapy have reported successfully achieving erections after using these drugs.
Why you should not have your prostate removed?
Radical prostatectomy risks Urinary tract infection. Urinary incontinence. Erectile dysfunction (impotence) Narrowing of the urethra or bladder neck.
Can cancer cause low bone density?
Cancer is a major risk for both generalized and local bone loss, with bone loss as assessed by bone mineral density (BMD) testing substantially higher in cancer patients than in the general population, independent of cancer type.
Does Lupron weaken bones?
A 2003 study in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that some kids on drugs like Lupron developed osteopenia and lost too much bone density during a three-year course of treatment to justify the therapy. In other words, the lifetime risk of breaking a bone outweighed the reward of growing a bit taller.
What are the last stages of prostate cancer?
Signs and symptoms of stage 4 prostate cancer may include:Painful urination.Decreased force in the stream of urine.Blood in the semen.Bone pain.Swelling in the legs.Fatigue.
How to reduce bone tumors?
If there are only a few bone tumors, radiation may be used to destroy cancer cells and reduce pain. Radiopharmaceuticals. If the cancer has metastasized to multiple bone sites, these radioactive medications can be given by injection to destroy cancer cells. This helps reduce tumor size and pain.
What happens when you biopsy prostate?
During the biopsy to diagnose prostate cancer, the cells are closely examined. The more abnormal cells that are in the biopsy sample, the higher the Gleason score and grade group. When more abnormal cells are present, the cancer is more likely to spread quickly.
How to tell if you have cancer?
Other signs and symptoms include: 1 Bone fractures or broken bones. Bone metastases can weaken the bones, increasing your risk of fractures or bone breaks. These commonly occur in the ribs, vertebrae, and legs. 2 Spinal cord compression. This happens when the cancer presses on the spine. It may lead to symptoms like loss of balance or tingling or weakness in your limbs. 3 Hypercalcemia. Also known as high blood calcium levels, this occurs when too much calcium escapes the bones and enters the blood stream. It may lead to symptoms like constipation, frequent urination, loss of appetite, and extreme thirst.
What is bone metastasis?
The tumors that start growing in the bones are called bone metastases (or bone mets for short). This is different from primary bone cancer, where the cancer starts in the bones. With prostate cancer, the areas most likely to be affected by bone metastases are your: spine. hips.
What type of cancer is most likely to spread to bones?
Prostate cancer that has spread to bones. Any type of cancer has the potential to spread to your bones. The types that are most likely to metastasize to the bones are: breast cancer. lung cancer. prostate cancer. When cancer starts in one place then spreads to bones, it’s called metastatic bone cancer. The tumors that start growing in the bones are ...
How many stages of prostate cancer are there?
There are four main stages of prostate cancer, and stage 4 often involves bone metastases. Bone metastases occur in more than 60 percent of those with advanced prostate cancer. Although prostate cancer that spreads to the bones can’t be cured, you can take steps to strengthen weakened bones and manage symptoms like bone pain.
Why does my prostate hurt?
Pain is caused by changes to the structure of the bones and inflammation from cancer cells. It may feel like a sharp pain or dull ache. It can be localized to one area or affect your whole body.
How to prevent bone loss?
Regular exercise, such as walking, may help prevent bone loss and provide many other health benefits, such as reducing pain, relieving stress, and making cancer treatment easier to handle. Healthy lifestyle. Smoking is toxic to bones as well as the heart and lungs.
Why is it important to take hormone deprivation for prostate cancer?
Studies show that men who receive hormone deprivation therapy for prostate cancer have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis and broken bones. Hormone deprivation therapy is also called androgen deprivation therapy because it deprives cancer cells of the male hormones (called androgens) that the cancer needs to grow.
Why is osteoporosis a silent disease?
Osteoporosis is a silent disease because it can weaken bones over the years without causing symptoms. For men coping with prostate cancer, weak bones may not seem very important. But weak bones can cause problems because they break easily, and broken bones often initiate a downward health spiral.
What are the best ways to reduce osteoporosis risk?
Nutrition. A well-balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D is important for bone health.
What is the condition where bones become weaker, less dense, and more likely to break?
Facts about osteoporosis . Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become weaker, less dense, and more likely to break. Many people – even some doctors – think of osteoporosis as a women’s disease, but millions of men develop it, too.
What is the best test for bone health?
A bone mineral density (BMD) test is the best way to determine your bone health. BMD tests can identify osteoporosis, determine your risk for fractures (broken bones), and measure your response to osteoporosis treatment. The most widely recognized BMD test is called a central dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) test.
