Stopping prostate cancer progression might be possible

In 10 seconds? A new study shows that a different treatment schedule might prevent prostate cancer from spreading to other parts of the body (a process called metastasization).

What’s the change in treatment? The big change is when men with prostate cancer are given a drug called abiraterone. Currently, only patients whose cancer has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body receive this drug. Men whose cancers haven’t spread beyond the original site yet – that is, with “locally advanced prostate cancer” – are offered surgery, radiotherapy, or hormonal therapy. This study, however, shows that giving abiraterone sooner (to men with locally advanced disease) can reduce the long-term risk of death from the disease by about a half.