Zeros are good!

SeattleJ
SeattleJ Member Posts: 32 Member
in Prostate Cancer #1
Thought I'd post an update. I went in for my 3 month post surgery checkup and my PSA was >0.03--undetectable! Always great to hear! In addition, my wife went in for her biannual mammogram (she is a breast cancer survivor since 2008) and it was clear as well. A great day!!

As a reminder, I had an open radical prostatectomy with a full pelvic lymph node disection on 3/1/11. I was diagnosed in July 2010 with a Gleason 7 (4+3)a PSA of 19 and a nodule felt in the DRE. I also had a suspicious lymph node as seen on an MRI. I went on a clinical trial taking Abiraterone, Lupron and a steroid as a preadjuvant therapy. The post surgery lymph node disection showed that cancer had been present but had been destroyed. Hopefully the Abiraterone/Lupron combination killed any micro-metasteses that may have been present. That would make the side effects worthwhile!

It's been a difficult year and I know that there are trials ahead. Anyone who is facing this disease please do your research and find the best team of doctors you can. You have to take charge of your case to get the best care possible.

Good luck to all

John

Comments

  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama Member Posts: 3,701 Member
    #2
    It is nice to read about successes
    John

    Wonderful news.
    It is nice to read about successes and the two of you are just that.
    Could you please let us know what was the steroid and the drugs mg (Abiraterone/Lupron). How long before surgery have you start taking the HT?
    Which side effects have you experienced.

    I wish you a continuous good recovery from treatment and many many Zeros for the both of you.
    Thanks for sharing your experience.

    VGama
  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010
    #3
    Thanks for sharing your good
    Thanks for sharing your good news!

    Larry
  • mrspjd
    mrspjd Member Posts: 694 Member
    #4
    Congrats!
    John,

    Glad to read the good news for you and your wife. Wishing you both continued success.

    VDG: I believe the steroid used in John's protocol (with Abi, Lupron & RP) was Prednisone. As of the date of this post, the clinical trial is still recruiting. More info about the tx protocol and acceptance criteria can be found at this link: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00924469
  • SeattleJ
    SeattleJ Member Posts: 32 Member
    #5
    mrspjd said:

    Congrats!
    John,

    Glad to read the good news for you and your wife. Wishing you both continued success.

    VDG: I believe the steroid used in John's protocol (with Abi, Lupron & RP) was Prednisone. As of the date of this post, the clinical trial is still recruiting. More info about the tx protocol and acceptance criteria can be found at this link: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00924469

    Protocol
    mrspjd, you are correct,it was prednisone. The protocol required that I be the trial for 6 months prior to the RP so I started in Sept 2010. I had the usual side effects--hot flashes, loss of libido,impotence, constipation, weight gain and fatigue. I did have a minor liver reaction to the Abiraterone, but it cleared up quickly and then was fine. Would not have known it had happened except for the blood tests. The trial officially ended for me yesterday when I had my 3 month post RP follow-up. I had the usual PSA test plus other blood tests and a physical as part of the trial wrap-up.

    I was told yesterday by the trial coordinator that the Seattle based part of the trial (which was at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and the VA here) is closed. They have had 56 men participate here which was enough for this location for a Phase II trial. I think it is still recruiting at other centers. I would encourage others who are offered a chance to participate in a clinical trial to seriously consider it. Things won't get better unless people are willing to participate.

    John
  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama Member Posts: 3,701 Member
    #6
    SeattleJ said:

    Protocol
    mrspjd, you are correct,it was prednisone. The protocol required that I be the trial for 6 months prior to the RP so I started in Sept 2010. I had the usual side effects--hot flashes, loss of libido,impotence, constipation, weight gain and fatigue. I did have a minor liver reaction to the Abiraterone, but it cleared up quickly and then was fine. Would not have known it had happened except for the blood tests. The trial officially ended for me yesterday when I had my 3 month post RP follow-up. I had the usual PSA test plus other blood tests and a physical as part of the trial wrap-up.

    I was told yesterday by the trial coordinator that the Seattle based part of the trial (which was at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and the VA here) is closed. They have had 56 men participate here which was enough for this location for a Phase II trial. I think it is still recruiting at other centers. I would encourage others who are offered a chance to participate in a clinical trial to seriously consider it. Things won't get better unless people are willing to participate.

    John

    Thanks Mrspjd and John
    For the info regarding the trial and the outcome.

    Wishing you a continuous success.
    VG

Discussion Boards