Treatment for metastatic prostate cancer

Treatment for metastatic or advanced prostate cancer can help to reduce symptoms, make you feel better and help you to live longer. Common treatments include chemotherapy and hormone therapy. 

This section is about treatment for prostate cancer that has spread to another part of the body. We have separate information about treatment for cancer that hasn't spread to another part of the body. 

Treatment options for metastatic prostate cancer

Treatment for metastatic prostate cancer can help to reduce symptoms, make you feel better and help you to live longer. Treatment includes hormone therapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. 

Hormone therapy for metastatic prostate cancer

You might have hormone therapy for prostate cancer that has spread to another part of your body. You can have it as an injection, tablets or more rarely surgery. 

Chemotherapy for metastatic prostate cancer

Chemotherapy is a common treatment for metastatic prostate cancer. The most common type is docetaxel. You usually have it in combination with hormone therapy. 

Radiotherapy for metastatic prostate cancer

You might have radiotherapy for prostate cancer that has spread to different parts of the body. Radiotherapy uses high energy waves similar to x-rays to kill prostate cancer cells.

Treating symptoms of metastatic prostate cancer

Symptoms of metastatic prostate cancer include bone pain, problems passing urine and tiredness. Find out about things that can help. 

Surgery to treat problems passing urine (TURP)

Prostate cancer can sometimes press on the tube that carries urine from the bladder. You can have an operation to remove part of the cancer and help you pass urine more easily.

Research into treatment for prostate cancer

Before new treatments can be introduced they need to be tested thoroughly. Find out about the latest research into the treatment of prostate cancer.

Last reviewed: 
20 Jul 2022
Next review due: 
20 Jul 2025