Early Chemotherapy Side Effects

[JoelT]

From the Malecare Advanced Prostate Cancer Blog

( advancedprostatecancer.net ) - Understanding the Reality of Side Effects caused by early chemotherapy in castrate sensitive prostate cancer. According to one research paper “It (early chemotherapy) did not have a long-term impact on overall quality of life or on their (the patient's) emotional well-being.” However, after 12 months the reported quality of life was superior to men in the placebo group.

tinyurl.com/hkaaajd

[Hidden]

Nice read. Twelve years ago with Stage 4 Prostate Cancer, I elected to be a guinea pig with early chemo. I haven't looked back since. In fact, I am a very strong proponent for this type of treatment while one's body is strong and not ravaged by the effects of advanced prostate cancer. Nice write-up Joel.

Gourd Dancer

[motosue in reply to Hidden]

Hi Gourd Dancer,

Congratulations! Can you tell me what kind of chemo you took? I took taxatere with carboplatin. What else are you taking to last this long?

Thanks.

motosue

[Hidden in reply to motosue]

Wilfred, Congratulations on your success. Here was my treatment plan; I stopped Casodex after eight months and continued Lupron for six years.

Each course of chemotherapy lasts for 8 weeks. Patients were treated in weeks 1, 3, and 5 with doxorubicin 20 mg/m2 as a 24-hour intravenous infusion on the first day of every week in combination with ketoconazole 400 mg orally 3 times a day daily for 7 days. In weeks 2, 4, and 6, treatment consisted of paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 intravenously on the first day of every week in combination with estramustine 280 mg orally 3 times a day for 7 days. After completion of 3 courses of chemotherapy, hormone management [medical castration plus casodex (at the completion of chemotherapy)] is initiated at the start of chemotherapy and for a total of 24 months.

Mike

[paulofaus]

Thanks Joel. My Oncologist has me on ADT and wants me to go on to Docataxel after a month or so. I am reluctant, but this article helps.

[JoelT in reply to paulofaus]

Just remember that if you want you can always stop it early. You can also lower the dose if the side effects are overwhelming. It isn't as effective, but will still be benefical.

Joel

[motosue]

Hi Joel,

Thanks for this post. I took Taxotere and carboplatin as soon as I got diagnosed in 2011. I felt kinda sluggish for the first 4-5 days , I think it was. But after that I was back to normal, as far as I could tell. I didn't protect my feet with the cold ice packs so I got neuropathy there but not in my hand cause Dr. Scholz had me put my fingers on cold ice packs. Those are the only side effects I had. Today, my PSA is still undectable and I'm feeling fine. I used to go slow "running" after returning home from each chemo infusion at Dr. Scholz's office in California. I believe that taking the chemo early in my fight has kept me going so far. I hope my remission keeps up for a long time like Chuck. By that way I haven't seen his post for a long time. I hope that he's doing fine.

motosue (Wilfred)