Does chemotherapy for prostate cancer work?

[wuwei37405]

Does chemotherapy for prostate cancer work?

[Tall_Allen]

Yes.. So far, the only kinds of chemo that delay progression are Taxotere (docetaxel) and Jevtana (cabazitaxel). Docetaxel is approved for men with metastases, whether hormone sensitive or castration resistant. Jevtana is approved for use after docetaxel.

[wuwei37405 in reply to Tall_Allen]

I appreciate you responding. I am hesitant to start chemotherapy (docetaxel) because of the reported side effects and my fear that it will not work. Unfortunately, it is the only therapy being offered to me.

[Tall_Allen in reply to wuwei37405]

You didn't say what your current diagnosis is.

[wuwei37405 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Metastatic prostate cancer in bones and liver. Present PSA is 18. It has been as low as 1 and as high as 138. Hormone therapy is no longer working. I am not a good candidate for immune therapy because the PSA is rising rapidly. At this point, chemotherapy is the only thing that I am being offered. I have had this disease for 20 years.

[Tall_Allen in reply to wuwei37405]

Chemo is certainly your best next therapy. Good idea to get a biopsy - liver or bone or both.

[wuwei37405 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thank you for your concern. I will post what happens to me. Could take several months before I get a clear indication.

[j-o-h-n in reply to wuwei37405]

In the future you should consider posting in H.U. "Advanced Prostate Cancer" instead of here.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 11/04/2020 10:16 PM EST

[wuwei37405 in reply to j-o-h-n]

Thank you. I will look for that link.

[cesces]

Seems to be working. But the chemo treatments can have severe side effects.

Also look at Bipolar androgen therapy.

[wuwei37405 in reply to cesces]

Have you had chemotherapy?

[cesces in reply to wuwei37405]

Not yet. Would probably try Bipolar androgen therapy first.

[wuwei37405 in reply to cesces]

Thank you. I will look into that.

[cesces in reply to wuwei37405]

Bipolar doesn't work for everyone, but when it works, it works well. Without too much side effect as half the time you are on a heavy dose of testosterone.

You can find more information in this forum.

The only docs willing to do it will likely be those who participated in the original Denemead study.

Dr. Sartor at Tulane is one of them.

[Lilith_lilith in reply to cesces]

Bipolar androgen therapy is same is hormone therapy?

[cesces in reply to Lilith_lilith]

No, it is almost the opposite. Instead of lowering testosterone you pump it way up, then drop it way low.

[TNCanuck in reply to wuwei37405]

My husband had six cycles of Docetaxel in 2017. Thanks to lots of tips and preparation, he tolerated it well. If you search this site for "avoiding Taxotere chemo side effects" you'll find my post about avoiding/minimizing side effects.

[wuwei37405 in reply to TNCanuck]

Thank you. I will check it out. Sounds encouraging.