Supportive and palliative care

Supportive care helps manage symptoms caused by:

• The cancer itself
• Side effects of treatment

It can be given:

• During treatment aimed at curing the cancer
• During long-term hormone therapy
• In advanced or metastatic prostate cancer

Supportive care is appropriate at any stage of prostate cancer and is an important part of overall treatment.

Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life, regardless of how advanced the cancer is. It does not mean that cancer treatment has stopped - it can be given alongside treatments such as:

• Hormone therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Radiopharmaceutical therapy
• Other treatments for advanced prostate cancer

Palliative care can start as soon as symptoms appear or when additional support is needed, even if curative treatments are still being used. For some men, palliative care may continue for many years.

The aim is to help you feel as well as possible for as long as possible.

This chapter contains general information about supportive and palliative care for prostate cancer patients. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always consult your doctor or healthcare provider for guidance on your individual medical situation.

The creation of this chapter was funded by Ferring Pharmaceuticals. Its content has been independently developed and approved by the EAU Patient Office.

Last updated: February 2026

Reviewed by: 

• Dr. Nikolaos Grivas (Guideline Panel on Prostate Cancer)
• Mr. Eamonn Rogers (Patient Office Chairman)
• Dr. Erik Briers (Patient Office EPAG)