New patient with Advanced Prostate Cancer

[Towneford]

I was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in Dec. 2016. My PSA was 284. I had a biopsy, bone scan and CAT scan. I have cancer in the bones in 4 places, 2 vertebrae L1 and L2, one shoulder blade and one pelvic bone. I had a testosterone level of 504. I am now on Eligard. After 3 mos. the PSA was 8.4 and the testosterone was 14. I have no bone pain and my only side effect is hot flashes. I will be seeing an oncologist this week to get established. By the way, I'm 74 years old.

[YostConner]

Welcome to the group Towneford. Your treatment is off to a good start! Keep us posted.

[gusgold]

You need more than Eligard...maybe Casodex....your PSA needs to go to <.1

[Dr_WHO]

Welcome to the group no one wants to join. However, you will not meet a better bunch of people. While your testosterone is in the eunuch level (mine is <10), it would be nice to get the PSA lower. Recent studies have shown that using two hormonal treatments at the start could dramatically improve life expectancy. For that reason I am on Lupron and Zytiga (along with prednisone).

Here is a link to one study that just came out this June.

nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/N...

[Hidden in reply to Dr_WHO]

I did Lupron & Tak-700 from the onset.Now no signs..May be truth in 2is better than 1..from the start.. Thanks for the info!

[Hidden]

Sorry you have to be here, but hope we can help and support you during your treatment process.

One thing you might consider is doing early Taxotere (Docetaxel) chemotherapy. Doing chemotherapy early on along with Primary Androgen Deprivation Therapy has show an additional average survival benefit of 13 months and 17 months in cases with higher tumor burdens. You can get the details from the results of the CHAARTED and STAMPEDE trials.

That's the route I've taken since my diagnosis in early March of this year. My PSA went from a high of 400 down to .2 in just 4 months. I just did my 5th chemo infusion last Friday and so far the side effects have been quite reasonable.

Good luck with your treatment and please keep us posted on your progress or if you have any questions/concerns. There's a lot of knowledge and experience here.

[ctarleton]

With bone mets, you might also ask the oncologist about your options for getting a baseline bone density test, and perhaps starting on a periodic bone agent, such as Xgeva (denosumab) or Zometa (zoledronic acid).

[Sisira]

Most welcome and thank you for joining us with a brilliant smile. You deserve to retain this smile many more years beyond 74.

I am an advocate of useing Chemo Therapy with combination of other drugs for your type of advanced PCa taking the earliest opportunity available. gregg57's reply contains exactly what I want to tell you. Chemo is no more the same scary treatment given 10 years back and the side effects can be easily tolerated by many with more understanding of the protocol.

All the best for your journey with us.

Sisira

[Hidden]

74. , you look great..The facts and details of the criminal APC are freightening for sure..Our bones involved, this is scary..Sounds like you are doing well with side effects.Thats Fortunate for you..Wish you good results!