1. < Prostate Cancer

Stage 4 prostate cancer treatment options

Posted by safari1949 @safari1949, Nov 17, 2019

I have recurring prostate cancer and it has found its way to 5 different bones, including my left shoulder and two ribs on my right side. I started 6 month Lupron shots but have been told that because it is stage 4 I need additional treatment. My oncologist is recommending either Abiraterone (Zytiga) for 33 months or 6 treatments of Docetaxel chemo. She says that they look to have very equal success. With the Zytiga I will also have to take steroids, probably prednisone which I understand includes possible liver damage. Six chemo treatments seems like a better approach but I have heard Zytiiga talked about in a very positive manner. I understand it can be expensive and I do worry my prescription drug coverage could change its formulary and raise my cost significantly as well. I've already had that happen with a drug I take for Parkinsons.. Just looking for some general input regarding peoples actual experience either way.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

ben789 | @ben789 | Nov 14, 2022
In reply to @herbg "I am currently in my third cycle of taxol after diagnosis with metastatic disease. The literature..." + (show)
@herbg

I am currently in my third cycle of taxol after diagnosis with metastatic disease. The literature is clear that taxol+ADT is effective. There is also literature on the newer agents that suggest efficacy, but there has been no clinical trial comparing the two head to head. It is also the case that Zytiga can be used if the cancer progresses to castration resistance after taxol. I am not enjoying the side effects of taxol, but I have only three cycles to go, and I am hopeful that the therapy works to reduce tumor burden.

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Thanks everyone for the information on here.
I am going for my diagnosis on November 18th after multiple scans and biopsy so I will be following this site.

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1 reply
Michael in BC | @mtarchangel | Nov 15, 2022
In reply to @melcanada "sk St Rita of the impossible to intercede to JESUS for you Get on Zolodex and..." + (show)
@melcanada

sk St Rita of the impossible to intercede to JESUS for you

Get on Zolodex and possible Enzalutamide
cancer.gov.ca has some longevity stats
Be positive I'm 78 with S 4 in L 2 which was radiated spine PSA going up slowly I'm at Sandals Exuma Bahamas this week. Spending Kids Inheritance SKI

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Thanks, Mel, for your very positive message. I have just been diagnosed with Stage 4 following a bone scan. Still waiting for my first oncology appointment and, hopefully, the start of a treatment plan. Enjoy Sandals and the sun. ☀️

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3 replies
melcanada | @melcanada | Nov 15, 2022
In reply to @mtarchangel "Thanks, Mel, for your very positive message. I have just been diagnosed with Stage 4 following..." + (show)
@mtarchangel

Thanks, Mel, for your very positive message. I have just been diagnosed with Stage 4 following a bone scan. Still waiting for my first oncology appointment and, hopefully, the start of a treatment plan. Enjoy Sandals and the sun. ☀️

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Get the true results that you are castrate Sensitive then Get on barticulutimide then Zolodex

Save enzalutamide only if you're castrate resitive

Ask about radiation They nuked 1 inch cancer out of my L2 lumbar using GPS then Zolodex

Get mri scan for facts

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donaldhill9258 | @donaldhill9258 | Nov 18, 2022

Thank you for your positive submissions relating to stage 4 prostate cancer. They give hope in real experiences and help in navigating the dizzying array of other treatments, drugs, etc….
My journey is just beginning in Seattle. Recently diagnose with Gleason “8” and stage 4 with iliac lymph gland involvement. Bone scan next week. Starting bicalutimide this eve, bone scan in a week, and the 4 month interval (hormone?) injections a few days following bone scan. This has happened sooo quickly after a 351 psa. I am hoping this looks like a good course of treatment. 30 years ago I was referred to Mayo Clinic for evaluation of amyloidosis of skin. I was very impressed with quality of care then. So when I was browsing the Mayo website and found this support group, I jumped right in👍. Head swimming with uncertainty, and sometimes worse. Thank you all!

