What negatively affects life expectancy from prostate cancer?
The factors explained in the upper section can also have a negative influence on life expectancy, depending on their characteristics. Regarding the TNM classification, higher values have a rather negative influence on life expectancy.T3 or T4 are less favourable than T1 or T2 in terms of tumour spread. If the lymph nodes are already affected (N1) or if metastases (M1) already exist, this has an unfavorable influence on the prognosis and life expectancy.
If the Gleason score is high, this has a rather negative influence on the prognosis. This means that the prostate cells show frequent and severe changes under the microscope. If, after surgical removal of the prostate cancer, residues of tumor cells (R1) remain at the resection margins, this has a more negative influence on the prognosis than a completely removed tumor (R0).
Apart from the stage of the prostate cancer, the general state of health plays a role in the course of the disease. According to the Charlson Score, the effects of concomitant diseases on the prognosis can be determined. The points assigned to the various diseases are added together.
AIDS and a metastasizing solid tumor are the most significant. Although the number and severity of additional diseases and the patient’s age in principle have a negative effect on life expectancy, it is not possible to make any precise temporal prognoses. In general, these factors are more likely to have an influence on therapy planning.
For example, a high age can speak against a surgical intervention. This differs from patient to patient and the expertise of several doctors is used to make therapy decisions. Of course, the patient can also refuse treatment or opt for a palliative concept.
This can shorten the survival time. It should also be noted that an unhealthy lifestyle (little physical activity, unbalanced plant-poor diet, alcohol abuse, etc.) does not contribute to improvement even in the case of prostate cancer.
The influence of the psyche on the course of the disease should also not be underestimated, even if scientific data on this is difficult to collect. However, if you are convinced that you will die soon, no treatment measures will help you in the long run. Psychological or spiritual support can solve negative thought patterns and thus contribute to improvement.
