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Its been a while and news is not good *UPDATE 4/26*

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 4/17/2013 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Everyone,

I am fairly new to HW even though I discovered you about a year ago as I haven't posted much. Here is a quick summary. My FIL was diagnosed 01/2012 PSA 54 and G9 (not sure if it was 5+4 or 4+5) with Lymph node and bone mets. on spine, skull, shoulder, hip. Started on HT and responded OK initially, PSA down to 27..once that stopped working (Oct 2012) he started chemo. He has been on chemo and recently he was dong it every 3 weeks. As of 03/18 PSA was the highest it had ever been, 800..now 3 weeks later it is well over 1000. He has another Dr appt 04/26 for PSA and if it is still high, they will not do chemo again..FWIW, he appears to be depressed, tired sleeping quite a bit and can't concentrate, even though he continues to work...

My MIL feels that he is nearing the end and has confided in me she thinks it won't be long, maybe 3-6 months?


What would be the next option? I know you are not Doctors, but any insught would be appreciated.

Thanks, Stacey

Post Edited (BJs DIL) : 4/29/2013 11:04:59 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/17/2013 11:15 PM (GMT 0)
Your husband needs to to go to a world class prostate cancer center, like yesterday and get a topnotch oncologist. There is treatment out there, provenge, comes to mind. the news is not good but real hope lies in what I stated. He will not be treated successfully in a small town hospital. My opinion only and have no medical experience, but good common sense.
Posted 4/17/2013 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
There are a few specialists in aggressive cases of PCa who take on the toughest cases. Dr Kwon at Mayo is one.

There are also clinical trials of upcoming meds that sometimes can help in cases like your father-in-law's. XL184 is one drug that comes to mind that has shown great promise.

Those are the battlegrounds for this stage of the fight. God bless you all.

Ray
Posted 4/17/2013 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
Have you considered second line hormonal therapy?

http://www.ustoo.org/VideoFiles/Charles_Myers/Charles_Myers_Presentation_UsTOO.pdf
Posted 4/18/2013 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
Radium 223 is an option for bone mets..clinical trials in a lot of places.
Posted 4/18/2013 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
Zytiga, xandi, Provenge, Zometa for bones, xl 184 radium 223 tak-700 second line hormones. javtana so many options. Todd
Posted 4/18/2013 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
Can only hope he find's a new "plan" to combat this serious development. Best of luck and hope to him and his family.

david
Posted 4/18/2013 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
Stacey....I'll echo what todd says....Im in the same boat as your FIL and there are other options. Zytiga/prednisone is one....radium223 is another for bone mets....not sure he still qualifys for provenge but might. Anyway I was told to keep chemo until the end as a last option. good luck
Posted 4/18/2013 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
Prayers sent his way Stacey . Very Good advice here from very well experienced guys. Stay strong and believe.

Don
Posted 4/18/2013 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all of the responses. Its really hard to deal with this as I and they are 2 different people. I am very proactive and crave information, they sort of go with what the Dr says and they do not ask too many questions. I am at a crossroads as their insurance will allow them to go anywhere, but they choose to stay local, I feel they are not doing all they can...But since they are my in-laws, I am limited in how interactive I can be. I have talked with my husband and he feels they are handling it the way they want and I should respect that (which I do).

I really do apprecite you "guys" and gals with your inforamtion. I am planning on printing this out or at least writing down your advice and having them take that to the Dr when they go on the 26th.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Posted 4/29/2013 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Again,

Well, thanks again for the info. To answer some questions...FIL has already had HT (did not work) and became Hormone refractive...He has already done: Zytiga, Zometa, Jevtana and Prednsone. I am sure there is more he has done as well.

He had a Dr appt. this past fri (4/26) and they have decided to stop chemo and pursue radiation. He has also a referral for a scan to check the spread of the cancer. It was already in his lymph nodes, spine, skull, hip, shoulder and ribs. We are now fearing that it has spread to soft tissues and it is just a matter of time maybe 2-3 months. They will know more once the scan is done and reviewed.

What can you tell me about radiation? what are the side effects? is it worth doing? Does it usually mean that time is limited once radiation starts? According to my MIL she feels that it is going to be soon..and this is the final stage, more of palliative care at this point.
Posted 4/29/2013 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Stacey...once again sorry for your FIL. I see you said you tried Zytiga/pred already....have you heard of radium 223. That's another new thing and a possiblility to add months if not years to life. Its a treatment for Bone mets.

I was put in for a clinical trial for it and will be doing that next. At this point, as is with all advanced cancer...its not a cure but how long you can extend survival. Another possibility is provenge, although not sure he qualifies if hes getting radiation soon. I assume his radiation is to the bones for pain relief...or is it to the prostate? There are other new things out there, don't give up hope. Good luck, Chris
Posted 4/29/2013 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
Thank Casper319, I will have them ask about Radium 223.

Does anyone know where the radiation falls in the spectrum of treatments? is it the last, alternative?
Posted 4/30/2013 9:16 AM (GMT 0)
Stacey, I am so sorry your FIL is going through so much.  I know it must be hard on your MIL and we will pray for your family.   Sorry to see his PSA rising.  I hope you get the answer you seek.  It seems your MIL is preparing for the worse.  God bless your family!
Posted 3/11/2014 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
Just to give an update, I know its been a long time, but in case anyone is searching.

My Father-in-law lost his battle with Prostate Cancer September 13, 2013.

He went into the hopsital August 20, 2013 and came home Sept 2, 2013 with Hospice and he hung on for 11 days.

Sincerely,
Stacey
Posted 3/11/2014 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
Stacey,

So sorry to read of the death of your F.I.L this past August. At least he's no longer in pain from the savages of prostate cancer. May he rest in peace.

David
Posted 3/12/2014 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Stacey,

Very sorry to read of your FIL passing. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Dave in Bartlett, TN
Posted 3/12/2014 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
So sorry. :(
Posted 3/12/2014 4:52 AM (GMT 0)
My sympathies go to you and your family.

Tim
Posted 3/13/2014 10:09 AM (GMT 0)
Stacey, sorry to hear this news.
Posted 3/14/2014 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
Very sorry Stacy, my father lost his battle on that very day. His PSA at the time was 2800+.
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