The situation after Zytiga

He stopped Zytiga because his PSA went up and scans revealed many new spinal metastases, both indications that the Zytiga was no longer effective. His PSA was kept undetectable by Zytiga and Lupron for over three years, with no new metastases during that time. You could ask your doctor why he or she is urging radiation now instead of waiting until a PSA rise.

First time I’ve heard of Zytiga being used alone without Lupron or other LHRH agonist/antagonist and the first time I’ve heard of it being used prior to primary treatment. It suppresses androgen production by the adrenal glands but don’t think it acts on the testes, thus why it is used with one of the LHRH agents. It also inhibits androgen receptor signaling in prostate cancer cells preventing them from producing their own androgen. All that said, the only things that will cure prostate cancer are cytotoxic treatments such as chemo or radiation and surgery, if it is completely contained in the prostate in the latter case. So no, Zytiga will not cure it. I’d listen to what my doctor recommends.

My personal plan would be to draw blood monthly and petscan every six months until something changes. My primary care provider concurs. The specialists are exerting the pressure. In defense of my thoughts I scheduled an evaluation at mayo to run an mri and bloodwork and look at my biopsies and surgical path and prior blood work to give me more perspective.

That is a very good idea to have a thorough evaluation at Mayo of your current status and get their advice as to next steps. I hope things go well in Rochester. Please keep us posted.

Hubby on eligard and zytiga for a year during and after radiation (gleason 8). Last month he had a heart attack so they took him off zytiga. Evidently it's harmful to the heart. He will continue on elegard for who knows how long. Now we are worried PC will show up again!