Advanced aggressive prostate cancer that has spread to liver

Hello Liv88 .

I am sorry to hear your latest update but please remain positive (I know it is difficult). My husband was given possibly 6 months in July 2020 and is still going strong. Rather than go through all the do's and don'ts I thought you might like to read a thread from last year when several of us were going through chemotherapy.

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/prostate-cancer-forum/f/diagnosis-and-treatment/263589/chemotherapy-infection-control#pifragment-13906=1

We found the staff in the unit absolutely brilliant, so helpful and reassuring.

Please ask any questions and we will try and help you get through it.

Hi Liv88

I'm so sorry to hear about your latest news and especially the prognosis. Please try and stay strong (easy words I know).

I'm not familiar with the treatments your husband is on but I hope what I share offers some support.

We first found out that my OH had advanced metastatic prostate cancer in April of this year. It was a huge shock to us and the news was delivered to us by a nurse over the phone as if was any old results that we might be receiving. We were later informed that the cancer had spread to the liver, lymph nodes, pelvis, hip and femur. Straight away, and before biopsy results, he was put on 4 weekly injections of Degaralix and, 6 weeks later, treatment with Enzalutamide. After 8 months on this treatment, the latest scan showed that the liver metastasis was now negligible - in other words it had gone into remission. 

The preferred treatment for my OH was Docetaxel but he also suffers from heart failure, diagnosed last year (my husband is/was a marathon runner and youngish and it seems these horrible things can hit anyone), and his heart would not be able to withstand the effects of that particular drug. Enzalutamide is a slightly less effective alternative - so we were led to understand. 

This morning on his birthday we received mixed results from a bone scan two days ago. The existing bones metastases have reduced but new metastases have appeared in the ileum and sacral areas.  We don't know what to think. We have never been given a timeline but we do know that the box on the Macmillan website which says 'After Treatment' is not one which we will need to press on. Treatment is for life.

Take each day as it comes, if possible don't think too far ahead and please know that you are not alone.

My thoughts and warm wishes are with you 

Jenny

Hi Liv88 - I really don’t understand how your consultant can give you a prognosis of 12 months.  Really, this is not just me being my usual “cup half full” self.  That triplet therapy is a powerful combination designed to knock the cancer back significantly, and I would expect your team to be administering it with a view to treating the cancer and holding it in check for much longer than that.  Don’t forget, too, that there are other treatments (xtandi is a more powerful hormone blocker than Darolutamide for instance) that you might like to enquire about.  If you haven’t done so already, go on PCRI.org and look at some of the videos about stage 4 PCa treatments. Please - stay in the fight and don’t give up: you are both warriors        AW

Hello Liv88 

i am so sorry to read your latest post - not what you need to hear - and I never believe a prognosis, they just don't know.

in addition to the cracking posts from Alwayshope & Alpine Wanderer here are a few things I can add:-

* Two Community members have been blogging about their Chemotherapy journey and here's the links:-

 Prostate Cancer Recurrence - Triple Therapy 

 Grant’s prostrate cancer Chemo blog 

* We do have a Chemotherapy Forum you can join for help and advice and here's the link-

 Chemotherapy forum 

* Don't forget the Support Line is there for both of you on 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8pm) 7 days a week for help, support and advice - they are a great team there.

* If you have a local "Maggie's" feel free to call in there. They are a cancer support charity for all the family and here's another link - https://www.maggies.org/

I do hope the above helps - if I can do anything else for you please don't hesitate to get intouch.

Best wishes - Brian.

We’re out on our daily hike. Got to thinking about your case.  Why on earth would they be giving chemotherapy if they’re saying only 1 year prognosis?  You need to clarify this as I think you may have misheard. With only 1 year left, I would have thought quality of life was paramount.  Just a thought.   AW

I’m thinking that they meant 12 months if he doesn’t go for the triplet therapy.  Much longer if he does.  I don’t want to get your hopes up, but I think that you should give them a call    AW

Hello again Liv88 .

I thought you might like to listen to this video which explains the options for lung and liver mets. Take heart that the doctor has many patients who have been got into remission with Docetaxel treatment, but also that there are other options you might want to discuss with your oncologist such as a specialist radiotherapy and Lutetium 177 (but this might only be available as part of a trial in the UK).

https://youtu.be/XrUUN5EqOe8?si=L9s9_yEb9AzXxOgU

An excellent link, Alwayshope 

Thank you Always Hope, good to have such great support 

Thank you all for such positive vibes, much appreciated x