primary tumor: I am BRAC2 positive with... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

22,373 members28,135 posts

primary tumor

28 Replies

I am BRAC2 positive with a G9 and mets to lungs. Started ADT March 23, two cycles of chemo last fall, currently on Nubeqa and Orgavix. Last PSA was .1. The nodules and lymph nodes are gone and I was turned down for radiation to the prostate. My diet is beyond clean, never thought I could do it, but I eat most raw vegatables, berries, nuts and beans. Fish if it's fresh. Nice to you all

Read more about...
28 Replies
Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen

You sound like a good candidate for PARP inhibitor when your current regimen fails.

in reply toTall_Allen

PARP Ihibitors are nothing to look forward to. I'm on a site with women who have Ovarian cancer and it's rough

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply to

The old ones are very toxic, but hopefully, you'll be able to access the second-generation PARP inhibitors being tested now. They are very specific for PARP1 and are comparatively less toxic.

mrscruffy profile image
mrscruffy in reply to

Currently on Lynparza, once the correct dosage is determined it is a walk in the park for me

Seasid profile image
Seasid in reply tomrscruffy

How was the correct dosage determined?

mrscruffy profile image
mrscruffy in reply toSeasid

full dose is 600mg, after 3 months PSA dropped and no new Metastases, then tested white and red blood cells. They were low so dropped to 450mg, PSA still low and blood cells coming back. In September I am going to ask about going to 300mg. Not taking full doses is making my meds go way further. I assume I will have to pay eventually and it is expensive.

Ian99 profile image
Ian99 in reply tomrscruffy

Glad to hear a walk in the park is possible. I am only 6 weeks in and the fatigue is overwhelming. Plus distorted taste and constipation. Are you on a reduced dosage? Am currently on 4x150mg a day but don’t want to give up.

mrscruffy profile image
mrscruffy in reply toIan99

Have never had fatigue or distorted sense of taste but have experienced constipation but I have had that issue for a few years now. Doctor has me on fiber gummies and Miralax daily. The one that got was loss of breath from anemia. MO lowered dose to 3X150mg per day. Didn't effect efficacy of drug but helped with blood cell count. Going to ask MO if I can go to 2X150mg a day and see what happens. Over all I feel great on a daily basis. I can honestly say none of my treatments have kept me home in bed. Feeling lucky

Ian99 profile image
Ian99 in reply tomrscruffy

Thanks for your thoughts. It’s still a bit early for me but I’ll discuss a reduced dosage with the MO. Am also interested in doing a PARP1 trial as this seems to be more targeted and less toxic. Keep going, you seem to be handling it well.

mrscruffy profile image
mrscruffy in reply toIan99

Thanks, we got to keep on chugging along. Good luck to you moving forward

Seasid profile image
Seasid

Your could try 500 mg per day Silymarin natural PARP inhibitor exclusively from the seeds of the plant therefore no phytoestrogens.

in reply toSeasid

what is wrong with phytoestrogens?

Seasid profile image
Seasid in reply to

The prostate cancer could have also estrogen receptors parallel to the androgen receptors. That's why.

Seasid profile image
Seasid in reply toSeasid

See my post about it. I included the ChatGPT share about it cancer having estrogens receptors.

Seasid profile image
Seasid in reply to

Prostate cancer is primarily driven by androgens, which bind to androgen receptors (ARs) on prostate cancer cells, promoting their growth. However, estrogen receptors (ERs) can also be present in prostate tissues, including cancerous tissues. Phytoestrogens from milk thistle can interact with these estrogen receptors.

Here’s how phytoestrogens might affect prostate cancer:

1. **Estrogen Receptor Binding**: Phytoestrogens can bind to estrogen receptors in prostate tissue. Although prostate cancer is mainly driven by androgens, some cancer cells can express both androgen and estrogen receptors. Binding of phytoestrogens to estrogen receptors could potentially influence the behavior of these cells.

2. **Cross-Talk Between Receptors**: There is some evidence that estrogen receptor signaling can interact with androgen receptor signaling. This cross-talk could modulate the behavior of prostate cancer cells in complex ways, potentially impacting growth and progression.

3. **Balance of Hormonal Environment**: The overall hormonal environment, including levels of androgens and estrogens, can influence prostate cancer dynamics. By introducing phytoestrogens, the balance of hormonal signaling can shift, potentially affecting cancer progression.

Thus, even though prostate cancer primarily involves androgen receptors, the presence of estrogen receptors and the complex interplay between different hormonal pathways mean that substances like phytoestrogens in milk thistle could still impact the cancer’s behavior.

Seasid profile image
Seasid in reply toSeasid

Silymarin is primarily extracted from the seeds of the milk thistle plant and is known for its potential liver-protective properties. Concerns about estrogenic effects are generally associated with other parts of the plant, not the seeds. Therefore, using silymarin supplements specifically derived from milk thistle seeds should minimize the risk of estrogenic activity.

However, it's essential to consider the following:

1. **Source and Purity**: Ensure the silymarin supplement is derived exclusively from milk thistle seeds and check for third-party testing to confirm its purity.

2. **Consultation**: Discuss with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you have prostate cancer. They can provide personalized advice based on your medical history and current treatments.

3. **Dosage**: Follow recommended dosages and instructions provided by the manufacturer or your healthcare provider.

These steps can help ensure you're minimizing any potential risks while using silymarin.

Lawrencee profile image
Lawrencee in reply toSeasid

Seasid, could it be assumed that a BRCA ( BReastCAncer gene) mutation 1 or 2, could predispose a man's estrogenic disposition perhaps? Your Thoughts

in reply toLawrencee

I eat flaxseed and tofu, plus I drink soy milk. All of these foods are thought to be good for prostate cancer.

