Carboplatin working well for liver - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

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Carboplatin working well for liver

Just wanted to post an update on my dad's experience of carboplatin chemo in case it is useful to anyone in a similar position. In April scans showed that his cancer had moved into his liver, too small to do a biopsy at that stage but within a few weeks it had progressed very quickly. He had been on xtandi since January and this was stopped at that point as the hospital said it was no longer effective. A biopsy showed the cancer was neuroendocrine and he deteriorated very quickly. Became very yellow, eating very small amounts and eventually in May was taken into hospital as he was so weak. There was a bit of back and forth about whether he could have the chemo or not but eventually they said yes. This was two months after initial discovery. At this point he was not able to get out of bed and sleeping for large parts of the day, yellow all over from jaundice. He had his first session which was a very small and weak dose. That week was the worst, he became so weak he couldn't talk, could only grunt if he needed something, or eat much, and slept most of the time. Nurses were coming in to wash him and change bedcovers etc. Then about a week later, he woke up and it really has been like a miracle after months of such a poor quality of life. He woke one day at 6 and spoke for hours and was awake till mid afternoon. A few days later he managed into a seat beside his bed. Eventually he managed into the garden with his zimmer and now is managing to walk about with his stick. He has manged to have friends round and finish projects he never thought he'd get to do. He has even managed out of the house a few times. His appetite is back bigger than ever, kicking off with 2 or three breakfasts and he is enjoying food again, which hasn't really happened since the start of the year. He is able to stay up until 8 or 9 at night if he needs to ie if visitors are round. He has his fourth session tomorrow which is full dose and I think he will also receive a second type of chemo, can't remember what it is. Scans are stable and bloods are good. We are so amazed and delighted with how well it has worked. Not sure what the plan is after his last session, it depends on how strong he is. Hospital has said possibly another type of chemo.

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sem275

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AlanMeyer5 years ago

That is a wonderful story. Neuroendocrine cancer in the liver is about as serious as it gets. A remission like this is terrific. I hope that he and the whole family are able to enjoy this extra time and make the most of it.

Best of luck.

Alan

sem275 in reply to AlanMeyer5 years ago

Thank you Alan, he is definitely making the most of it, it has been amazing. All the best

Tall_Allen5 years ago

here are some clinical trials he may want to look into:

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

sem275 in reply to Tall_Allen5 years ago

Thank you Tall Allen, we are in Scotland, doesn't seem to be so many trials here but I have contacted one in Glasgow that might be worth looking into further if he is well enough. All the best