I was asked if there was one item that was a real game changer at the American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) meeting for men with advanced prostate cancer. The answer is yes, at this meeting it was formally shown by a study that starting chemotherapy (docetaxel) along with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in some [...]
I have been at American Association of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) since last Thursday. On the prostate cancer front the most exciting part of the meeting has been our being in Chicago and that the weather which has been fantastic. The only truly newsworthy thing that I have come across so far has been an abstract [...]
As usual, we are confronted with a new contradiction. It has been believed that earl hormone therapy (ADT) in men with a biochemical recurrence (PSA only) would benefit from immediate ADT. A study released from the Harvard School of Public Health contradicts this assumption, but the study lacks follow up beyond 10 years. They evaluated [...]
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the most common first therapy for men diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer as well as many men with non-metastatic prostate cancer. ADT brings with it many side effects including significant weight gain. Weight gain, which may contribute to cardiovascular comorbidities as well as diabetes, is among the many adverse metabolic [...]
It is a widely understood that androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) causes adverse side effects and events. Some researchers believe that the ADT-induced alterations in lipid and glucose metabolism may be race-dependent. To evaluate this concern the researchers recruited Japanese men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer who also underwent at least one year of ADT. They [...]
There are different methods of performing ADT; these methods include continuous or intermittent as well as differences in the actual blockade itself. Understanding the superior schedule as well as the superior combination of drugs can both delay the onset to castrate resistance as well as provide for a longer overall survival (OS). In a research [...]
There were many very interesting and very important items presented at the recent ASCO GU conference. Over the course of the next week or two I will be systematically reviewing many of these finds that have a direct impact on men with advanced prostate cancer. Today’s review is about how to create better results for [...]
A John’s Hopkins Health Alert titled “How Long Is It Safe to Take Bisphosphonates for Osteoporosis?” Should Raise Some Concerns Men on Long Term Bisphosphonate Therapy Hormone therapy (ADT) is notorious for many negative side effects, including osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is the thinning of bone that increases the risk for fractures, especially hip and spine fractures. [...]
One of the common and constant complaints I hear at prostate cancer support groups is about the need to wake during the night and use the bathroom to urinate (nocturia). There is a relationship between our ageing and the need to urinate at night, but it does seem to be made even more acute if [...]
My post to this blog that was written yesterday indicated that for certain men the early use of chemotherapy (docetaxil) could provide significant life extending benefits, especially for men with very advanced prostate cancer. For the purpose of clarification, in this case early use means in men who are still hormone responsive. Given that chemotherapy [...]
