The National Cancer Institute (NCI) announced a new trial to evaluate genetic similarities in a variety of cancer types. I think that this is a great trial, which those of us who might qualify for it should think about participating. Increasingly we are thinking that to define (name) a cancer just upon the affected body [...]
Traditional hormone therapy usually consists of two types of drugs; GnRH agonists (like Lupron and Zoladex) and antiandrogens (Casodex). Although they both are drugs that manipulate the hormone system their modes of action are different. GnRH agonists block the production of the male hormone testosterone while the antiandrogen drug blocks the ability of the prostate [...]
My Prostate Cancer Experience is a new survey, helping us understand how prostate cancer treatment affects day to day living. The Prostate Cancer Experience encompasses all of the prostate cancer treatments that you may have chosen. The survey closes in a few days, so please complete it, now. Go to http://prostatecancersurvey.org My Prostate Cancer Experience takes less [...]
There is a lot of evidence that pre-treatment rehabilitation (prehabilitation or pre-hab) both speeds up and benefits a patient’s recovery after surgical orthopedic treatment for knee and hip replacement as well as cardiac conditions. Having pre-hab, which is often covered by insurance after orthopedic surgery, is pretty standard. Now, based on an article published in [...]
The development of bone metastases is often been viewed as having significant negative implications for long term survival in men with metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). It is generally believed that bone metastases prognosticates a negative impact on both their quality of life and on survival. Contradicting this commonly held belief has been some [...]
Yesterday, my younger son Max, who is 28 years old, went to the funeral of a fraternity brother. Actually, the young man, Andrew, had been a member of his pledge class at the University of Michigan. Andrew, who was also 28 years old, died of Pediatric Brain Cancer. Andrew had battled this disease for over [...]
During last year’s American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) Annual Meeting, data was released from the STAMPEDE trial which should change clinical practice around the world. The trial results showed that newly diagnosed men with very aggressive prostate cancer that was still hormone therapy naive (no ADT) would have a very significant survival advantage by [...]
Yesterday’s post was about the increased risks of developing diabetes faced by men who are on hormone therapy. This study, as well as most others about this topic has looked at the first levels of hormone therapy (ADT) using the traditional drugs like Zoladex, Trelstar, Firmagon, and Lupron. We know very little about the influence [...]
According to a recent study published in the Journal of Urology, men with localized prostate cancer on hormone therapy (ADT) have a significant increase in their risk for developing diabetes. In this retrospective study of 12,191 men with localized prostate cancer who did not have diabetes were followed once they went on ADT. It was [...]
Many of our doctors are constantly vigilant about our developing skeletal related issues. Having advanced prostate cancer and receiving treatment for this disease increases our odds of developing skeletal issues which affect both our quality of life and our mortality. Drugs like denosumab (Xgeva) and zoledronic acid (Zometa) are important in delaying the onset of [...]
