Three leading prostate cancer doctors are volunteering with Malecare to answer your questions, online, at canceradvice.org This website is just starting, so, please feel welcome to be among the first to get the ball rolling.
1: Geo Espinosa, N.D., L.Ac, CNS, RH (AHG) is the Director of the Integrative Urological Center at New York University Langone Medical Center.
2: Dr Charles “Snuffy” Myer is both Medical oncologist and prostate cancer survivor. He was a key player in creating AZT, Suranim, and Phenylacetate while working at the National Institute of Health.
3: Daniel P. Petrylak, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, and Program Director of the Genitourinary Oncology Section in the Division of Hematology/Oncology , Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center.
Gentlemen,
I had a radical nine years ago followed by 34 treatments of external beam radiation therapy. Met with Stephen Strum in 2002 and have taken his advice and chose nine years of intermittent ADT. Zoledex,biclutimide and proscar.
45 days ago I became hormone refractory, with three elevated PSA’s in 45 days. 16, 27, in two weeks ago 47 so it seems pretty agressive to me. However, given your experience you may say it is not.
Bone scans and surveys indicate bone metastasis in spine, ribs, skull etc. these have occurred in a 6 month span as I had a scan and a survey done in June of 2009. Thus far I have received one four week Zometa injection and have been scheduled for another February 16th.
Tokai Armor study has been proposed. I won’t know if I am eligble until my next appointment with my Oncologist on 16 feb.I do believe I meet the criteria but we’ll see.
Pain throughout my spine is the greatest manifestation at this time. What would you suggest I take to alleviate the pain? I am 65yrs old, have been on biphosphonate (Fosomax) for 9 years but that hasn’t seemed to stop the osteoperosis. I ache all over.I’ve been taking 500mg of Naproxin twice daily and it isn’ getting the job done’
Also, I know it is hard to quantify, and I certainly would not hold any of you to it, but with the agressive nature of this disease,can you you give me any indication about time left given the data I have provided, “time left” is of greatest concern to me. I’m sure the question of time is what is on everyone’s mind at this stage. There must be some data that can give me some idea. Also, maybe you could discuss other options available to me. MY emotions are not in the way of any of this as I have accepted what is happening to me years ago. Logic and acceptance for me is the best approach. I havn’t given up in 9 years and I’m not about to go quietly.
Thanking you in advance for your considerations on my part and I wish you well on your new venture. It’s just me “Getting the Ball Rolling”
Patrick