Hello Everybody!

[3Chordsandthetruth]

Hey there! 62yo male. Breast cancer in 2008. Right breast mastectomy, chemo and radiation. I thought I was all done with cancer however cancer wasn't done with me. I was diagnosed with metastatic PCa in January, 2021. I'm here looking for positive information and sharing whatever I can to help others with our similar dilemma.Read less

[Tall_Allen]

Damn! That is BAD luck. Have you had a germline genomic test? Men who are BRCA+ respond well to PARP inhibitors and platins.

[3Chordsandthetruth in reply to Tall_Allen]

Yes, I did have the BRCA test and it was negative. I need to brush up on my acronyms. I stumbled across a list somewhere here but can't seem to find it again.. PARP?

[Tall_Allen in reply to 3Chordsandthetruth]

PARP inhibitors are a class of medications (e.g., Lynparza, Rubraca, etc.) that are effective in men who have the BRCA2 mutation.

[Darryl Partner]

Welcome! I’m sure you’re going to get lots of great support here. just as a FYI there’s also a male breast cancer community here: healthunlocked.com/male-bre...

[Hidden]

This is what your looking for....healthunlocked.com/advanced...

[noahware]

Sorry you had to join us, but now that you are here, welcome... and I wonder if you had much experience with tamoxifen. I took it for about six months to prevent gynecomastia until my antiandrogen (bicalutamide) failed, and I will want to take it again as I start transdermal estrogen therapy, but some have suggested it might better be avoided.

I saw a recent group PC video about estrogen therapy where one man said male breast cancer patients "hated" tamoxifen. Just wondering if that's true, and why. I took 10 mg per day and plan to return to that unless I hear some compelling reason not to.

[depotdoug in reply to noahware]

Where can i fond out more about tamoxifen?Ask call my Oncologist(RN) or is that something my PCP family doctor could prescribe monitor?

[noahware in reply to depotdoug]

I think it would be more in the realm of the oncologist than the PCP, but depends on the doc. It would be fairly standard to add to bicalutamide or estrogen therapy, but not so much for regular ADT (lupron, etc.). Are you experiencing gynecomastia?

[depotdoug in reply to noahware]

Yes. Too much, way to much breast enlargement. I’ve been on ADT consisting of Lupron Depot 90 day injections, Abiraterone 250mg, and Prednisone 5mg’s since Sept 2019. Should i ask my PCP doctor? I see him this Thursday AM.

Tamoxifen and estrogen?

Doug

[noahware in reply to depotdoug]

So estrogen imbalance is what helps enlarge the breasts, resulting from ADT... using estrogen patches could make that even worse, as it would be used not to relieve that symptom but to help with bone loss, hot flashes, etc. Tamaxifen can be added for men who want to relieve ONLY the breast complications. So they are two different meds that can have opposing actions.

Tamoxifen is not usually prescribed with the ADT that you are on, and it is limited in its ability to reverse gynecomastia (high doses are needed, earlier rather than later). I don't know enough to inform a thorough discussion with your doc... perhaps you should start a brand new thread, where you will get Tall Allen's input and suggestions.

[depotdoug in reply to noahware]

Yes, I will start another "thread" or subject on gynecomastia conditions. Like is it treatable?

Without SE's?

Plastic surgery required?

That subject male breast enlargement is to some a sensitive topic to consider speking on. Myself included.

Still think I'll bring it up this Thursday to my PCP doctor.

Doug

[noahware in reply to depotdoug]

From what Tall Allen has said, it is reversible up to a point, but beyond that it requires surgical removal of breast tissue. I cannot recall at what point that is, but I bet he would address it again when you do a new posting. Yes, it is an issue worth discussing... some men are unbothered by it, but as a 60-year old I still have a certain amount of vanity... I'm embarrassed enough by my gut, don't need boobs to go with it!

[3Chordsandthetruth in reply to noahware]

Hey... Yes I did take tamoxifen, but only for about two months. It made me miserable,so I guess you can put me in the camp of men who hated it. It was negligible with regards to improving my outcome. However, this is a completely different scenario. If I get to the point where my Doc says I'll benefit from it I will try it again.

[noahware in reply to 3Chordsandthetruth]

Thanks... what was the dose, and what did you perceive the effects to be? I do agree the context is probably not comparable to taking it at 10mg along with Casodex 150mg and Finasteride 5mg. I stopped all three when the Casodex failed and PSA started rising, but I honestly felt fine when on these meds... maybe even better than when off of them!

My worry is that there is some long-term negative aspect to the tamoxifen, or that it will somehow compromise the effectiveness of ADT... but not sure if or why that worry is warranted.

[3Chordsandthetruth in reply to noahware]

Sorry, no idea what the dosage was. It was so long ago and I never thought it would be relevant to me again. Wish I could be more helpful.

[noahware in reply to 3Chordsandthetruth]

No problems, thanks.

[Hidden]

Welcome 3Chords.. you can probably teach many of us here a thing or two about surviving ? Hormonal cancers are like the mob . Just when you think you’re out, they pull you back in . I can’t imagine what you’ve already been through . You’ve come to a good place for answers . Nuttin but the truth ..

[3Chordsandthetruth in reply to Hidden]

Thank you... Looking back I don't feel as though I've been through that much. It's just something that happened. You deal with it and move forward.

[Hidden in reply to 3Chordsandthetruth]

That great attitude should serve you well in our dilemma . 😎🌵

[j-o-h-n]

Greetings,Good place to post, lots of info and camaraderie.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 04/26/2021 7:39 PM DST