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Posted 6/24/2008 7:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Steve,

The whole point of the trial is to see if giving chemo earlier will be of benefit, no one knows, so my taking chemo may just help you later on (you can thank me then!!)

This is a well informed link to the trial and its basis (I am on Arm 5)

http://www.stampede.bham.ac.uk/

There are so many unknowns in this position and hopefully the trial will clear some things up. My consultant here does not think triple block is the way to go and it seems not to be adopted here in Europe very much. I cant recal why now, he did say at the time but it wasnt relevant so I didnt 'log it' in my head. If I remember I will ask on my next trip for the chemo in a few weeks. He may of course have been talking garbage and keeping me in track for his trial..... not that I mind as I negotiated my way onto the trial anyway. It should really be for 'proven' systemics, I am not one of those at this time.

In conjunction with the bovine milk and IGF-1, I also found that sugar is something which feeds the cancers too. Apparently during a PET scan, the cancers can be seen to 'feed' hungrily on sugary drinks/solutions in real time.... needles to say all added sugars and sugary things have gone too

cheers

Rob
Posted 6/25/2008 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Rib,

 

Very interesting STAMPEDE trial. Wishing you all the best and please keep us updated on the results. I see the trial will take 6~10 years to complete.

 

I would be the first to say that Intermittent Triple Androgen Blockade Therapy (using Zoladex, Casodex, and Avodart or Proscar) is definitely NOT a mainstream option for PCa. I fully expect your doc to pooh pooh the idea, because docs are trained to think according to what they've been taught in medical school. I'd still be interested in what your doc thinks about it, and if he can refer to any studies (facts) rather than just personal opinions.

The original ASCO abstract which put me on to this is at . . .

 

http://www.asco.org/ASCO/Abstracts+%26+Virtual+Meeting/Abstracts?&vmview=abst_detail_view&confid=37&abstractid=20271

 

The radiation oncologist I spoke to suggested RT + High Dose Brachytherapy (using the "Kiel Protocol"). 10-year survival was estimated as 93% with PSA remission 73%. That means a PSA failure rate of 27%. Hmmmm - compare that with the TAB results. Also consider quality of life issues (ED, Incontinence) and any negative effects of TAB are reversible and I get to keep all my body parts intact. I can always change my mind later and go for mainstream remedies.

 

Sugar - Yes, I have also elliminated as much sugar as possible. You might also consider the pH of the body. Cancer loves an acidic environment so alternative therapies try to increase the alkalinity of the body by diet and supplements. Since the subject of alternative therapies is somewhat outside the scope of this discussion group, you (and others) are very welcome to email me directly at taiping194 (at) gmail (dot) com.

 

By the way, when I spoke to the urologist at the local government teaching hospital in Thailand about TAB he said in effect "We do it a different way here. . . ." and when I offered to send him info on what I'm doing he was plainly not interested so I just kept quiet.

 

Regards,

Steve

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Posted 6/25/2008 6:34 AM (GMT 0)
I have had a quick read but off to work soon so cant study right now. The first thing which hit me was the 'clinically localised' aspect. In the UK, if it is clinically localised they are offering radiotherapy or brachytherapy which might explain why they pooh pooh the idea of TAB. If it non-localised then chemo is given. All therapies in the UK as far as I am aware include hormone treatment to reduce/stop testosterone production.

I am aware of someone through a friend in California who is over 70 and had the PC for over 10 years now. He is on his 3rd TAB therapy and has a PSA of under 1. His tumour has all but disappeared from both sides and his outlook is good, so maybe it is something we need to be more aware of over here. I will find out why the consultant was not in favour and let you know

Rob
Posted 6/25/2008 7:26 AM (GMT 0)
They probably do HT + RT because I understand that clinical triels have proved that for high risk patients . . .

Radiation + Hormone Therapy is better than Radiation alone.

Radical Prostatectomy + Hormone Therapy is better than Radiation alone.

 

But what about the question . . .

Radiation + Hormone Blockade versus Hormone Blockade alone?

 

This question has not yet been answered according to Dr Steven Tucker who wrote the TAB abstract with Dr. Liebowitz. I'm being treated by Dr Tucker who now has a practice in Singapore, and he explained this to me last year.

 

Steve

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Posted 6/25/2008 7:28 AM (GMT 0)
Correction:

4th line should have been . . .

Radical Prostatectomy + Hormone Therapy is better than Radical Prostatectomy alone.

 

Steve

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Posted 6/25/2008 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
BUT... some other questions and combinations......

is radiation + Hormone Blockade better than Radiation + Hormone Therapy?
is Hormone Blockade alone better than Hormone Therapy alone?

I think these are the questions my consultant was referring to. I will ask him when I next see him.

To be honest, whatever treatment is offered/suitable is so personal and dependent on many things that it is difficult to match one single answer for the conditions of all.

I think that conventional treatment (hormone + something) along with some help from alternative/complimentary treatment is probably the best way forward for alot of people. Even then, some may be too high a risk that alternative may not work. Even if they are not a high risk, there is no guarantee that any one alternative treatment will work better for one person that for another.

Very difficult. My own personal answer was to take as many of the facts as I could in the first few weeks and turn them into something that I was happy with and that I could financially and mentally sustain. A very difficult balance but I am happy with the treatment I am on (and results too which is bonus!!)

cheers

Rob
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