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Firmagon and IMRT on the agenda

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 10/1/2010 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
I saw the RO yesterday to get the results of my scans over the past week (CT, bone, and prostascint). The CT showed an enlarged node, but it didn't light up at all on the prostascint so there's a good chance it's benign. The prostascint showed problem areas in the area where the apex of the prostate was, so that's the radiation target for now. So much for any hope of the portions of the nerves that were saved (about 40% each side) and the nerve grafts I had done. :( The prostascint also indicated a node in the femoral area, but the RO thinks that's likely a false positive because it's not an area where the Ca generally spreads from the prostate.

His recommendations are a round of IMRT and monthly firmagon injections. From what little I've read so far, I like the sound of firmagon better than lupron/casodex.
Posted 10/1/2010 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
That should be called brand name Degarelix (GnRH), has no flare issues and may even prove to be alittle better than Lupron (LHRH). Thus you don't have to take casodex for 14 days prior to prevent 'T'-flare issues. Make sure you drink your water ahead of radiation sessions as they will mention. Should go well for you, probably you should do the drug atleast 3 months prior to radiation or longer (which is suggested alot when using LHRH), this is kind of the protocol following Bolla Abstract Studies. It does rendered better results, comparatively.
What is their duration on drug prior to radiations???
Posted 10/2/2010 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
I'll have to check into that study. The RO was talking about starting me on radiation by the end of October, and said HT could start at any time. My CT to prepare for the RT is scheduled in about 3 weeks.

I'm also digging for more info about proton beam radiation. Right now the nearest center is over 4 hrs away, but I just learned today that one is supposed to open locally within 6-12 months. Not sure whether or not it's a good idea to wait that long.

Posted 10/2/2010 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
"This is an important new step for the treatment of advanced, hormone-dependent prostate cancer, with FIRMAGON® offering a new option and hope for many patients," comments John Anderson, Consultant Urological Surgeon, The Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom. "Our goal is to achieve fast and sustained reduction in testosterone levels, and FIRMAGON® offers a rapid impact which is comparable to the immediacy achieved by surgery."

The European launch of FIRMAGON® follows the decision of the European Commission to grant marketing authorisation in the European Union last month. This approval was based on pivotal Phase III studies where FIRMAGON® produced a reduction in levels of testosterone1,2 below 0.5ng/ml within three days in more than 96% of study patients.2 Testosterone plays a major role in the growth and spread of prostate cancer cells, and the data showed FIRMAGON® provided a fast reduction of testosterone to very low levels, close to the immediate effect achieved with surgery (orchidectomy).2,3 This effect was sustained over the whole study period.

In clinical trials FIRMAGON® was generally well tolerated. Common side effects are hot flushes, injection site pain and erythema, increased weight, nasopharyngitis, fatigue and back pain.

I don't know if Proton is suitable for salvage therapy...Too large an area perhaps..
Posted 10/2/2010 12:15 PM (GMT 0)
I didn't know you already had surgery, so that makes things a little different as to time frames and other stuff. Good to see some docs using Degarelix/firmagon
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