Seasid profile image
Seasid in reply to

I really don't know but if your cancer has estrogen receptors than even BAT will not help you without an add on to that like carboplatin what my oncologist is doing now parallel to BAT.

Seasid profile image
Seasid in reply toLawrencee

Yes, Purple+Bike said something like that but I can't recall exactly now what was it exactly. I just know that he stopped his treatment with estrogens because he has a BRCA mutation. I am not a doctor but you are welcome to ask the AI and then check with your doctor because unfortunately we can't fully rely on AI. I don't rely on anybody but myself. Of cause we have to ask the doctors but we have to be satisfied with the answer. It is not easy but possible if you do your research and ask for opinion etc.

in reply toSeasid

I can't find anything on phytoestrogens and BRCA2. I eat two tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseed and a cup of soy milk everyday. I have tofu on average of 3 times a week. Estrogen and Phytoestrogen are confused for the same thing. Thoughts?

Seasid profile image
Seasid in reply to

Could you please ask your doctor about your questions or maybe ChatGPT for the first iteration and later your doctor. I myself would not be concerned too much with eating healthy.

Seasid profile image
Seasid in reply toLawrencee

Q. could it be assumed that a BRCA ( BReastCAncer gene) mutation 1 or 2, could predispose a man's estrogenic disposition perhaps?

A. A BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation in men can indeed have significant implications for cancer risk, particularly for breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancers. However, the relationship between BRCA mutations and estrogenic disposition is less direct.

Men with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations are at higher risk for breast cancer, which is influenced by estrogen levels. This might suggest some link to hormonal regulation, but the mutation itself does not inherently cause increased estrogen levels or a predisposition to higher estrogenic activity.

For prostate cancer, BRCA mutations can lead to more aggressive forms of the disease, but this is more related to the gene's role in DNA repair mechanisms rather than a direct influence on estrogen levels.

Overall, while BRCA mutations can influence cancer risks that are hormonally driven, they do not necessarily predispose men to increased estrogenic activity by themselves. The relationship is more complex and involves interactions with other genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors.

Q. In a hormone sensitive metastatic prostate cancer setting with BRCA mutations would a treatment with high doses of estrogens have some dangers in comparison to the ADT treatment?

A. In a hormone-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer setting, especially with BRCA mutations, the use of high-dose estrogens as a treatment carries potential risks and considerations when compared to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).

1. **Mechanism and Risks of Estrogen Therapy**:

- **Estrogen therapy** can suppress testosterone levels and has been used historically for prostate cancer treatment. However, high-dose estrogen can have significant cardiovascular side effects, such as increased risks of thromboembolic events, heart attacks, and strokes.

- In the context of BRCA mutations, there might be additional concerns due to the potential interplay between estrogens and DNA repair mechanisms affected by these mutations, though specific data on this interaction in prostate cancer is limited.

2. **Mechanism and Risks of ADT**:

- **ADT** reduces androgen levels, which prostate cancer cells typically rely on for growth. ADT is a well-established and commonly used treatment for hormone-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer.

- While ADT also has side effects, including bone density loss, cardiovascular risks, metabolic changes, and impact on quality of life, these are relatively well-characterized and managed in clinical practice.

3. **BRCA Mutations Consideration**:

- **BRCA mutations** may make prostate cancer more aggressive and possibly influence the response to different treatments, including hormone therapies. There is evidence suggesting that BRCA-mutated prostate cancers might respond differently to various treatments, and they might benefit from additional therapies such as PARP inhibitors.

- Estrogen therapy's influence on BRCA-mutated prostate cancer is not well studied, and caution would be warranted due to the potential for adverse interactions with the mutation’s pathways.

4. **Clinical Evidence and Guidelines**:

- Current clinical guidelines predominantly recommend ADT for hormone-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer, sometimes in combination with other treatments (e.g., chemotherapy, second-generation androgen receptor inhibitors).

- High-dose estrogen therapy is not commonly used due to its side effect profile and the availability of other effective treatments.

Given the complexities and potential risks, especially with the presence of BRCA mutations, it is crucial to have a thorough discussion with an oncologist to understand the best treatment options tailored to the specific clinical scenario. The oncologist may consider genetic counseling and possibly incorporating targeted therapies that address the specific genetic profile of the cancer.

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n

Greetings,

Would you be kind enough to add to your bio for your benefit as well as ours. Thank you!

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

in reply toj-o-h-n

I have fallen twice in one month😜 but still feel gratitude towards a tough situation to be in.

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n

Been there, done that and have the bumps to prove it........Make sure when falling you protect your head. One of my friends suggested I wear a bicycle helmet at all times......... I asked him if I need one while I'm sleeping..... He replied only if my wife has a tendency to push me off the bed....(He happens to be a smart ass like me)....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

in reply toj-o-h-n

Humor is good

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n in reply to

Yes it is............ it keeps me going.........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Tumor Mutation Burden

Last genetic test has shwon TMB 10.86 and the orevious one (in March, 2023) showed the value of...

Sacrum tumor

Anyone have experience with a Sacrum tumor? Onc. wants to do a needle biopsy, then radiation but...
Pops78 profile image

Another Tumor

Met with the oncologist today to go over the CT scan from my trip to the ER a couple days ago. It...
tom67inMA profile image

Tumor Cholesterol Synthesis

New study below [1]. Cholesterol accumulation by solid tumors was noted a hundred years ago....
pjoshea13 profile image

Tumor Lysis Syndrome

Anyone have this happen after a treatment? I am well aware of all the symptoms and events but was...
PARKER3237 profile image

Moderation team

Bethishere profile image
BethishereAdministrator
Number6 profile image
Number6Administrator
Darryl profile image
DarrylPartner

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.