If you have prostate cancer and the lymph nodes around are enlarged what does this mean?

Enlarged lymph nodes around the prostate gland can be a sign of prostate cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands that are part of the body's immune system. They help to filter out bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances from the body. When cancer cells spread to the lymph nodes, it means that the cancer has progressed to a more advanced stage.

The presence of enlarged lymph nodes around the prostate gland does not necessarily mean that the cancer has spread, but it is a cause for concern and further investigation is needed. Your doctor may recommend a biopsy of the lymph nodes to determine if they contain cancer cells. If the biopsy results are positive for cancer, your doctor will discuss treatment options with you.

Treatment for prostate cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes may include surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy. The goal of treatment is to control the cancer and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body.