Extensive bone mets

Daddysgirl25
Daddysgirl25 Member Posts: 29
in Prostate Cancer #1
Hi. My dad was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. It is a Gleason 8 with extensive bone mets. He is 66 years ols with a lot of life to live. I have been reading these blogs for the past 2 months and have found a lot iof comfort from reading all of your stories. My dad never went to the doctor until he had lost 30+ lbs in 3 months. Anyway they finally diagnosed him with an advanced aggressive form of prostate cancer. He was given I
One shot of Lupron and then was switched to firmagon with an xgeva shot to help strengthen his bones. He started to feel better and started eatibg agsin. He was not given the option of surgery or radiation. He was only given the option of ht. We went to get a second opinion at Cleveland clinic in weston, Florida and the urologic oncologist there agreed with the initial course of treatment. I just want to make sure that I'm doing everything possible to ensure my dad is being treated with the most effective treatment out there for his situation. There are so many treatment options and I'm feeling overwhelmed. Should we be looking into radiation? The doctors say no. He has had some bone pain but feels better after taking aleve. Only other discomfort is the hot flashes from the firmagon. Next week will be his third shot. Please give me any advice that you may have. I want to do everything that I can to take care of my dad.

Comments

  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama Member Posts: 3,701 Member
    #2
    His doctor is doing the right thing
    Daddysgirl

    I am happy to see you so involved in your fathers ‘care. His advanced case will need your help and I believe, as a layman, that his doctor is doing the right thing.
    Radiation therapy is a treatment done to targets, and doctors will delivery it once they are certain that the cancer is at that particular spot. Radiation however is not a treatment to be repeated to the same place (over and over) because it would damage the localized body tissue (it could open a hole in an organ). Radiation and surgery are not treatments indicated to patients with confirmed metastasis too.
    Doctors prefer to reserve RT for later (if needed) localized spots such as at bone when other treatment (drugs) are no more effective and pain becomes unbearable. There is always a tendency of delaying the procedure to a date when really it is needed.

    Xgeva (denosumab) is a newer monoclonal antibody drug which is claimed to be better than bisphosphonates (Zometa) in treating metastasis to bone. The side effects are similar which includes; lower blood calcium and osteonecrosis of the jaw (disease resulting from reduced blood flow to the jaw). This drug will improve his bone reconstruction and it will “attack” the cancer directly. As you reported, your father is feeling the good effects already.
    There are reports on cases of metastasis to bone where these types of drugs have reverse the course of the cancer.

    The side effects from HT are something annoying that he should try to handle by restricting his diet and supplements. Sufficiency on vitamin D and physical exercise seems to be very important in metastasis cases. His doctor can also recommend him over-the-counter drugs to handle some of the side effects. My opinion in regards to osteonecrosis of the jaw is that he should visit a dentist for a checkup now, and that he should include a visit in his periodical tests too.

    I would recommend you to read the book "Beating Prostate Cancer: Hormonal Therapy & Diet" written by the renowned prostate cancer oncologist and survivor, Dr Charles "Snuffy" Myers. This includes all your father needs to know about his diagnosis status and more.

    In this site there is an article about a research which hypothesized that prostate cancer cells might travel to the bone marrow where they keep dormant for years. Drugs similar to denosumab (Xgeva) are developed to avoid cancers from returning in the bone; You can read it here;
    http://www.pcf.org/site/c.leJRIROrEpH/b.6662483/k.3AAA/Prostate_Cancer_Spreads_to_Bones_by_Overtaking_the_Home_of_Blood_Stem_Cells.htm?msource=mar11np&auid=8032243‹ Short Course of Hormone Therapy Boosts Prostate Cancer Survival Radical prostatectomy versus watchful waiting ›

    Keep questioning if you want more opinions from the guys in this forum but you should try to read some books and get knowledge from other oncologists as second opinion in the facts of your father.

    I hope my insights are of help to you.

    Wishing you and your dad the best.
    Welcome to the board.