Is prostate cancer a serious disease?
The cancer usually grows very slowly, however, and most men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer live for many years. Still, prostate cancer can be serious and, in some cases, life threatening.
What happens if you have cancer in your bones?
After the cancer cells spread to the bones, you may experience: bone pain. weak bones, increasing your risk for fractures. spinal cord compression and related weakness or numbness. high blood calcium levels. stiffness or pain in the hip, thighs, or back. These symptoms can cause severe discomfort and disability.
What are the side effects of bone metastases?
They can include: fever. nausea. vomiting. anemia. hot flashes. erectile dysfunction or decreased interest in sex.
Why is prostate cancer still classified as prostate cancer?
This new growth is still classified as prostate cancer because the cancer first developed in the prostate. You may notice new or different symptoms once you have bone metastases. Having bone metastases will change your treatment options, prognosis, and outlook.
How does prostate cancer spread?
It can be by direct invasion or by traveling through your blood or lymphatic system. Metastatic prostate cancer is considered advanced prostate cancer. Once relocated, the cells begin to grow ...
What is the best treatment for a bone fracture?
Symptoms like nausea, hot flashes, and pain can usually be relieved with medication. Some people find that complimentary treatments like acupuncture or massage help manage side effects. Your doctor may also recommend orthopedic surgery to stabilize your bones, relieve pain, and help prevent bone fractures.
What happens if you have high calcium levels?
Higher levels of calcium in the blood can occur as cancer replaces normal bone. This can trigger: vomiting. dehydration. confusion. abdominal discomfort. Talk to your doctor if you have any of the above symptoms. Early treatment can help slow the cancer’s progression in your bones and improve your life expectancy.
Is prostate cancer accurate?
Occurrence and mortality of prostate cancer in the United States. Statistics about the long-term outlook for advanced prostate cancer may not be entirely accurate. The numbers available today don’t reflect the newer treatment options.
What is bone loss?
Bone loss in a loss in bone density that can cause bones to be weaker or break more easily. This is usually diagnosed with a Dexa scan or bone density scan, since there are usually no symptoms of bone loss. All men are at risk for fractures as they age, but this risk is compounded when living with a prostate cancer diagnosis.
What causes bone loss?
Many men experience bone related problems as a result of prostate cancer or its treatment. In advanced prostate cancer, the most common site of metastases (spread outside the prostate) is to the bone, potentially weakening the bone and causing pain.
How can I avoid bone loss?
Men who have advanced prostate cancer or are starting hormone therapy should talk to their doctor about how to plan for and manage bone loss. Your doctor should work with you to proactively keep an eye on your bone health. Sometimes hormone therapies are paired with medicines that work to stop the breakdown of bone and help build bone back up.
Where can I learn more about bone loss?
We have resources on maintaining bone health during prostate cancer, including our brochure Prostate Cancer and Bone Health.
Why is radiation important for bone health?
That’s why screening and follow-up care are important for maintaining healthy bones. Radiation can also cause growth-hormone deficiency and delayed bone growth . This can increase the risk of fractures later in life, especially for younger patients. If you’ve had a hematopoietic stem cell transplant, you may also be at higher risk of bone loss.
Why do women have the highest risk of bone loss?
In general, women are at the highest risk, regardless of whether they’ve had cancer. That’s because bone loss usually happens after menopause. Patients with breast or prostate cancer also are at risk for bone loss because they’re often treated with drugs that affect hormones.
What are the risks of childhood cancer?
Survivors of childhood cancers may have the highest risk for bone health issues, Thosani says. “Children treated for cancer often have limited physical activity, and they’re exposed to certain types of chemotherapy and radiation therapy that interfere with bone development,” she adds.
What is bone density scan?
Bone density scans are a good way to determine if you’re experiencing bone loss before, during or after cancer treatment. Talk to your doctor about whether this screening is right for you.
Why do bones become thin?
Because of this, your bones may become thin and full of tiny holes, making fractures more common. While bone loss is a part of aging for many people, certain types of cancer and cancer treatments may ...
How to prevent falls from osteoporosis?
Moderate exercise may also stimulate cells that help grow bones and build muscle, which can help prevent falls. Falls are often the cause of osteoporosis-related bone fractures. To prevent falls, make sure the floor around you is clear of rugs, magazines, papers or other things that could trip you up.
Can hematopoietic stem cell transplants cause bone loss?
If you’ve had a hematopoietic stem cell transplant, you may also be at higher risk of bone loss. “We don’t know if the transplant itself causes bone loss, but we know the treatments patients receive during transplant increase the risk of bone loss,” Thosani says.
