Central Nervous System & its Connection to Prostate Cancer

Each year, it is estimated that nearly 30 percent of all men, over age 50, are at risk for developing prostate cancer. For many men, this risk comes to fruition with the diagnosis of prostate cancer with nearly three percent suffering an early death because of this malignancy.

Prostate cancer, even when a man is in treatment, often results in secondary health complications. For many men, the complication comes as an asymptomatic development of a central nervous system disorder, CNS.

What type of central nervous system disorders can be related to prostate cancer? For men who experience advanced states of prostate disease, the bones may begin to experience metastasis, resulting in back pain associated with spinal cord compression. When suffering from prostate cancer, many men do not realize the sudden weakness, dysfunction and localized pain in their backs is associated with the prostate cancer.

In additional to spinal cord compression, men who suffer from malignancy of the prostate also experience complications involving metastasis of the brain. While there may be no symptoms readily apparent to this central nervous system complication, some men who suffer from advanced prostate cancer may find they are experiences an increase in headache pain, a change in psychological or cognitive functioning and even a change in the senses, i.e. taste, smell, vision, sense of touch and hearing.

If you are a man who is currently treating for any form of prostate cancer, it is important to discuss these complications with your healthcare professional. For many men, the complications of the central nervous system, secondary to prostate cancer, may be asymptomatic for many months until the complication becomes quite apparent. Speaking with your doctor, in advance, may work to alleviate or slow the progression of these complications.