There was a recent study to investigate the predictive value of the number of extra-spinal organs involved by metastases for survival in metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) from prostate cancer. This was a very small study of only 95 men irradiated with 10×3 Gy for MSCC from prostate cancer. The investigators considered seven factors: Age, [...]
Those of us with advanced prostate cancer who have used hormone therapy (ADT) often find that we are plagued with hot flashes that are detrimental to our quality of life (QOL). I believe that hot flashes are the most common side effect complained about by men who are on ADT, in the scheme of seriousness [...]
The makers of Enzalutamide (Xtandi), Astellas Pharma US, Inc and Medivation, Inc have begun a Phase 4 clinical trial known as PLATO. The study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of continued treatment with enzalutamide (Xtandi) plus abiraterone acetate (Zytiga) and prednisone as compared to treatment with Zytiga and prednisone alone in men [...]
If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial but just can not figure out how to navigate the government's clinical trial web page (www.clinicaltrials.gov) you could call 1-800-4-CANCER for assistance. This number will put you in touch with the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Center for Cancer Research. The operators who answer the phone [...]
Based on six recent retrospective analyses comparing the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist degarelix against the traditional luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists (i.e. Zoladex, Lupron etc.) men with advanced prostate cancer experienced improved disease control, fewer instances of urinary infections, and a lower risk of cardiovascular events. The six analyses compared data from randomized trials that [...]
The number of cancer survivors is increasing, soon to be as many of 13 million of us in the world! Bones are often affected in cancer survivors, usually a result of bone metastases, or of anti-cancer therapies which can contribute to bone loss and fragility. Bone disease in cancer survivors can result both from the [...]
Becoming a full time 24/7 caregiver for someone with any chronic illness, including advanced prostate cancer is overwhelming. Most caregivers find that they stop their own personal activities, including those that give them personal pleasure. Caregiving means subverting personal needs in favor of the needs of the patient. This situation often leads to the [...]
We are in the fortunate position because the treatment of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) continues to evolve as new agents with the ability to extend survival gain FDA approval. The most recently FDA approved treatment, the alpha emitting radiopharmaceutical radium-223 (Xofigo) was approved for men with bone metastatic prostate cancer. Most other [...]
Men who elect to have a radical prostatectomy (surgical treatment for prostate cancer) as their primary treatment often panic if they find out that they had positive surgical margins (PSMs). Positive surgical margins are an indication for the use of adjuvant radiotherapy. Despite this automatic response the association between PSMs and prostate cancer-specific mortality (CSM) [...]
Castate resistant metastatic prostate cancer (mRPC) withvisceral disease (tumors involving the internal organs of the body, specifically those within the chest (as the heart or lungs) or abdomen (as the liver, pancreas or intestines) is a negative prognostic factor. In many cases clinical trials of new investigational drugs rule out men with visceral disease from [...]
