Latest Cancer TreatmentsDr. Mohammadreza Dabiri
Dr. Mohammadreza Dabiriفارسی
Questions and answers

Is prostate cancer curable?

The chance of cure by stage, treatment options for localised disease and advances in metastatic disease

Updated: 28 October 20262 min read6 references
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Short answer

Yes; prostate cancer that has stayed in or around the prostate is cured or controlled for years in most cases; in the United States almost all of these patients are alive after 5 years [1]. In a large study, after 15 years only about 3 in 100 men had died of this cancer, whether they had regular monitoring, surgery or radiotherapy [2]. Prostate cancer that has spread, especially when it no longer responds to hormone therapy, usually does not go away completely, but new treatments have helped patients live much longer [3, 4].

The chance of cure by stage

Out of every 10 patients, how many are alive 5 years later? (United States) [1]
StageAbout 25 years agoToday
In or around the prostateAlmost allAlmost all
Spread to distant sites34
All stagesAlmost allAlmost all

Compared with men of the same age without cancer [1].

Treating localised prostate cancer

In a large UK study, 1643 men aged 50 to 69 with localised prostate cancer were randomly assigned to three groups: regular monitoring, surgery or radiotherapy. After 15 years, in all three groups only about 3 in every 100 men had died of this cancer. But in the monitoring group the disease spread more often (almost twice as often), and 1 in 4 men in this group never needed any treatment. So choosing a treatment means weighing the benefits and side effects of each option [2].

Regular monitoring does not mean leaving the disease alone

With regular monitoring (active surveillance), the disease is watched with regular tests and examinations, and treatment starts if it progresses. The European Association of Urology considers this approach suitable for low-risk and some intermediate-risk cancers [5]. In the UK study, disease progression was more common in the monitoring group, but deaths from cancer did not differ significantly [2].

For physiciansSpecialist notes
For physicians

The 2026 European Association of Urology (EAU) guideline recommends multiparametric MRI before biopsy to avoid unnecessary biopsies and considers PSMA PET the most sensitive method for detecting metastases; it suggests hypofractionated radiotherapy in intermediate-risk patients, and for pelvic nodal involvement (cN1) recommends radiotherapy to the primary tumour with intensified long-term hormone therapy [5].

Related questions

Is surgery better than radiotherapy?

After 15 years, surgery and radiotherapy prevented death equally well; the choice depends on the benefits, side effects and your wishes [2].

From what age should I be tested for prostate cancer?

The European Association of Urology suggests usually starting at age 50, taking the person's general health into account [5]. See also the site's screening tool.

Is prostate cancer that has spread fatal?

When it no longer responds to hormone therapy, it is still fatal [3], but today about 4 in 10 patients are alive 5 years later, and new treatments have lengthened survival [1, 4]. Read more: Prostate cancer

For physicians

Metastatic prostate cancer (for doctors)

For physiciansChemotherapy with hormone therapy (CHAARTED)
For physicians
  • Chemotherapy with hormone therapy (CHAARTED): adding 6 cycles of docetaxel to hormone therapy in metastatic hormone-sensitive disease increased median survival from 44.0 to 57.6 months [6].
  • Triplet therapy (ARASENS): in 1306 patients, adding darolutamide to hormone therapy and docetaxel reduced the risk of death by 32.5% (hazard ratio 0.68), without a notable increase in side effects [4].
  • Radioligand therapy (VISION): in patients with castration-resistant, PSMA PET-positive cancer who had previously received a novel hormonal agent and taxane chemotherapy, lutetium-177-PSMA-617 improved progression-free survival (8.7 vs 3.4 months) and overall survival (15.3 vs 11.3 months) [3].

Scientific evidence

Key studies in the evidence library

5 items
Clinical trial · Phase 3

Fifteen-Year Outcomes after Monitoring, Surgery, or Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer

N Engl J Med · 2023
3.1% / 2.2% / 2.9%Death from prostate cancer
Summary
Clinical trial · Phase 3

Lutetium-177–PSMA-617 for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

N Engl J Med · 2021
8.7 vs 3.4 monthsImaging-based progression-free survival
Summary
Clinical guideline

EAU-EANM-ESTRO-ESUR-ISUP-SIOG Guidelines on Prostate Cancer—2026 Update. Part I: Screening, Diagnosis, and Local Treatment with Curative Intent

Eur Urol · 2026
Summary
Clinical trial · Phase 3

Darolutamide and Survival in Metastatic, Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer

N Engl J Med · 2022
32.5%Overall survival (reduction in risk of death)
Summary
Clinical trial · Phase 3

Chemohormonal Therapy in Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer

N Engl J Med · 2015
57.6 vs 44.0 monthsMedian overall survival
Summary

Related cancer types

Prostate cancer

Related questions

Can I exercise during cancer treatment?Does a high PSA mean prostate cancer?How many chemotherapy sessions will I need?Is cancer hereditary?What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?What does metastasis mean, and can it be treated?What is a PET scan and how is it used in cancer?What is a tumour marker and when is it useful?

References

6 references
Show all references, 6 with a study cardClose the reference list

Numbers in the text, such as [1], refer to these sources. Sources with a “Study card” button are summarised in the site’s evidence library.

  1. 1
    Cancer statistics, 2026Siegel RL, Kratzer TB, Wagle NS, Sung H, Jemal A · CA A Cancer J Clinicians · 2026;76:e70043
    Study cardDOIPubMed Back to text: 1 2 3 4
  2. 2
    Fifteen-Year Outcomes after Monitoring, Surgery, or Radiotherapy for Prostate CancerHamdy FC, Donovan JL, Lane JA, Metcalfe C, Davis M, Turner EL, et al · N Engl J Med · 2023;388:1547-1558
    Study cardDOIPubMed Back to text: 1 2 3 4
  3. 3
    Lutetium-177–PSMA-617 for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate CancerSartor O, de Bono J, Chi KN, Fizazi K, Herrmann K, Rahbar K, et al · N Engl J Med · 2021;385:1091-1103
    Study cardDOIPubMed Back to text: 1 2 3
  4. 4
    Darolutamide and Survival in Metastatic, Hormone-Sensitive Prostate CancerSmith MR, Hussain M, Saad F, Fizazi K, Sternberg CN, Crawford ED, et al · N Engl J Med · 2022;386:1132-1142
    Study cardDOIPubMed Back to text: 1 2 3
  5. 5
    EAU–EANM–ESTRO–ESUR–ISUP–SIOG Guidelines on Prostate Cancer—2026 Update. Part I: Screening, Diagnosis, and Local Treatment with Curative IntentCornford P, van den Bergh RC, Briers E, Chiu P, Eberli D, Epure A, et al · European Urology · 2026;90:254-269
    Study cardDOIPubMed Back to text: 1 2 3
  6. 6
    Chemohormonal Therapy in Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate CancerSweeney CJ, Chen YH, Carducci M, Liu G, Jarrard DF, Eisenberger M, et al · N Engl J Med · 2015;373:737-746
    Study cardDOIPubMed Back to text

This page is based on reputable scientific sources and was last updated on 28 October 2026. The content of this website is for educational and informational purposes only and does not replace consultation, diagnosis or treatment by a specialist physician. Consult your treating physician about any treatment decision.

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