Answering Your Chemotherapy Questions |

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0:25 After 5 of 6 cycles Taxotere was stopped because of neuropathy. Can something else be done?
4:11 Is coverage for Taxotere usually ongoing throughout treatment?
6:16 Is it common that a patient would have better results from Jevtana than Taxotere?
8:06 Is Jevtana more effective at reaching a PSA nadir than Taxotere?
11:02 Is some hearing loss still a potential side effect of chemotherapy?
13:05 How long should Neulasta be sequenced before Jevtana?
14:09 Can ice caps be used to manage hair loss from chemotherapy?
18:05 Is taste loss a permanent side effect of chemotherapy?
18:49 How can chemotherapy patients ensure they're eating enough?
19:36 After ADT and a PSA drop to 0.36 should chemotherapy be used or held in reserve?
21:53 Does chemotherapy create a true state of remission or can the cancer come back later?
25:20 How does fasting affect chemotherapy?
26:29 Is chemotherapy only given when the prostate cancer has metastasized?
28:27 Alex's conclusions
29:48 If you need more help
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The Prostate Cancer Research Institute (PCRI) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to helping you research your treatment options. We understand that you have many questions, and we can help you find the answers that are specific to your case. All of our resources are designed by a multidisciplinary team of advocates and expert physicians for patients. We believe that by educating yourself about the disease, you will have more productive interactions with your medical professionals and receive better-individualized care. Feel free to explore our website at pcri.org or contact our free helpline with any questions that you have at pcri.org/helpline. Our Federal Tax ID # is 95-4617875 and qualifies for maximum charitable gift deductions by individual donors.

[@kevinford1856]

I just completed my six-month review following diagnosis of stage 4 PC in December 2023. At that time, my PSA was 86 and I had numerous lesions in my prostate, lymph nodes and multiple bones. I had triple therapy consisting of docetaxel (Taxotere), degarelix (Firmagon) and darolutamide (Nubeqa). I completed 5/6 cycles of docetaxel before the side effects became too great. These included loss of hair, energy, taste and appetite, diarrhoea, neuropathy, and bleeding under fingernails. I also needed several blood transfusions for low haemoglobin count. Side effects are slowly diminishing. After six months my PSA has fallen to 0.02, swelling in my prostate and lymph nodes has reduced, and I have no new cancer sites. No further chemo is planned for now, I will continue with degarelix and darolutamide for the foreseeable future. I had thought that the chemo would kill off the existing cancer in the bones, but that has not happened. My oncologist says that it not atypical. At least the cancer in the bones is not growing or spreading. Any thoughts on this? I am overall happy with the report. I no longer feel that I am in imminent danger.

[@TERRY-cb2ku]

Got my biopsy done on Wednesday and will get the results on July 2nd. My PSA has come down to 3.3 in the last few weeks. I'm hoping what was seen on MRI was just a calcification. Anyone who is a believer, please pray for me. Update Today is July 2 and I got the results of my biopsy today. Some good news and some bad news. Out of the 14 specimens taken , none showed any malignancy, but all showed one or more diseases. Diffuse prostatic acinar hyperplasia, diffuse prostatic atrophy and focal acute inflammatory infiltration. In other words the whole gland is diseased. The findings do not explain the earlier spike in PSA levels. One theory is that recurrent UTIs and inflammation, which I've had, could be a factor in prostate disease. I will do a followup in six months.

[@ncvman]

dont need to pray. you will be fine. 3.3 is fine. I have that and been through so many biposy and mri and have nothing.

[@thomasbrady63]

I will keep you in my prayers. My PSA went from 2.5 to 5.4 from March 2023 to March 2024 . Then 6.2 in April . 2.9 June 3 and 2.9 June 15 . I had an MRI in April 2 lessons 1 Pirads 3 and 1 Pirads 5 . I have a biopsy scheduled for July 11 . I’m a bit nervous. Good luck . 🙏

[@ncvman]

@@thomasbrady63 biopsy is piece of cake. You have time do your research.

[@dianeferguson357]

🙏🏻🫶🏼

[@CharlieStokes-hw8rw]

Prayer? Just spitting into the wind. Do it if it helps you feel better. Just stick with the facts Jack; get a new scan Stan (PSMA); watch who you deploy Roy (medical practitioners are a racket); you need to discuss much and get on the bus Gus (PCRI and others); find your own key, Lee, and just it let be.

[@jaktao6044]

what a tie! Mark's got style.

[@henrysingleton9262]

I used ice gloves and ice foot covers when taking taxotere it made a huge difference.

[@wongsiang1133]

Dr. MARK Scholz and Miss.Alex thank so much for this chemotherapy discussion because later on I need to decide whether need to go for chemotherapy after my Pet Scan report is being verified.I am having prostrate cancer too.

[@coachab100]

I am planning a 2 month trip to Europe in Mid-September. I am 73 and in very good health but my PSA has crept up. I am getting a MRI in 4 to 8 weeks. I have only put a deposit down but need to make a decision this weekend to book and pay for everything! What I am hearing is that the treatment can wait until I return in mid November?!? My docs say it is up to me at this point!

[@GCASDTech]

Any advice for a 53 year old Prostate Cancer patient dealing with Autoimmune disorders (rheumatoid arthritis)? Gleason 9 treatment (radical prostatectomy, non-nerve sparing, radiation, Docetaxel, Lupron). Have had undetectable PSA for two years. Oncologist will not agree to let Rheumatologist prescribe methotrexate injection to alleviate symptoms. Currently surviving on prednisone and would like to stop steroids. There is little to no information to help guide decision making.

[@kczbluesman]

@gcasd. Look into honeybee venom therapy

[@dianeferguson357]

Pluvicto stopped after second treatment PSA doubled after first and shot up to over 2000 after 2nd. They talked about lower dose or adding more time til next treatment but blood tests before 3rd treatment weren’t great for hemoglobin, white cells, etc. Just had first treatment of Cabazitaxel and doctor said this is the last card up his sleeve. Anything left in your opinion?

[@CharlieStokes-hw8rw]

Find another sleeve.

[@kaikai9542]

I , age 62, had Leuprolide & 6 cycles of Docetaxel. After the 5th cycle my PSA dropped from 291 ng to 1.38 ng , ALP dropped from 1,195 U to 138 U. My Gleason score is 10 with bones mets. The doctor will add Abiraterone after chemos. How long can I live ?

[@CharlieStokes-hw8rw]

Me: Gleason 9 with bone mets, PSA down from 224 to .3. Oncologist gave me 2 years 3 years ago. How long can I live? Until I die.

[@stitcheruk1150]

@@CharlieStokes-hw8rwWhat was your treatment and what ADT are you taking ?

[@CharlieStokes-hw8rw]

@@stitcheruk1150 Lupron plus enzalutamide (Xtandi) for 24 months. Went on holiday in January (against advice). PSA nadir 0.1 in January. PSA in March 0.3 with T=88. PSMA scan in April showed met on 7th left rib with substantial uptake. Next decision point: August 24 meeting with urologist. These are the questions: back on ADT? Spot radio on 7th rib? Chemo or immunology? I'm 72 but looking for cure or durable remission without further ADT (which has been very debilitating for me).

[@kaikai9542]

Leupron ​@@stitcheruk1150

[@ThePCRI]

Meet Dr. Scholz, Dr. Moyad, the PCRI Team, and world renowned prostate cancer experts at our 2024 Prostate Cancer Patients & Caregivers Conference: pcri.org/2024-conference

[@madhusudankulkarni1102]

Titles are welcome for better understanding

[@duggartaiwan786]

Imua!!