    VGama
  • Daddysgirl25
    Daddysgirl25 Member Posts: 29
    #3
    VascodaGama said:

    His doctor is doing the right thing
    Daddysgirl

    I am happy to see you so involved in your fathers ‘care. His advanced case will need your help and I believe, as a layman, that his doctor is doing the right thing.
    Radiation therapy is a treatment done to targets, and doctors will delivery it once they are certain that the cancer is at that particular spot. Radiation however is not a treatment to be repeated to the same place (over and over) because it would damage the localized body tissue (it could open a hole in an organ). Radiation and surgery are not treatments indicated to patients with confirmed metastasis too.
    Doctors prefer to reserve RT for later (if needed) localized spots such as at bone when other treatment (drugs) are no more effective and pain becomes unbearable. There is always a tendency of delaying the procedure to a date when really it is needed.

    Xgeva (denosumab) is a newer monoclonal antibody drug which is claimed to be better than bisphosphonates (Zometa) in treating metastasis to bone. The side effects are similar which includes; lower blood calcium and osteonecrosis of the jaw (disease resulting from reduced blood flow to the jaw). This drug will improve his bone reconstruction and it will “attack” the cancer directly. As you reported, your father is feeling the good effects already.
    There are reports on cases of metastasis to bone where these types of drugs have reverse the course of the cancer.

    The side effects from HT are something annoying that he should try to handle by restricting his diet and supplements. Sufficiency on vitamin D and physical exercise seems to be very important in metastasis cases. His doctor can also recommend him over-the-counter drugs to handle some of the side effects. My opinion in regards to osteonecrosis of the jaw is that he should visit a dentist for a checkup now, and that he should include a visit in his periodical tests too.

    I would recommend you to read the book "Beating Prostate Cancer: Hormonal Therapy & Diet" written by the renowned prostate cancer oncologist and survivor, Dr Charles "Snuffy" Myers. This includes all your father needs to know about his diagnosis status and more.

    In this site there is an article about a research which hypothesized that prostate cancer cells might travel to the bone marrow where they keep dormant for years. Drugs similar to denosumab (Xgeva) are developed to avoid cancers from returning in the bone; You can read it here;
    http://www.pcf.org/site/c.leJRIROrEpH/b.6662483/k.3AAA/Prostate_Cancer_Spreads_to_Bones_by_Overtaking_the_Home_of_Blood_Stem_Cells.htm?msource=mar11np&auid=8032243‹ Short Course of Hormone Therapy Boosts Prostate Cancer Survival Radical prostatectomy versus watchful waiting ›

    Keep questioning if you want more opinions from the guys in this forum but you should try to read some books and get knowledge from other oncologists as second opinion in the facts of your father.

    I hope my insights are of help to you.

    Wishing you and your dad the best.
    Welcome to the board.

    VGama

    Thank you so much for your
    Thank you so much for your informative post. Now i understsnd why RT wasnt an option at this time. I didn't know all of the facts about the xgeva it sounds like its going to be very helpful for him.He's only had one shot so hopefully he'll feel even better when he gets the second shot on thurs of next week and his firmagon shot. I've been doing alot of research the past 2 months and I have gone to Dr. Charles'snuffy Meyers website. I'm going to order his book today. He seems very knowledgeable. We were even thinking of going to see him for a consultation. My dad is taking vitamin d3, calcium, and drinking pomegranate juice. He has gained 10 lbs back since he started HT so we're happy about that. His psa has also gone down from 200 to 45. It seems like we're doing everything we can do for now. I just want him to have a good quality of life and to know that we're doing everything in our power to help him. Thanks again!
  • Daddysgirl25
    Daddysgirl25 Member Posts: 29
    #4
    VascodaGama said:

    His doctor is doing the right thing
    Daddysgirl

    I am happy to see you so involved in your fathers ‘care. His advanced case will need your help and I believe, as a layman, that his doctor is doing the right thing.
    Radiation therapy is a treatment done to targets, and doctors will delivery it once they are certain that the cancer is at that particular spot. Radiation however is not a treatment to be repeated to the same place (over and over) because it would damage the localized body tissue (it could open a hole in an organ). Radiation and surgery are not treatments indicated to patients with confirmed metastasis too.
    Doctors prefer to reserve RT for later (if needed) localized spots such as at bone when other treatment (drugs) are no more effective and pain becomes unbearable. There is always a tendency of delaying the procedure to a date when really it is needed.

