Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs to kill the prostate cancer cells, wherever they are in the body. The drugs circulate throughout the body in the bloodstream and can kill any rapidly growing cells, including both cancerous and non-cancerous ones. Often, it is not the primary therapy for prostate cancer patients, but may be used when prostate cancer has spread outside of the prostate gland. Chemotherapy won’t get rid of your prostate cancer, but aims to shrink it and slow down its growth. This helps some men to live longer, and can help to control or delay symptoms such as pain.

Advantages
• Chemotherapy might shrink the cancer or slow down its growth. This may help some men live longer
• It can help to control or delay symptoms such as pain, which can improve how you feel in your day-to-day life
• Most men are able to leave hospital on the day of their treatment – there’s usually no need to stay overnight
• You may have more regular check-ups, tests and support from your medical team than usual, which some men find reassuring.

Disadvantages
• You will have hospital appointments every few weeks. This can go on for a few months
• Chemotherapy affects each man differently, and it may not work so well for everyone
• It can cause side effects which can be difficult to deal with
• Side affects including fatigue, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, taste changes
• Decrease in blood cell counts that result in an increased risk of infections.
• You may also get side effects from the steroids you take with the chemotherapy.