My first chemo infusion was Dec 16, 2020, with the 21 day cadence. My last two blood tests prior to infusion showed my PSA jumping up again. I wasn't worried about my PSA rising as the fine gentlemen on this forum have stated that PSA may go up do to dying cells. MO told me "it's not working so we're going to stop it." I was scheduled for 10 but stopped before my 8th. I personally think it was working as my urination frequency has slowed down (my prostate was pushing into my bladder at my last CT scan).
He mentioned there's a couple of trials coming up at Duke Cancer Institute (which is where I'm being treated) but I don't know which ones yet. He also said it's time to schedule a biopsy of the lesion in my liver (it has reduced in size over time).
He ordered a circulating tumor blood test for me, and is sending a blood sample to the Guardant360CDx.
So I'm now in a holding pattern waiting for what's next. No real question here, just posting in case others see the same thing.
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HerbieP
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Immune HistoChemistry - they stain the tissue with antibodies to specific proteins and look at it under a microscope. It tells you which proteins are being expressed by your cancer and to what degree. Talk to your oncologist about it.
Yes, April 7 I had my scans, and showed positive results from the previous scans. I believe my insurance only covers scans every 6 months as I see the next one is scheduled 6 mos. from April 7. Good to hear about the biopsy, I've read that in other posts so I had no issue with my MO recommending it. Thanks for your support!
Hang in there HerbieP, At ease amigo . Keep keeping on . ✌️
I have my 6th round end of May (my birthday). Not sure what to make of the numbers, they stopped the Zytiga after 3 months, PSA climbed to 360, it went down to 70 when they started the Docetaxel but the last two infusions I needed blood transfusions and PSA went up to 90, I've been feeling rough and LOT of pain in Femurs again. It took me 11 days to bounce back from the Chemo and still don't feel 100%
The first Chemo started Dec 2018 I had very positive outcome, started with a PSA of 1386 and came down to 0.28 for 11 months, this time I'm not so lucky.
I too am on docetaxel started 04-11-21. Just had 3rd infusion. Also still doing ADT, Lupron PSA, 04-02 was 69. 2 months later it is 9. And the severe bone mets pain in my rt pelvis and leg is mostly gone. I am also taking off-label drugs and supplement that enhance the effectiveness of the docetaxel and lesson the side effects. Also on a vegan diet the helps weaken the cancer. A little different situation, I am stage 4, mCRPC. Right half of pelvis showed solid black on scan. You might look at Duke research on disrupting glutamine metabolism. You weaken the cancer and the chemo works better. This is only a small sample of the information I have found non SOC , non conventional cancer treatment.
I too am on docetaxel started 04-11-21. Just had 3rd infusion. Also still doing ADT, Lupron PSA, 04-02 was 69. 2 months later it is 9. I am also taking off-label drugs and supplement that enhance the effectiveness of the docetaxel. Also on a vegan diet the helps weaken the cancer. A little different situation, I am stage 4, mCRPC. Right half of pelvis showed solid black on scan. You might ask Duke about their research on disrupting glutamine metabolism. You weaken the cancer and the chemo works better.scienceblog.com/521886/new-...
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Docetaxel 
Docetaxel not working so stopped
options after Docetaxel 
Docetaxel 111(2)
