Advanced prostate cancer what’s next after Chemo

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Diagnosed Jan 2022 PSA 117, Gleason 7 4 + 3, mets to local lymph nodes and hip/pelvic bones. Immediately started on ADT and has regular bone strengthening infusions. After chemo PSA settled at 0.2. Scan after chemo showed lymph nodes had returned to normal size and shape and only bone scarring where bone mets had been. He then had 6 sessions, once a week of radiotherapy to the prostate which ended on the 2nd November, his PSA remained stable at 0.2. He had a PSA test mid December and it was still 0.2. JAN 10 23 we had a review with oncologist and it’s risen to 0.4, the oncologist seemed very rushed and when we showed concern and said let’s see if it’s a trend at next test. This coincides with hip pain which is making my husband limp and have difficulty sleep, he had to palliative radiotherapy, one shot to hip  to help with pain. On Tuesday PSA had jumped to 1.4, guessing after just one year he’s become castrate resistance. Anyone been in the same situation and what treatment was offered next. 

  • Hi Scared, sorry your are in this position.  If you look at my profile you will see I went CRPCa within 3/4 months of hormone treatment,  Just started Chemo and hope that will do something.  I did ask what next if that fails and there was sum hope about new treatments coming on line but she wasn’t very specific.  HT and Chemo are the 2 big initial guns after that I would say things are a little more experimental. My biopsies have been sent for BRCA genetic testing so that may open some doors.  It is a worry but hopefully you can get support you deserve and some answers soon. 

    Best wishes

  • Hi Morton68,

    thank you for taking the time to answer. Hope chemo isn’t to bad, my husband didn’t find it as bad as expected, tough but ok. 
    take care,

    Jo

  • Hi,

    Similar situation a while back,  bicalutamide added on to treatment, lasted maybe 18 month ( check profile) then just hormone treatment for few yrs, then enzalutamide, will be 27 months come march at next oncol meeting.  

    Psa is rising again so probably about to start another round of chemo on cabazitaxel. As the treatment options are now limited the plan is to wait till there is a need to step in with the chemo. 

    Few reasons for this,  no point wasting ammo if you haven't got a decent target to hit, prolong time & there are two new treatments coming on board by end of year that will be eligible for.

    Will be 10yrs come September, never give up...live life, don't let it control you.....control it !

    Steve

  • Hi,

    Had similar situation a few yrs ago. Was started on bicalutamide in addition to hormone therapy, this lasted about 20 mths ( check profile). The just hormone therapy for a few yrs whilst psa grew slowly,  then onto enzalutamide which currently on 27 mths.....although psa is rising significantly now & have an enlarged Lymph node again.

    Second round of chemo being delayed until there is something significant to target, no point wasting ammo as the box is getting pretty empty now....

    Oncol has stated there are new treatments due for approval Feb/March so should be on offer nearer end of year once they get the logistics sorted. 

    I'll be hitting 10yrs come the summer living with this, don't let it control you....you control it.

    Wish you & husband well

    Regards

    Steve

  • Sorry for the double post,  got interrupted & thought I had lost it......I know I'm a fud!

  • What new treatments are coming along? Hubby has CRPC went into bones and spread rapidly throughout skeleton in a matter of months. He just had round 5 of docetaxel and his psa is still climbing, pain increasing, they think its not working. Awaiting CT and bone scan to see what is going on.  He had surgery, radiotherapy, zoladex, enzalutimide, a clinical trial of LU-PSMA-617 and now chemo plus zoladex. Nothing has slowed it down. Every treatment failed and was stopped early. He is Gleason 7, was fit healthy 66 no smoker. I am very scared and sad too. 

  • Hi Almond,  I am not sure on the new treatments, she only said there were things in the pipeline.  Your husband sounds similar to me, I did smoke but stopped 23 years ago.  Gleason 9 (5 and 4).  Fingers crossed whatever is in the pipeline will work for your husband and myself and others.  

    Take care and I am sending my positive support and best wishes to you. 

    M x

  • Hi Steve, thank you so much for responding. 10 years, it helps so much reading positive stories. Best of luck with future treatments. 
    Jo

  • My oh the same prostap not worked , on degarelex bit better , after chemo psa increased cancer on bone , now on enzalutamide plus prostsp psa hovering around 80s , do remember his oncologist said there was something coming out very soon , I do hope do for those who are running out of treatments 

  • Hi TIna, unfortunately the Scottish choice is Abiraterone, rather than enza,  and that has failed for me.  I am kinda eggs all in the chemo basket at the min and whatever might be around the corner.  Anyway hopeful as ever.  Thinking about your OH and hope he will be ok