Prostate Cancer, Advanced or Metastatic

When To Call a Doctor

Call your doctor immediately if you:

• Are completely unable to urinate.
• Have painful urination and a fever higher than 100°F (37.78°C), chills, or body aches.
• Have blood or pus in your urine or semen.

Call your doctor to schedule an appointment if you have unexplained:

• Weight loss.
• Dull, aching pain in your lower back, pelvis, or hips.
• Swollen lymph nodes.

Watchful Waiting

Watchful waiting means that you and your doctor will watch your cancer to see if your symptoms go away on their own or get worse, but you are not receiving treatment. This step may not be a choice when prostate cancer has spread. However, some men who have metastatic prostate cancer may choose watchful waiting if their PSA levels are rising slowly.

Who To See

Doctors who can treat locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer include:

• Urologists.
• Radiation oncologists.
• Medical oncologists.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment

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Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW	Last Updated: July 24, 2006
Medical Review:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology/Oncology
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