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2 replies
donaldhill9258 | @donaldhill9258 | Nov 18, 2022
In reply to @mtarchangel "Thanks, Mel, for your very positive message. I have just been diagnosed with Stage 4 following..." + (show)
@mtarchangel

Thanks, Mel, for your very positive message. I have just been diagnosed with Stage 4 following a bone scan. Still waiting for my first oncology appointment and, hopefully, the start of a treatment plan. Enjoy Sandals and the sun. ☀️

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Hi

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donaldhill9258 | @donaldhill9258 | Nov 18, 2022
In reply to @mtarchangel "Thanks, Mel, for your very positive message. I have just been diagnosed with Stage 4 following..." + (show)
@mtarchangel

Thanks, Mel, for your very positive message. I have just been diagnosed with Stage 4 following a bone scan. Still waiting for my first oncology appointment and, hopefully, the start of a treatment plan. Enjoy Sandals and the sun. ☀️

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Hello Michael in BC, you and I are beginning a very similar journey. I would love to share experiences with you in this post. By the way I am 69 and have always thought of myself as fit and active, until now.

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1 reply
Michael in BC | @mtarchangel | Nov 18, 2022
In reply to @donaldhill9258 "Hello Michael in BC, you and I are beginning a very similar journey. I would love..." + (show)
@donaldhill9258

Hello Michael in BC, you and I are beginning a very similar journey. I would love to share experiences with you in this post. By the way I am 69 and have always thought of myself as fit and active, until now.

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Thanks for reaching out, Donald (Don?). I just turned 73 and like you have been pretty healthy. Never ha a broken bone or an operation or a serious illness. All in all, can’t complain even with this current challenge. Kind of “pay back” time. Our (Sherry is part of the team) first oncology appointment was just scheduled for November 29th. Feeling somewhat relieved to have it on the calendar and yet another level of anxiety over the new info/prognosis/treatment plan we might receive. I’m trying to maintain a somewhat normal routine but every pang, pain & twitch, however unrelated, gives me pause.

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2 replies
donaldhill9258 | @donaldhill9258 | Nov 18, 2022
In reply to @mtarchangel "Thanks for reaching out, Donald (Don?). I just turned 73 and like you have been pretty..." + (show)
@mtarchangel

Thanks for reaching out, Donald (Don?). I just turned 73 and like you have been pretty healthy. Never ha a broken bone or an operation or a serious illness. All in all, can’t complain even with this current challenge. Kind of “pay back” time. Our (Sherry is part of the team) first oncology appointment was just scheduled for November 29th. Feeling somewhat relieved to have it on the calendar and yet another level of anxiety over the new info/prognosis/treatment plan we might receive. I’m trying to maintain a somewhat normal routine but every pang, pain & twitch, however unrelated, gives me pause.

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Thanks for the rapid reply Michael. I am truly looking forward to communicating as our journeys as well as others unfold! We have a brotherhood here. Don

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melcanada | @melcanada | Nov 19, 2022
In reply to @donaldhill9258 "Thank you for your positive submissions relating to stage 4 prostate cancer. They give hope in..." + (show)
@donaldhill9258

Thank you for your positive submissions relating to stage 4 prostate cancer. They give hope in real experiences and help in navigating the dizzying array of other treatments, drugs, etc….
My journey is just beginning in Seattle. Recently diagnose with Gleason “8” and stage 4 with iliac lymph gland involvement. Bone scan next week. Starting bicalutimide this eve, bone scan in a week, and the 4 month interval (hormone?) injections a few days following bone scan. This has happened sooo quickly after a 351 psa. I am hoping this looks like a good course of treatment. 30 years ago I was referred to Mayo Clinic for evaluation of amyloidosis of skin. I was very impressed with quality of care then. So when I was browsing the Mayo website and found this support group, I jumped right in👍. Head swimming with uncertainty, and sometimes worse. Thank you all!

Jump to this post

Before 40 days of radiation my PSA was 1300

after ,02 on zolodex

4 years later intense rad of L2 took 1 inch out of spine PSA 1,2

Hope springs eternal

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donaldhill9258 | @donaldhill9258 | Nov 19, 2022

Thank you Melcanada, looking forward to hearing more from you and all walking this path. As time goes forward I will share more of my experiences as well! For now it is 8:00 on a frosty but beautiful day in Seattle😎👍 Don

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