Pulmonary metastases

Pulmonary metastases are the second most common form of metastasis in prostate cancer, accounting for about 10%. The median survival in the presence of lung metastases is 19 months. Pulmonary metastases usually do not have early symptoms and are therefore often detected as chance findings during imaging or during the explicit search for metastases during tumor staging.

If the lung metastases continue to progress and grow, symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing up blood and pneumonia may occur. Individual metastases may be removed surgically. However, this should only be done if the operation is compatible with the patient’s general condition and a significant improvement in quality of life can be expected from the operation.

Liver metastases

After bone metastases, liver metastases are the third most common metastases in prostate cancer, at about 8%. Liver metastases are associated with the worst prognosis of all metastases. In recent studies, men with liver metastases from prostate cancer have a median survival time of 14 months.

Liver metastases are often painless and develop symptoms late. First signs can be weight loss, loss of appetite and weakness. If the metastases are centrally located, the skin may turn yellow (icterus).

Individual liver metastases can be removed surgically. However, this operation should only be performed if there are single metastases and the functionality of the liver can be maintained after the operation. Chemotherapy can lead to a reduction in the size of the metastases.

Finally, local therapy options such as laser treatment or radiofrequency ablation are available. With these options, an attempt is made to locally destroy or reduce the tissue of the metastases. A therapy for liver metastases should only be carried out if the treatment can significantly reduce symptoms or improve the quality of life.

Lymph node metastases

Lymph node metastases are associated with the best prognosis of all metastases in prostate cancer. The median survival time is 32 months. Lymph node metastases do not cause symptoms for a long time. They can lead to lymphedema of the legs or scrotum in later stages. If surgery is planned, affected lymph nodes in the area of the prostate are removed