    Xgeva (denosumab) is a newer monoclonal antibody drug which is claimed to be better than bisphosphonates (Zometa) in treating metastasis to bone. The side effects are similar which includes; lower blood calcium and osteonecrosis of the jaw (disease resulting from reduced blood flow to the jaw). This drug will improve his bone reconstruction and it will “attack” the cancer directly. As you reported, your father is feeling the good effects already.
    There are reports on cases of metastasis to bone where these types of drugs have reverse the course of the cancer.

    The side effects from HT are something annoying that he should try to handle by restricting his diet and supplements. Sufficiency on vitamin D and physical exercise seems to be very important in metastasis cases. His doctor can also recommend him over-the-counter drugs to handle some of the side effects. My opinion in regards to osteonecrosis of the jaw is that he should visit a dentist for a checkup now, and that he should include a visit in his periodical tests too.

    I would recommend you to read the book "Beating Prostate Cancer: Hormonal Therapy & Diet" written by the renowned prostate cancer oncologist and survivor, Dr Charles "Snuffy" Myers. This includes all your father needs to know about his diagnosis status and more.

    In this site there is an article about a research which hypothesized that prostate cancer cells might travel to the bone marrow where they keep dormant for years. Drugs similar to denosumab (Xgeva) are developed to avoid cancers from returning in the bone; You can read it here;
    http://www.pcf.org/site/c.leJRIROrEpH/b.6662483/k.3AAA/Prostate_Cancer_Spreads_to_Bones_by_Overtaking_the_Home_of_Blood_Stem_Cells.htm?msource=mar11np&auid=8032243‹ Short Course of Hormone Therapy Boosts Prostate Cancer Survival Radical prostatectomy versus watchful waiting ›

    Keep questioning if you want more opinions from the guys in this forum but you should try to read some books and get knowledge from other oncologists as second opinion in the facts of your father.

    I hope my insights are of help to you.

    Wishing you and your dad the best.
    Welcome to the board.

    VGama

    Thank you so much for your
    Thank you so much for your informative post. Now i understsnd why RT wasnt an option at this time. I didn't know all of the facts about the xgeva it sounds like its going to be very helpful for him.He's only had one shot so hopefully he'll feel even better when he gets the second shot on thurs of next week and his firmagon shot. I've been doing alot of research the past 2 months and I have gone to Dr. Charles'snuffy Meyers website. I'm going to order his book today. He seems very knowledgeable. We were even thinking of going to see him for a consultation. My dad is taking vitamin d3, calcium, and drinking pomegranate juice. He has gained 10 lbs back since he started HT so we're happy about that. His psa has also gone down from 200 to 45. It seems like we're doing everything we can do for now. I just want him to have a good quality of life and to know that we're doing everything in our power to help him. Thanks again!
  • Noniu
    Noniu Member Posts: 45
    #5
    My dad also has bone mets...
    Hi!

    My dad has been struggling with PC since 2001, he was 71 years old. At the beginning of 2002 had seed implant, it control the cancer until 2009 when oversudden his PSA started rising. Scans were done, it didn't show bone mets, 2 biopsies were done, couldn't find any cancer in the prostate. At that time the Urologist recommended Avanta(hormone therapy), at first, the psa went down to 29, then again went up. More CT scans, and it showed cancer on his cervical. A referral to an Oncologist was given, more testing. Oncologist prescribed Casodex, psa stayed around 60s to 80s. Medication changed again, Nilandron, made him very sick, then Nizoral, did not work either. Also was getting Zometa, it has to be stopped, increased criatinine levels. He was awaiting Medicare to approved payment for Provence, but did not meet criteria. My dad until this day refuses chemo, no one can convince him getting it.

    Last April 10, he was hospitalized with a severe pain on his neck and vomiting. By the third day at the hospital he was not able to sit up straight, stand up nor walk. His cancer has spread more on his skeleton, and a mass was found on T1-T2, 10 session of radiation was given to minimized his pain, he still has pain, controlled with medication. At the present time he is in a Rehab Center for physical therapy hoping he can walk again.

    My dad was given one shot of XGeva, he had no pain, it seems it works for bone mets and will not affect the kidneys.

    At the present there are my treatments available, treatments that might not work for one individual but works for others. Just don't give up and research and get other doctors opinion. It is very difficult and painful to see a love one fading away that nothing can be done to prolong their lives and ease their suffering, it's very, very hard. Best of luck to your father, hope any treatment he chooses will work for him. God bless.

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