Prostate Cancer into Bladder Cancer

[DRBlack]

Has anyone had prostate cancer found in the bladder. I understand that it is rare. I was just diagnosed with a prostate cancer tumor in my bladder. It is very aggressive. Not sure what my options are. Any suggestions?

[AlanMeyer Moderator]

I'm not knowledgeable enough to give you any medical advice but I have some suggestions.

First, your cancer is now "advanced" and metastatic. I recommend that you join the "Advanced Prostate Cancer" group on HealthUnlocked where there are many people who have been dealing with metastatic cancer. Some of them are very knowledgeable and many have useful experience.

Second, be sure you're getting the best professional help that you can get. If you are in the U.S., one source for information on cancer treatment centers is the National Cancer Institute list of "Designated Cancer Centers". These are places, mostly university hospitals but also some other centers, that do research as well as treatment. Here is the NCI info about them:

cancer.gov/research/nci-rol...

When dealing with something very serious, and metastatic cancer certainly qualifies as serious, it's a good idea to get a second opinion on diagnosis and treatment. The NCI list might be a good place to look even if you're happy with your current oncologist.

I don't know what treatment you've had so far, if any, however I presume that you are going to want to start treatment with prostate cancer drugs ASAP. You might start to get familiar with Androgen Deprivation Therapy, also known as Hormone Therapy, and also Chemotherapy - which is a different type of drug treatment. The doctors may recommend these treatments and if you already know something about them you'll be better able to ask questions.

Combination treatments have been found to be more effective than individual drug treatments for aggressive cancers. The most common such treatments today are probably Lupron + Zytiga and Lupron + Taxotere. Some doctors are now using Firmagon instead of Lupron - it's a more powerful and faster acting drug, or Xtandi instead of Zytiga or Taxotere.

These are pretty powerful treatments and will involve side effects. However there are many men on the Advanced Prostate Cancer group who have survived for years on these kinds of treatments without any advance of their cancers.

I think that your goal should be to get the best treatment you can, to stay alive, and to maintain a reasonable quality of life. It's an attainable goal for many men even with quite aggressive cancers. And the longer you can make it work, the more likely you are to benefit from newer drugs that will come on the market in the coming years.

I wish you the best of luck.

Alan

[DRBlack in reply to AlanMeyer]

Thanks for your reply. I'm in South Carolina. Currently on Zytiga & Lupron but the prostate cancer has spread to my bladder & increased 20%. Going to Cancer Treatment Centers of America & they're recommending removal of my bladder. Where would you recommend i go for a second opinion?

[AlanMeyer Moderator in reply to DRBlack]

Here is the NCI web page on the Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston:

cancer.gov/research/nci-rol...

I notice that the page names "genitourinary cancer" as one of their program areas. That would indicate expertise in both prostate cancer and cancer in the bladder.

There are also three NCI designated cancer centers in North Carolina and one in Atlanta. See the link in my posting above or post a message here if you have any trouble with it.

I don't know anyone in any of these places so perhaps someone else who does can suggest specific doctors that they can recommend near you.

I also suggest posting the query in the Advanced Prostate Cancer forum. Tell people about your current situation - treatment you've had and the recommendation to have your bladder removed.

I suggest calling the Hollings center, if that's the closest, and explain your situation to someone on the phone to see if you can get an appointment soon with someone who can discuss all of the options, including surgery and radiation as well as further drug treatment.

I also suggest contacting Cancer Treatment Centers of America to find out about getting all of the records for your case. Ideally, you want to get copies that can be mailed or carried to wherever you can get an appointment. Some places will give their patients a DVD that has all their records on it, including x-ray, MRI, and other scan images. That's ideal because everything is on one disc, you can copy the DVD yourself, and you can send the records to multiple places.

Let us know what happens.

Best of luck.

Alan

[SsgCulldelight]

Urology oncology, there are many options open to you, don't settle for less than the best, you must know that it's not about MONEY, it's about extending your life. Search and research my FRIEND, comfort and quality is paramount, so don't let them tell you that they don't do that here or whatever.