I'm concerned about prostate cancer metastasis. Where can prostate cancer spread?

Answer From Karthik Giridhar, M.D.

In theory, prostate cancer cells can spread anywhere in the body. In practice, though, prostate cancer metastasis occurs most often in the lymph nodes and the bones.

Prostate cancer metastasis occurs when cells break away from the tumor in the prostate. The cancer cells can travel through the lymphatic system or the bloodstream to other areas of the body.

More commonly prostate cancer metastasis can occur in the:

  • Bones
  • Lymph nodes
  • Lungs
  • Liver

Rare locations of prostate cancer metastasis include:

  • Adrenal glands
  • Brain
  • Breasts
  • Eyes
  • Kidneys
  • Muscles
  • Pancreas
  • Salivary glands
  • Spleen

If you've been diagnosed with prostate cancer and you're concerned about prostate cancer metastasis, talk with your doctor about your risk of prostate cancer metastasis and your treatment options.

With

Karthik Giridhar, M.D.

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Feb. 18, 2023 See more Expert Answers

See also

  1. Ablation therapy
  2. Active surveillance for prostate cancer
  3. Biopsy procedures
  4. Blood in semen
  5. Blood in urine (hematuria)
  6. Bone scan
  7. Brachytherapy
  8. Cancer blood tests
  9. Cancer survivorship program
  10. Chemo targets
  11. Chemotherapy
  12. Chemotherapy and hair loss: What to expect during treatment
  13. Chemotherapy and sex: Is sexual activity OK during treatment?
  14. Chemotherapy nausea and vomiting: Prevention is best defense
  15. Choline C-11 PET scan
  16. Cryoablation for cancer
  17. CT scan
  18. Digital rectal exam
  19. External beam radiation for prostate cancer
  20. Frequent sex: Does it protect against prostate cancer?
  21. Leg swelling
  22. Magic mouthwash
  23. MRI
  24. PALS (Pets Are Loving Support)
  25. Pelvic pain
  26. Prostate artery embolization
  27. Prostate biopsy
  28. Prostate Cancer
  29. Prostate cancer
  30. Prostate cancer: Does PSA level affect prognosis?
  31. What is prostate cancer? A Mayo Clinic expert explains
  32. Prostate cancer prevention
  33. Prostate cancer FAQs
  34. Prostate cancer screening
  35. Prostatectomy
  36. Proton beam therapy
  37. Proton therapy
  38. PSA test
  39. PSA: To Test or Not To Test
  40. Radiation therapy
  41. Seeing inside the heart with MRI
  42. Symptom Checker
  43. Ultrasound
  44. Ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy
  45. MRI
  46. Orchestrating Care (and robotic surgery) for Prostate Cancer - Mayo Clinic