My father's Prostate Cancer returned after seed implant

Noniu
Noniu Member Posts: 45
edited March 2014 in Prostate Cancer #1
My father is 79 years of ago, had the seed implant in 2002. In 2007 the PSA level started to go up. His Urologist did not know what happening. After examining him, he said everything looked ok. Recommended him to a bone scan, it came out normal. The PSA level continue to raise, than he sent him to an Oncologist. The Oncologist told my father that he had to wait to the cancer to spread. I decided to take my father to another urologist, this new Doctor suggested a biopsy to locate the cancer being it was not showing in the bones. The biopsy showed no trace of the cancer, then he did a second one within one month, it had the same results. If it was localized the Urologist was planning to freeze the prostate, it was too late. The Doctor started my father on hormone therapy again(on his arm). The PSA level went down a lot, a year passed and had the hormone(on his arm) replaced. Then in the summer he sent him for a Bone Scan, it came out positive. Now he sends him to see a Oncologist. My father is reluctant to get chemotherapy, he recommended Casodex once a day, his PSA level was controlled, but did not go down enough, then he put in a higher dosage(Nilandron), it was bringing the PSA, but was making my father very sick, he stopped it and went back to Casodex 100 miligrams a day. My father's next visit will be on the 13th of this month. On that day his PSA level will be check...Provenge is now approved, it's very costly and not available yet. Although my father is almost 80 years old, physically and mentally is looks like his was in his 60's. It's so painful to see him day little by little, it hurts so much that I cannot do anything for him to live longer.

Comments

  • nymets1
    nymets1 Member Posts: 26
    #2
    Noniu,
    Tough situation being
    Noniu,

    Tough situation being your Dad is nearly 80. I understand your Dad's reluctance to go on chemo as the chemo itself could hurt him more than just doing nothing. Some other potent medicines may also be too potent (ketaconazole, DES, etc).

    Before I go on, I will say I am not an alternative medicine fanatic but I do believe taking action on diet and taking supplements may be the only thing that may give your Dad a bit more life, without making him worse off by the medicine, itself.

    If your Dad can get Provenge, it may be very much worth a try.

    I wish your Dad the best of luck and for both of you, not to give up.
  • Trew
    Trew Member Posts: 932 Member
    #3
    I hope you don't do a lot of
    Noniu, I hope you don't do a lot of second guessing on your father's treatment of choice. PC is a tough cancer and it comes back after surgery, too, sometimes. Some on here are a lot younger than your dad and they are struggling with PC the 2nd time around also. And it's very hard to watch someone going through the progression of PC. Both you and your dad have my sympathy and the sympathy of others on these boards.
  • onlylove
    onlylove Member Posts: 1
    #4
    Have any of the doctors suggested this?
    Been reading a book by a Medical Oncologist, Dr. Stephen B Strum. "A Primer on Prostate Cancer" ... The empowered patient's guide. In the section about ADT Androgen Deprivation Therapy he says that if the cancer is ADPC (Androgen Dependant) then the cells need Testosterone to stay alive, pg129-130. And among other treatment ideas he mentions that an orchiectomy (castration) will eliminate the production of testosterone and thus any living cancer cells in the body. Get yourself a copy or the local library may have one. I'm pretty new to this and know nothing of the drugs you mentioned. So i may be totally off if his diagnosis is different. Good luck.
  • Mitch128
    Mitch128 Member Posts: 20
    #5
    onlylove said:

    Have any of the doctors suggested this?
    Been reading a book by a Medical Oncologist, Dr. Stephen B Strum. "A Primer on Prostate Cancer" ... The empowered patient's guide. In the section about ADT Androgen Deprivation Therapy he says that if the cancer is ADPC (Androgen Dependant) then the cells need Testosterone to stay alive, pg129-130. And among other treatment ideas he mentions that an orchiectomy (castration) will eliminate the production of testosterone and thus any living cancer cells in the body. Get yourself a copy or the local library may have one. I'm pretty new to this and know nothing of the drugs you mentioned. So i may be totally off if his diagnosis is different. Good luck.

    Have any of the doctors suggested this?
    <<.... he mentions that an orchiectomy (castration) will eliminate the production of testosterone and thus any living cancer cells in the body>>

    I wish Dr. Strum's statement was correct but, unfortunately, it is not.

    My understanding is that the bi-lateral Orchiectomy procedure (which I had performed on March 15, 2010) will only temporarily curtail testosterone production. After a certain (variable) period a man's body will begin to defensively produce testosterone from both the adrenal gland and areas, if any, of bone metastisis.

    This is why introduction of Intermittent Adrogen Hormone Therapy (IADT) is critical once a post-op base-line PSA is determined (hopefully <.01) at the 5 to 6 month time-frame. Otherwise the PCa will become hormone refractory much faster than with no Intermal Medicine Oncologist planned treatment approach.

    I've accepted the medical fact that at some point (two to five years) the PCa will become hormone refractory regardless of treatment. In the meantime, my focus is on maintaining a good quality of life without imposing further burden on my loved ones by virtue of a relaxed, positive attitude.

    Mitch

    dx PCa October 15, 2009. Gleason 4+4 = 8, Stage T2bM0
  • Noniu
    Noniu Member Posts: 45
    #6
    Mitch128 said:

    Have any of the doctors suggested this?
    <<.... he mentions that an orchiectomy (castration) will eliminate the production of testosterone and thus any living cancer cells in the body>>

    I wish Dr. Strum's statement was correct but, unfortunately, it is not.

    My understanding is that the bi-lateral Orchiectomy procedure (which I had performed on March 15, 2010) will only temporarily curtail testosterone production. After a certain (variable) period a man's body will begin to defensively produce testosterone from both the adrenal gland and areas, if any, of bone metastisis.

    This is why introduction of Intermittent Adrogen Hormone Therapy (IADT) is critical once a post-op base-line PSA is determined (hopefully <.01) at the 5 to 6 month time-frame. Otherwise the PCa will become hormone refractory much faster than with no Intermal Medicine Oncologist planned treatment approach.

    I've accepted the medical fact that at some point (two to five years) the PCa will become hormone refractory regardless of treatment. In the meantime, my focus is on maintaining a good quality of life without imposing further burden on my loved ones by virtue of a relaxed, positive attitude.

    Mitch

    dx PCa October 15, 2009. Gleason 4+4 = 8, Stage T2bM0</p>

    Just a big thank you...
    Many thanks for the advises, suggestions, support and encouraging words, it's great appreciated. My father has an appointment with the Oncology on Thursday, for Zometa therapy, physical and bloodwork.

    When I first wrote on this Board I forgot to mention his cancer stage, which is Stage IV, T2, N0, M1b.

    I am not sure if his insurance will pay for Provence. My intention was to take him to Sloagan Ketting in New York, but the hospital does not take his insurance. He goes to the Cancer Center at Hackensack University Hospital in New Jersey. His Doctor is good, my fahter seems happy with him, he does not want any more opinion. He says it's too later now and other doctors will give him the same diagnosis.

    i wish all of you luck in this difficult journey, just be positive and try to enjoy life and family as much you can.

    Good bless you!

    Noniu

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