Rashes are a common side effect of prostate cancer treatments like hormone therapy or radiation therapy. Rarely, rashes may be caused by chemicals released from cancer cells.
Prostate cancer is the
Rashes aren’t a typical symptom of prostate cancer, but in rare cases, they may develop due to chemicals being released from cancer cells. Very rarely, prostate cancer can spread to the skin and cause uncomfortable symptoms.
Most rashes associated with prostate cancer are caused by prostate cancer treatments, such as hormone-blocking therapy, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
Rashes appear in roughly
A rare but aggressive subtype of prostate cancer is called neuroendocrine prostate cancer. This subtype typically has a poorer outlook than the most common type of prostate cancer, called adenocarcinoma. Roughly 1% of cancers that start in the prostate gland have neuroendocrine features.
Neuroendocrine tumors can secrete biologically active compounds that can lead to paraneoplastic syndromes. Paraneoplastic syndromes are collections of symptoms caused by chemicals released from cancer cells. Symptoms depend on the chemical released.
Symptoms of paraneoplastic syndromes may occur even before specific prostate cancer symptoms develop. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer of the genitals or urinary tract to cause paraneoplastic syndromes behind kidney cancer.
The most common paraneoplastic syndrome affecting the skin is called dermatomyositis. Symptoms of dermatomyositis include:
- a violet or dusky red rash, usually on your face and eyelids as well as on your hands, elbows, knees, and torso
- itchiness and pain over this rash
- progressive muscle weakness involving the muscle closest to your trunk.
Very rarely, prostate cancer may cause hives. Hives are medically called urticarial rashes.
In a 2020 case study, researchers reported about a 59-year-old man who had a long and unexplained history of hives before eventually being diagnosed with prostate cancer. According to the researchers, it was only the second known case.
Advanced prostate cancer can also spread to the skin, but this is extremely rare.
Skin rashes are a common complication of some forms of prostate cancer treatment. Many types of cancer treatment are known to cause skin problems, such as:
- radiation therapy
- chemotherapy
- targeted therapy
- immunotherapy
- photodynamic therapy
Additionally, some hormone therapy drugs, like androgen synthesis inhibitors used to treat prostate cancer,
For example, rashes are one of the most common side effects of a particular androgen synthesis inhibitor called
In a
| Group | Number of people | Percentage developing rash |
|---|---|---|
| metastatic castration naïve prostate cancer | 454 | 28.85% |
| non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer | 1,738 | 19.97% |
| metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer | 630 | 28.89% |
Prostate cancer often doesn’t cause symptoms until the tumor grows large enough to press on surrounding structures. When it does start to cause problems, you might develop symptoms like:
- frequent urination
- slow urinary stream
- weak urinary stream
- blood in your urine or semen
If the cancer becomes advanced, you may develop symptoms like:
- erectile dysfunction
- bone pain in your hip, back, pelvis, or other areas
- weakness in your legs or feet
- loss of bladder control
- unintentional weight loss
- fatigue
It’s important to seek medical help if you develop any warning signs of prostate cancer. Trouble urinating is often the first noticeable sign. It’s also important to start prostate screening from the age of
It’s a good idea to see a dermatologist if you notice any unexplained changes to your skin.
The following are the main
- watchful waiting, or active surveillance, seeing how the cancer progresses before administering treatment
- surgery
- radiation therapy
- hormone therapy
- chemotherapy
- targeted therapy
- immunotherapy
- bisphosphonate therapy, medications to support bone density
Some prostate cancers secrete chemicals that cause rashes, although this isn’t common. However, rashes are a common side effect of many treatments for prostate cancer.
It’s important to tell your doctor about any side effects you develop during your cancer treatment so they can adjust your treatment as needed. Rashes often improve once treatment is stopped or the dose of certain medications is reduced.