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Originally Posted by jobcase  Just to keep everyone up to speed, I just received my second shot of Lupron (this one is three months) my PSA has dropped from 200,59 to 95.1 in one month. The prostate cancer has metastasized into my left pelvic bone and lymph nodes. Staying the course, not getting much info from the doctor. Where do I go from here? |
Paul (Jobcase)
I would recommend you to get answers from your doctor. You should inquire on the details of the HT protocol regarding drugs, follow up tests and their intervals. You should also be aware of the risks and side effects the treatment may cause.
I do not know your age but you should be prepared against bone loss and any related heart and liver health. Lupron is working as shown in the decreasing PSA. This happens because the testosterone circulating in your body is low and probably at castration levels (lower than 30 ng/dl or 0.3 ng/ml). You can check that with a testosterone test.
Hypogonadism will cause many symptoms similar to women menopause. You can inquire with your wife and read the list of the side effects searching in the site of the drug. The status also puts patients on the risk for heart disease and diabetes.
If the arrest with Lupron shows to be not sufficient then you need to add other drugs such as antiandrogens and 5-alfa reductase inhibitors to cut the androgen feeding to cancer.
Your confirmed metastases to bone place you in high risk for systemic disease. You need to address the problem the soonest and start taking medication to stop spread. Allen above indicates some possibilities that you should discuss with your doctor.
Each patient reacts differently to the drugs. Some experience nasty symptoms and in some they are mild. Fortunately I have been lucky in that matter.
I am on hormonal treatment since November of 2010. My protocol was for a mono blockade with Eligard 6-month shots. HT was planned by my doctor for intermittent administration with on/off periods regulated by threshold PSAs and symptoms along the progress of the treatment. The drug’s effectiveness is been verified with periodical testosterone tests. Cancer progress is checked through PSA tests done every 3-month. Annual BCG, bone density scan and lipids help in certifying my body response to the castration levels.
A fitness program of daily walks, swimming and golf on weekends has helped me in countering the side effects. I am also careful with my diet.
You can check about my history in this thread and its links;
http://www.healthboards.com/boards/cancer-prostate/916538-recovery-hormonal-therapy-my-latest-results.html
Try to research in the net about similar cases to yours. ADT3since2000 explains well about HT side effects in this link;
http://www.healthboards.com/boards/cancer-prostate/738683-hormonal-therapy-side-effects-likelihood-seriousness-countermeasures.html
Wishing you luck in your journey.
Baptista
