When to give up on zytiga and ADT

[Cynthgob]

PSA rise from 4.1 to 5.8 in six weeks. Been on zytiga 13 months. When do you know you’ve had your run with zytiga? Lowest PSA 3.87 past August . Diagnosed aug 2017 . Metastasized in bones but not in any organs. Why stay on ADT if cancer is working around the hormones? Discouraged .

[Hidden]

When do you know? Scans.

[Cynthgob in reply to Hidden]

Scans were status quo. They aren’t pretty but there isn’t any more progression. Lots of mets. Had chemo 2017.

[Hidden in reply to Cynthgob]

"there isn't any more progression" means it's still working. PSA is still low too. Don't give up. You can switch the steroid to Dexamethasone now if you haven't already. That may push your PSA back down again. Main thing is no progression

[Tall_Allen]

Part of castration resistance is that the cancer is more sensitive than ever to even the smallest amount of testosterone. It is critical he stick with ADT.

[Cynthgob in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thank you

[tallguy2]

It's ADT for life in his situation. But at some point a second round of chemotherapy may be in his future...see recent post from Tall_Allen. If bone pain develops do not be afraid to seek radiation or other treatments.

Best wishes.

[Cynthgob in reply to tallguy2]

Pretty adamant about no more chemo.

[j-o-h-n]

Don't be such a dam ant about chemo....Fight on.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 12/25/2019 11:06 PM EST

[Vsahay]

Almost in the same situation as you. My father's psa has been on a rise since september this year and his MO wants him to continue with zytiga until bone pain sets in.However, MO has not asked for any scans until feb 2020.So far he is not experiencing any symtoms but fear of progression keeps haunting.😅

However,in your situation,it is definitely a good idea to continue with zytiga as no progression has been observed yet.Also,psa is not sole predictor of progression.Get the scans and blood tests done as recommended by doctor at regular intervals and stay calm.

No reason for you to be discouraged.