Different Kinds of Advanced Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second leading cancer among men, second only to skin cancer, with 1 out of 8 men diagnosed at some point in their lifetime.*† The majority of prostate cancer is localized, meaning within or near the prostate, and may be curable. Advanced prostate cancer, however, is not curable and requires ongoing treatment.

Advanced prostate cancer can be non-metastatic (has not spread outside of the prostate) or metastatic (has spread outside of the prostate). Both non-metastatic and metastatic prostate cancer can also be either castration-sensitive (responds to surgery or hormone therapy to lower testosterone) or castration-resistant (does not respond to surgery or hormone therapy to lower testosterone).

It is crucial to maintain regular follow-ups with your doctor, consistently have your PSA level monitored, and be aware of your individual risk factors. Having an open line of communication with your doctor will help you better understand how your current treatment is working so together, you can determine the path forward to manage your prostate cancer.

Localized Prostate Cancer

8 out of 10 men diagnosed with prostate cancer have curable disease.†

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*Sourced from: Cancer facts for men. American Cancer Society. Updated October 31, 2023. Accessed December 25, 2023.

†Data from the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) Program of the National Cancer Institute, December 2023.

Advanced Prostate Cancer

A small percentage (5%) of men have advanced prostate cancer, which may require ongoing treatment. Advanced prostate cancer is comprised of four types:

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  • NON-METASTATIC

  • nmCSPC cancer returns after having surgery and/or radiation

    Non-metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer that has returned after prostate removal surgery and/or radiation therapy

    Non-metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer
  • nmCRPC

    Non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

    Non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

  • METASTATIC

  • mCSPC

    Metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer

    Metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer
  • mCRPC

    Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

    Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

The cancer has not spread to other parts of the body beyond the prostate area

Advanced prostate cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body is known as non-metastatic. There are two types of non-metastatic prostate cancer:

  • Prostate cancer that has not spread, but returns after radiation and/or prostate removal surgery and responds to hormone therapy or surgical treatment to lower testosterone. This is nmCSPC (non-metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer). Some men may have rapidly rising PSA over time, which could lead to a higher risk of cancer spreading to other parts of the body

  • Download this brochure to learn more about this type of advanced prostate cancer

  • Prostate cancer that has not spread, but is not responding to hormone therapy or surgical treatment to lower testosterone. This is nmCRPC (non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer)

If you have non-metastatic prostate cancer, it’s not too early to discuss treatment options with your doctor.

Your risk of your cancer spreading may be determined by how quickly your prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is rising (PSA doubling in less than one year is a sign that the cancer may have a high risk of spreading) and other factors like your Gleason score.

Click here for a list of questions to help guide discussions with your doctor

Advanced prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body is known as metastatic. There are two types of metastatic prostate cancer:

  • Prostate cancer that responds to hormone therapy or surgical treatment to lower testosterone. This is mCSPC (metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer)

  • Prostate cancer that does not respond to hormone therapy or surgical treatment to lower testosterone. This is mCRPC (metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer)

If you have metastatic prostate cancer, work with your doctor to find a treatment option.

Continue with monitoring and imaging scans and discuss your situation with your doctor.

Potential parts of the body where the cancer may spread beyond the prostate area (lungs, liver, bladder, lymph nodes, bones)
Click here for a list of questions to help guide discussions with your doctor