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Welcome new member FMRMONTAIGNE - advanced G9 seeking advice

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Posted 1/28/2014 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
This was posted by Fidelio on the G9 crew thread, so I'm reposting it here for him to get direct feedback.  He is asking some specifics about treatment for his advanced G9 case. 

I´m scared of my recent (5/13) DX of Pca. , learned because bone pain, while I was in gout treatment.
My onc. ( Doc) Proposal for next moth therapy is chemo. My PSA was 150 at first Dx., after HT descend dramatically –and fortunately- to 0.27, and 8 months after is rising to 3,11. (I show my scores)
For patients in advanced PCa,castration resistant, according biologists and medical practitioners, the most encouraging news come from cell therapy.
We can see overall the Stem cells treatments or autologous “vaccines” are promising, but of scarce results by now, specially in metastatic condition.
I live in Europe, and Estipuleucel-T still inapplicable, at least in Spain.
My goal–shared for the majority of this forum- is extend my life with quality of life as many years as possible.
I know, reading some post, the tumours have unpredictable behaviour.There are so different responses as individuals.
So I would like learn some experiences of people of this “crew” in similar position, and I would be very grateful if let´s me know about it.
Chemo theraphy , as far as I know, weaken the organism. In this circumstances , can the cell therapies (existing or futures :vaccines, stem cells, etc.) be effectives?

Fidelio

Age: 68
Dx PCa 5/13 – PSA 150 –Mets. Bone / 4
Gleason -- 4+5 (9)
HT, ZOLADEX & CASODEX
7/13 -- 2- months post treatment PSA 0.27, 11/13 PSA 0,33, 1/14 PSA 1,28 LAST 23/1/14 PSA 3,11.
DIET :mediterranean: vegetables, fruits, blue fish, olive

Posted 1/28/2014 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
Fidelio,

Welcome to HW from a G9'r whom has similar stats as you do. At some point your doc may suggest stopping the Casodex. For some that has shown to have a positive response and can actually cause your PSA to drop. It did not for me, but it is sure was worth a try at some point.

I'm not sure what therapies are available to you in Europe? but Zytiga (abiraterone) is a drug available in the US and is showing great results for some. I was fortunate to get into a clinical trial here in the US, where one of the drugs is XTANDI (enzalutamide); not sure of that drugs availability in Europe either? I'm less than a month into the trial and am starting to feel some improvements in urinary symptoms, but have not gotten any test results results yet.

If it is of any help you can check out my full story at www.yananow.org/display_story.php?id=1313 or en.myprostate.eu/?req=user&id=514&page=report

Do you know of any other treatments available to you other than chemo?

My best to you,
Don
Posted 1/29/2014 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
Fidelio

Welcome to HW.

I am also a member of the G9 club (diagnosed a year ago) although I am not officially on the list.

Recovering from RP now and will be updating my signature with pathology when I begin to understand what it means... :-) :-)
Posted 1/29/2014 5:08 AM (GMT 0)
If you do become t4stosterone resistant for I believe 3 consecutive PSA tests, that opens up doors to clinical trials that were closed when you are responding well to hormonal therapy.

Also a whole slew of treatments, Xtandi, Zytiga, Provenge, Xofigo(Radium223) and more.

On the latter I have only read about them as at the moment I remain testosterone resistant.

LupronJim
Posted 1/29/2014 7:18 AM (GMT 0)
Fidelio, as your doctors whether the three medications released for advanced PC in the last few years are available in Spain. They are Zytiga, Xtandi and Xofigo. Each one is showing great results (better overall survival time, progression-free survival, better life quality) with advanced patients. Taxotere (chemo) is definitely available in Spain. Most vaccines are still in the testing stage.

But before all that, one older medication (anti-fungal agent) ketokonazole has been used as second-line hormonal therapy, and your doctor probably knows this. It has helped many. Good luck.
Posted 1/29/2014 11:49 AM (GMT 0)
Fidelio,

All of the advice offered hence far has been sound and very valuable. Special lady raises an excellent possibility. Ketoconazole can be a very effective drug in your setting. It's usually readily available, relatively inexpensive and it can allow you more time to seek out more complex treatment plans. It worked well for me. I would discuss with your physician.

Jim
Posted 1/29/2014 12:46 PM (GMT 0)

Gunner34 said...
Fidelio

Welcome to HW.

I am also a member of the G9 club (diagnosed a year ago) although I am not officially on the list.

Recovering from RP now and will be updating my signature with pathology when I begin to understand what it means... :-) :-)

Gunner34, along with FMRMONTAIGNE, you're on the list now (and don't we wish to high heavens you weren't!). Sorry I missed adding you earlier.

Members of the least favorite chapter of the least favorite club, but we're here for each other! Hang in there, guys.
Posted 2/4/2014 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
For all members of the CREW,

Thank you all for your useful advises.
Here I drop some detail of my PCa history.

Let´s keep in contact.

Fidelio
How did I find out?: For two years – at age 66- I was in medical treatment of gout, under surveillance of my rheumatologist, that’s when I interrupted Yearly routine checks from my 50’s. PSA baseline should be normal at my age, because the only health risk the family physician advise me was hypertension and cholesterolemya.
In a work trip, 4/13, I noticed a sharp groin pain. Initially I thought it was an attack of gout. Back home the pain persisted and 15 days later scheduled visit with my Dr. (Rheumatologist). Unfortunately she was at a professional congress in USA (I live in Spain), and the visit was delayed more than a month.
While she examining me with a kind of scanner, could tell by the look of his face that there was something serious.
I managed the immediate admission to hospital and the nest week I had the frightening diagnosis: Prostate cancer, 9 Gl., 150 PSA, 6/13 at age 68, biopsy/posit.
Unaware of a family history of cancer (prostate or others). My father is 96 old and is in perfect physical and mental health: He Wins his sons and grandchilds in chess games. My mother dies at 89 y. probably of Alzheimer.

How did I choose treatment?: The urologist of the hospital dismisses surgery, and decided hormone therapy (HT) ZOLADEX and CASODEX every 3 months.

How am I doing? Currently on a HT (9 months). I aware that in my situation I do not have much ammunition. I’m open also to new clinical trials, and fight my illness with all available weapons. Hopeful and encouraging.

Fidelio
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