Does Prostate Cancer Cause Weakness and Fatigue? Causes and Treatment

Prostate cancer and the methods used to treat it can cause a feeling of fatigue. In advanced prostate cancer, prostate cancer-related fatigue is a common symptom.

Along with lung and colorectal cancer, prostate cancer is among the most common cancers affecting men. It develops when abnormal cells in the prostate gland divide and grow uncontrollably.

Prostate cancer fatigue can cause a range of symptoms, including reduced energy and poorer mental health.

This article provides an overview of prostate cancer fatigue and discusses its main causes.

Important!

Although often used interchangeably, weakness and fatigue have different meanings.

• Physical weakness is a lack of physical or muscle strength, making it feel as though moving your arms, legs or other muscles requires extra effort. The English medical term is  weakness .
• Fatigue , or feeling fatigued, is the need to rest because of a lack of energy or strength. It can result from overwork, poor sleep, anxiety, boredom or lack of exercise.

What Are the Main Causes of Prostate Cancer Fatigue?

Fatigue is a common symptom of prostate cancer. There are various reasons for it, including treatment and hormonal imbalances .

Prostate Cancer Treatment

Prostate cancer treatments are a common cause of fatigue.

1. Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT):
   • These drugs are a type of hormone therapy that oncologists and urologists may use to treat prostate cancer.
   • Androgens are male hormones that help prostate cancer cells grow. ADT lowers androgen levels in the body. This can prevent the hormones from reaching cancer cells and slow prostate cancer growth or shrink the cancer. ADT can also cause fatigue.
2. Radiation therapy is another treatment option for prostate cancer.
   • There are several types of radiation therapy, which target cancer cells with intense radiation beams. Radiation may come from an external machine or radioactive material placed inside the body by a healthcare professional. These high-energy rays or particles kill cancer cells.
   • Fatigue is a possible side effect of radiation therapy and may persist for weeks or months after treatment is completed.

Prostate Cancer Affects Hormones

Prostate cancer affects hormone levels.

Changes in hormone levels can cause many side effects, including fatigue.

What Other Factors Contribute to Prostate Cancer Fatigue?

Other factors that may cause fatigue in someone with prostate cancer include:

Sleep Problems

People with prostate cancer may experience sleep problems and disrupted sleep, which can contribute to fatigue.

Pain

People with advanced prostate cancer may experience considerable pain. Pain can contribute to fatigue in various ways, and pain treatments can also contribute.

The Emotional Impact of Cancer

Prostate cancer can cause anxiety or fear. This distress may lead to physical problems, including fatigue. Other physical problems that can result from this distress include insomnia and loss of appetite.

Depression

Depression is a common psychological condition associated with cancer. Fatigue is one of its symptoms.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer Fatigue

Prostate cancer fatigue can manifest in various ways, including:

1. Lack of Energy: A person may feel constantly tired and lacking in energy.
2. Extreme Tiredness: Even simple daily tasks can cause considerable fatigue.
3. Weakness: A general feeling of physical weakness and exhaustion.
4. Exhaustion: Feeling completely drained, both physically and mentally.
5. Difficulty Thinking Clearly: Struggling with mental functions such as decision-making and problem-solving.
6. Memory Problems: Difficulty remembering daily events or learning new information.
7. Mental Exhaustion: A persistent feeling of mental fatigue and emptiness.
8. Emotional Exhaustion: Feeling emotionally empty and drained.
9. Difficulty Moving: Slowness and difficulty with physical activity, and a feeling of heaviness when moving.

These symptoms reflect the fatigue commonly experienced by people with prostate cancer, which can substantially reduce their quality of life.

Prostate cancer fatigue may not improve after sleep and may persist for some time after cancer treatment ends.

How Common Is Prostate Cancer Fatigue?

A 2021 systematic review analyzed 14 studies involving 4,763 people with prostate cancer and found that one quarter experienced cancer-related fatigue.

A 2024 literature review stated that cancer itself and its treatment cause cancer-related fatigue in nine out of every 10 people with advanced prostate cancer.

Recommendations for Prostate Cancer Fatigue

Many studies show that exercise can help reduce prostate cancer fatigue.

Physical activities that may improve prostate cancer fatigue include:

• Walking
• Aerobic exercise
• Weightlifting, or
• Sports such as swimming

Studies also show that education and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may help reduce cancer-related fatigue.

CBT is a form of psychotherapy that helps people change their patterns of thinking and behavior.

CBT and education may also help someone with prostate cancer mentally manage physical challenges. These approaches can help them make the most of their ability to exercise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Cancer Fatigue Feel Like?

Cancer fatigue can leave a person feeling exhausted. Someone experiencing it may be unable to perform everyday tasks.

At What Age Is Prostate Cancer Most Common?

Prostate cancer generally affects older people. Approximately 80% of those diagnosed are aged 65 or older.

However, prostate cancer sometimes develops in younger people too.

Some research suggests that people younger than 55 generally have less aggressive prostate cancer.

What Are the Main Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?

In its early stages, prostate cancer may cause no symptoms.

In later stages, a person may have difficulty urinating or notice blood in the urine or semen. Advanced prostate cancer can also cause difficulty achieving an erection, bone pain and kidney failure.

Summary

Fatigue is a common symptom of prostate cancer. It can cause a lack of energy, difficulty thinking clearly, memory problems, emotional exhaustion and difficulty moving.

It may occur because prostate cancer affects hormone levels or because of certain prostate cancer treatments.

Other symptoms or side effects associated with prostate cancer include sleep problems, the emotional impact of having cancer, pain and depression.

Exercise, CBT and education can help a person reduce prostate cancer fatigue.