Advanced Prostate Cancer Treatment

ADVANCE PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENTadvancedprostate cancer that is not responding to
LIST OF QUESTIONS AND CONVERSATION TIPShormone therapy. This new combination can help
TOsome patientslive longer with the disease.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR ON ADVANCED PROSTATEA study of more than 1,000 men with advanced
CANCER…..hormone-refractory prostate cancer demonstrated
Q1: What are the treatment options for advancedthat givingan injection of Taxotere in combination
prostate cancer?with prednisone every three weeks demonstrated a
Advanced prostate cancer is cancer that has spreadsurvival advantageof 2.5 months over prednisone and
from the prostate to the pelvic lymphnodes or tothe chemotherapy drug mitoxantrone, which are
other parts of the body. Advanced prostate cancerFDA-approved to relievepain in men with
cannot be cured but theprogression of the diseasehormone-refractory prostate cancer.
can be slowed and men can be made moreSide effects of chemotherapy include nausea and
comfortablewith hormonal therapy and, occasionally,vomiting, fatigue, infection risk, hair loss and tingling
chemotherapy.andnumbness in the hands and feet. People who
Hormonal therapy is currently the first treatment thatexperience side effects from chemotherapy,
is recommended to men with advancedprostatehowever, can takemedications to combat nausea and
cancer. The goal of hormonal therapy is to lowervomiting and low blood counts that lead to fatigue
levels of male hormones, or androgens,such asand infection.
testosterone, which can fuel the growth of prostateQ4: What therapies can I take to control prostate
cancer. This can be achieved with eithersurgery orcancer symptoms?
medication.Men with advanced prostate cancer may experience
Testosterone levels can be reduced surgically bysymptoms of their disease, such as pain, thatrequire
removing the testicles in an outpatientproceduretreatment to make them feel more comfortable.
known as an orchiectomy; prosthetic testicles mayExternal radiation treatments might be delivered
be used in the testicles' place.periodically to shrink tumors and help to relieve pain.
If a patient prefers medication to surgery, drugs suchA group of drugs called bisphosphonates can also be
as LHRH agonists may be given as shots everyfewused to ease pain from cancer that has traveledto
months to lower testosterone levels. Other drugs,the bones; these drugs may also help prevent bone
such as anti-androgens and estrogen therapy,can helpmetastases.
block the activity of male hormones. SometimesPain can also be managed with painkillers and
surgery and medications are tried in combination.non-drug methods. Some men might try
Side effects of hormonal therapy include impotence,complementarytherapies, such as acupuncture, herbal
low sex drive, tiredness, hot flashes and weight gain.therapies or meditation; it's important to tell your
While hormonal therapy can lead to remissions up todoctors aboutthe complementary therapies you are
two or three years, it cannot stave off theconsidering since there are risks for drug interactions
progressionof advanced prostate cancer indefinitelyand side effects.
and the disease usually returns.Q5: Should I consider a clinical trial?
Q2: How will I know if hormonal therapy is working?Clinical trials are studies conducted in people to
The main way to determine whether hormonalevaluate new methods and medications for safety
therapy is working is by measuring prostate-specificand effectiveness.
antigenMany ongoing trials are investigating new approaches
(PSA) levels with a blood test. Blood levels of thisto treating advanced prostate cancer, including
protein can measure the presence and activity ofcryosurgery,which uses liquid nitrogen to kill prostate
prostate cancer.cancer cells, as well as new chemotherapy
So if PSA levels are going up, that's usually a signcombinations and new approachesto radiation
that the treatment isn't working as well as it hastherapy.
been.You should discuss the risks and benefits of
There are rare instances when the PSA may not goparticipating in a clinical trial with your doctor.
up as the cancer is growing. In those cases,Tips on how you can prepare for this discussion:
peopleusually have symptoms, such as bone pain,Get a three-ring binder for all of your medical
which should be evaluated with X-rays. Somedocuments.
doctorsmay monitor for metastases with CT scans,Get copies of all of your laboratory and pathology
MRIs or bone scans.reports.
Q3: What can be done if the hormonal options don'tBring a note pad, tape recorder or a friend as
work?another set of ears to your doctor's appointments to
When someone has advanced prostate cancer that isbe sure you do not miss any of the information.
no longer responding to hormonal therapies-aconditionMake a list of all medications and complementary
known as hormone-refractory prostate cancer-othertherapies you are taking.
forms of treatment may be required.Consider your goals for treatment.
Until recently, chemotherapy, which kills fast-growingIf considering hormonal therapy, consider whether
cells typical of most cancers, was not thoughttoyou prefer surgery or medications that will suppress
work against prostate cancer cells, which are usuallyyour hormones.
slow growing. Even though chemotherapyMake a list of all symptoms and medication side
wassometimes used to relieve pain in men witheffects you are experiencing.
hormone-refractory prostate cancer, it had neverPrepare a list of your questions and concerns.
beenshown to improve survival.Find out what clinical trials might be available to you.
But in May 2004, the U.S. Food and DrugConsider your expectations for participating in a
Administration (FDA) approved a chemotherapy drugclinical trial.
calledConsider the advantages and disadvantages of being
Taxotere (docetaxel) for use in combination with thein a clinical trial.
steroid prednisone, for the treatment of