I’ve joined for my dad who has been diagnosed with metastatic cassation resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). He originally had a prostatectomy over 10 years ago. In 2016, his PSA was once again and he began radiation although the doctors said they were basically aiming blindly at where they believed it to be. His PSA eventually went to be undetectable until 2020. His doctors tried a variety of treatments but his PSA continued to climb. They discovered it has spread to his bone in his spine and at that time also shared his cancer is incurable. He was eventually referred to the University of Michigan and was offered to join a clinical trial. The clinical trial includes xtandi, keytruda and then the trial drug. However, it doesn’t seem the cancer is responding favorably to the trial. He is being given about 2 more months in the trial before they pull him. Then his options will be chemo or radium which will not cure the cancer.
His PSA has been all over the place from 50 in Nov 2021 to 120 in April 2022 and now close to 200 in June 2022.
He has no appetite and has lost about 20 lbs since starting the trial in April.
I’m posting in hopes of finding others out there with any feedback or similar situations. I know his cancer is incurable but I want support for him and of course the most time with him as possible. Thanks for reading his story and I appreciate any feedback at all.
Written by
ForEJH225
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
i am no expert but have a nursing paramedic background and have 4+4 mets in bones and lungs and progressing well.Worried about your fathers weight loss that seems a lot!Has he been given any tests for bowl cancer and has he had any bleeding from the rectum?Regards brian
He shared yesterday that all internal organs and their functions look good still so I don’t believe he’s having any of those issues elsewhere. I am really concerned with his weight loss. He was having a lot of issues with diarrhea which he’s taking medication for now and has finally improved. He said some of his taste has changed since starting the clinical trial. He can eat breakfast fine, but lunch his appetite is already minimal and by dinner, he usually has a hard time eating anything so I can see how he has lost so much weight. It’s concerning though.
Perhaps the trial doctors would be able to suggest what’s next. Maybe another trial? Also, it would help for ideas here to know your Dad’s age, strength, fitness and what drugs he has tried.
There is an appetite stimulant called megace which might help.
He is 64 years old. He retired right before all this began and when he was at work, he would go to the gym there but since retiring 2.5 years ago, I would say he doesn’t “work out” but he is still active around the house, doing yard work, working on cars, etc..
He does receive hormone therapy injections to keep his testosterone down. He’s been on xtandi in the past and did not like it, it seems to be going better this time around in the trial. He has also taken zytiga before. He receives bone strengthening injections currently as well. He is taking a medication for diarrhea but I apologize I do not know the name of that one.
I’ll mention the megace to him. THANK YOU. I really truly appreciate the feedback.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
How to interpret PSA results
Xtandi clinical trial and side effects 
Abiraterone and fatigue in 78 year old dad
Prostate Cancer-Thoughts
