Oncologist/chemo treatment

[Lagovista2018]

So today was very interesting appointment. Received a lot of information. My fiancé oncologist Dr Salih was wonderful. We have a plan on getting his prostate cancer (stage 4 met to bones Gleason 9) he’s going to do chemo every three weeks along with hormone injections. I was concerned because he’s has to have a port for the chemo. Is this normal. Also his oncologist said that he neuroendocrine cells that was noted on the report. His doctor was concerned and stated life expectancies 1-2 years that they can get it into remission and the cells under control but they can come back? Any advice or thoughts

[TNCanuck]

My advice is to ignore ALL life expectancy guesses, because that is ALL they are. There are lots of men on here who are living proof that no one knows!

Good luck with chemo. I'm assuming he'll have Taxotere (Docetaxel) infusions? The port isn't always done, but it will eliminate the need for so many needle sticks. Please do a search for and read a post I shared on eliminating chemo side effects. The information was invaluable to us when my husband went through chemo.

[Lagovista2018 in reply to TNCanuck]

Thank you. I will admit that when we had to go back to the chemotherapy area to schedule his first chemo treatment. I got very emotional

[TNCanuck in reply to Lagovista2018]

I understand completely....walking into my husband's first chemo treatment was one of the saddest moments of my life. And while he was doing chemo, I had to continually remind myself that everything about it, even the negatives, should represent HOPE and HEALING, and that I should be grateful that we had that option. Hang in there.

[Lagovista2018 in reply to TNCanuck]

Thank you very much.

[strummer in reply to TNCanuck]

trying to keep that positive thought but it is difficult when in chemo room.

[TNCanuck in reply to strummer]

It's hard. Sending you prayers.

[strummer in reply to TNCanuck]

thanks, prayers back to you too.

[TNCanuck in reply to strummer]

The fear and sense of being alone was worth it for my hubby (and me). Taxotere took his PSA to <. 10 - - - and it remains there fourteen months later. Hang in there.

[strummer in reply to TNCanuck]

That’s great!

[Shooter1]

First time in each step is always emotional. As for life expectation date, I have past my expiration date and still here. Pushed through 9 chemo sessions and added Xtandi after #5, Lupron until no longer needed because of additional surgery. Really hard fight for me, but now in remission and my 12 mo to 18 mo expectation is standing at 7-10 years. Stage 4, Gleason 9/10, fast growing, aggressive, incurable with bone and soft tissue mets from the onset, but now good to go. .Good luck with treatments and keep positive.

[Lagovista2018 in reply to Shooter1]

The doctors said surgery was not necessary with all the medications that are out there. Should we push for surgery

[Tall_Allen]

Neuroendocrine responds better to carboplatin, so when there is a mixed type, they often combine docetaxel with carboplatin. There are some clinical trials you can look into:

pcnrv.blogspot.com/2016/12/...

[Lagovista2018 in reply to Tall_Allen]

How common or serious is neuroendocrine cells? With advanced prostate cancer that has met to bones

[Tall_Allen in reply to Lagovista2018]

It is uncommon. Read the article.

[MelaniePaul in reply to Lagovista2018]

Where is the small cell cancer?

[Lagovista2018 in reply to MelaniePaul]

This is what I thought was interesting. His oncologist said it was in his final diagnosis report when he was admitted to the ER but his urologist didn’t mention that. So his oncologist did more blood work and next week ordered another ct scan with contrast. Oncologist said that Mike’s case is very unique

[Lagovista2018 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Carboplatin is the chemo therapy his oncologist is going to put him on next Monday. Mikes getting his port in early this morning. He started his hormone injections (Trelstar) yesterday and has to go every six month and he still has to take casodex. Is that normal?

[Tall_Allen in reply to Lagovista2018]

Yes, because he has a mixed type. they sometimes combine carboplatin and docetaxel.

[Stegosaurus37]

The port is a good deal for chemo treatments. Makes the infusion process quite a bit simpler and can be used for other things such as Zometa infusions. Give consideration as to where it's placed. Mine was on my right breast which was OK since I'm a left-handed shooter and so it didn't interfere with my flintlock or shotgun shooting. But location is something to think about.

[Litlerny]

Agree with TN...ignore the life expectancy guesses. It will only unnecessarily add to your stress level.

Don’t sweat the port! It is wonderful. Much easier and safer on your body than repeated poking, and it can also be used for blood draws, etc. the installation and removal is fast, easy, and relatively painless. Use of chemo ports at the Mayo Clinic is pretty much S.O.P. Also, the early use of chemo (or Zytiga + prednisone) + ADT is becoming the standard protocol for Metastatic Stage 4 PCa. I opted for the chemo. It’s worth the side effects, and once you’re done, you’re done.

Best wishes to your fiancée!

[j-o-h-n]

Life expectancy prediction? Fargetdaboutit...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 12/01/2018 12:25 PM EST

[Hidden]

Port is way to go. I did six months of chemo. Really saves the stress on the veins and you have no long line to worry about keeping clean. Can shower and swim, etc.

GD

[tallguy2]

I simply used a vein on the top of my hand for each chemo session. Piece of cake. I liked not having the port as I am a swimmer and didn't want a port.

[Shooter1]

Must not have bothered you much. First infusion was like yours. Boiled out of my fore arm with 1 1/2 x 8 inch burn. Pick line to heart before second cycle. Boiled out of arms and across my shoulders. Added more buffers and steroids with third, used pick for 12 mo. without problems. Flushed weekly. Surgery for me was acct prostate pain and tests showed no spread. Boy were wrong. Pathology came back a disaster..

[Lagovista2018]

Mike went to his first chemo treatment today he will do 3day rounds of chemo every 3 weeks. So he will get chemo tomorrow and Wednesday then his next appointment is Dec 31st. Today they gave him carbonplatin and etoposide and the next two days they will give him etoposide. Is that normal? Has anyone had these chemo treatments before