Because of the large amount of prostate cancer screening there has been a major shift in initial staging in prostate cancer in western countries, with the incidence of metastases at diagnosis decreasing from over 50% in the 1970s to currently less than 10%. Despite this very significant drop in late stage diagnoses prostate cancer is [...]
Xgeva, also known as denosumab, is an injectable medication (injected once a month subcutaneously under the skin in the doctor’s office) that is used to prevent bone fractures and spinal cord compression caused by bone metastases in breast and prostate cancer survivors. Solid tumors in the bone, which is a common site for individuals with [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Men who develop bone metastases have often been viewed as having developed a significant negative change that prognosticates a negative impact on both their quality of life and on their survival. Contradicting this commonly held belief has been some research which has identified a subgroup of men with advanced prostate cancer with bone metastases who [...]
In a presentation at the ASCO Annual Meeting, Dr. Andrew Himelstein, MD, FACP of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, presented the results of a trial evaluating Zoledronic Acid (Zometa) at a dosing schedule of every 12 weeks as opposed to the current standard of care of every 4 weeks. The trial included [...]
Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is known as a cancer that more often than not metastasizes to the bone. Less often it moves to nonosseous sites (soft tissue sites like lymph nodes, liver and lung). The last few years has seen the development of new drugs that extend the survival of men. Because of these [...]
Radium-223 dichloride (Xofigo) has been approved as an intravenous radiotherapy for men with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) who have multiple osseous (bone) metastases. Most often, it is used in men who have too many metastases to treat with spot radiation. Xofigo works by mimicking calcium that is attracted to bones. To be successful the drug [...]
CT scans are often performed in the process of monitoring of advanced prostate cancer disease progression. One of the most serious impacts of advanced prostate cancer is spinal compression, which can lead to paralysis and significant pain. Being able to use the CT scan as a red flag warning about potential spinal cord compression could [...]
Our bones operate in a balanced and dynamic system, which in the normal situation keep them strong. Bones are constantly being eliminated and then remade to keep them healthy and read to support our frame. This normal process involves two major kinds of bone cells that work together, in balance, to keep bones healthy and [...]
