People want to know if Docetaxel is worth doing due to the side effects. My husband just had a recent PSMA PET scan after 5 treatments and the result is compared with the same scan method done before treatment began:
Impression (Summary)
Mild improvement in subcarinal adenopathy, left lung base nodule, and osseous metastases. No new lesions.
===
THORAX: Interval decrease in size and radiotracer activity of subcarinal lymphadenopathy measuring 3.5 x 1.2 cm with SUV max 2.8, previously 3.7 x 1.9 cm with SUV max 24.6. Interval decreased size and radiotracer activity of left lung base nodule measuring 1.0 x 0.7 cm with SUV max 5.8, previously 1.9 x 1.7 cm with SUV max 23.6.
ABDOMEN/PELVIS: Distribution of isotope in abdomen, retroperitoneum and pelvis is normal.
OSSEOUS STRUCTURES: (ie Bone Lesions) Multifocal radiotracer avid sclerotic lesions demonstrate slight improvement compared to prior exam. For example, a sclerotic lesion in L3 vertebral body measures SUV max 60.1 compared to 93.4. Another example is a lesion in T9 vertebral body measures SUV max 55.3 compared to 92.9.
Our MO says the RO who wrote this was understating the result - he was more than pleased with the impact the chemo is having so far (which includes a PSA drop from 162 to 14). He says pain and discomfort from chemo are preferred to pain and discomfort from the disease. So ...steady as she goes - we will continue with these treatments for now.