Radium 223

[EdinBmore]

I am interested in anyone's experience with radium-223. Thanks,

EdinBaltimore

[Magnus1964]

I had radium 223 treatment several years ago. I didn't experience any side effects and the it worked well. But everyone responds differently to treatments.

[Leps]

Had six doses of Ra223 last year. No side effects. PSA remained around 200. My MO was not impressed with the results but my RO said the treatment was successful. Like Magnus164 says, your response could be different.

My understanding is that Xofigo may not lower PSA.

[ellie2211]

Was it very hard on your blood counts?

[OldWarrior]

finished six rounds of Xofigo in April. Some bone pain and diarrhea around Day 4 each cycle. Mixed results - existing bone Mets stable or smaller but new Mets after cycle 4. PSA rose steadily throughout. Had to fight to finish all six. Went to Docetaxel next. Some evidence of synergistic effects. Last round of Xofigo and first round of chemo only a week apart - big PSA drop but hemoglobin took a big hit and screwed up timing of next chemo cycle.

[Har036]

My husband had all six treatments without notable side effects except fatigue but it could have been from other treatments. His PSA didn’t change and his scans showed that the met sites had not changed but there wasn’t any new sites either. That was two years ago and scans have remained the same. I’m not sure if it was effective. He was and still taking Lynparza.. I believe while the xofigo was attacking the cancer in the bone the lynparza was keeping the cancer from repairing itself. That’s my understanding. I just know that my husband has been undetectable since.

[dhccpa in reply to Har036]

When you say undetectable, are the original mets still there? If so, can you tell if there's activity with them? What's their status? Thanks

[Har036 in reply to dhccpa]

His PSA is undetectable. I believe it’s 0.4 and that number hasn’t moved one way or the other since. His scans per his doc have remained “unchanged.” The doctor said after his first scan following the treatments that the Mets is still there and didn’t shrink much at all but repeat scans showed the same-no growth or new Mets. I hope that helps. I will add no complaints of bone pain since the treatment.

[dhccpa in reply to Har036]

OK, thanks, Not to quibble, but sounds like they are still "detectable" but stable. I know mets can disappear from scans, but even then I'm not sure they're not there. But an interesting question.

[Har036 in reply to dhccpa]

The Mets (cancer that has spread outside the prostate) went to his bone. He had the xofigo treatments that target mets that are in the bone. He has mets in the hip and sacrum that has not grown but has not disappeared since the treatment. That is monitored by scans. His PSA has been stable and “undetectable” according to his physician. The Mets sites have not advanced since the xofigo ( radium 223) treatment. He’s also been on Lupron/ Eligard and Lynparza. I hope that is helpful for you.

By the way his genetic testing actionable treatments were Abiraterone which he took and it failed after 4 months, Lynparza ( he is starting 3rd year) and xofigo 2 1/2 years ago.

Tall Allen can explain all of this so much better than most and can point you to articles . My understanding is that Radium 223 (xofigo) should be considered if you have metastasis to the bone with pain but no metastasis to organs or tissue.

[dhccpa in reply to Har036]

Thanks. I appreciate the details. Sounds like good results from Xofigo.

[Tinuriel]

Just finished 6 rounds, no side effects to speak of, kind of a "meh" - from the scans there seemed to be some disease progression. We can only assume it would have been worse without it, and that he would be experiencing bone pain by now (which at this point he does not). Worth trying, different people have different results.

[Islandboy2021]

I am currently having Radium 223 treatment. I have had 4 out of 6 so far. I have noticed an increase in fatigue also some nausea after eating.

Don’t take calcium supplements during treatment. After the first couple of treatments I did have some bone pain.

[john4803 in reply to Islandboy2021]

Where was your bone pain and how did you treat it, if you don't mind sharing?

[Islandboy2021 in reply to john4803]

Bone pain was in my ribs where the Mets are located. It was not terrible pain and I didn’t take any thing. Pushed through it and exercised when I could.

I think the most noticeable thing was the fatigue and nausea.

[EdinBmore in reply to john4803]

John4803,

If your question was for me, EdinBaltimore, then, I am not currently taking 223. I was asking for a friend who will begin treatment soon. Thanks for responding.

EdinBaltimore

[Foldem]

I did it last summer. No side effects. Mets showed no growth and some shrank a bit. My doctor and I both called it a win!

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[torzonborz]

I'm currently in the middle of Xofigo treatment; I've received three doses, and I'll be getting three more. Side effects include diarrhea, nausea, occasional vomiting, bone pain, temperature fluctuations, weakness, and fatigue. I'm going for a CT scan next week, and hopefully, it will show that my metastases have decreased. That's what I'm hoping for...

[john4803 in reply to torzonborz]

Where was your bone pain and how did you treat it, if you don't mind sharing?

[torzonborz in reply to john4803]

After the treatment, I experienced strong pain in my lower back, hip bone, knee, and shoulder blade area. I managed to somewhat alleviate the pain with multiple pain relievers.

[john4803]

I am having a similar experience with upper spine and scapular pain on Lu177. I am trying Gabapentin and Tramadol.

[EdinBmore]

To all of those who responded, thanks so much.

EdinBaltimore