Advanced Prostate Cancer

Posted by stackthewood @stackthewood, Feb 27, 2023

I had prostatectomy in 2008. In October 2022, my PSA was 82.0. A second PSA test was 89.0. Then, I had a PSMA/PET Scan. This Scan showed the prostate cancer had spread to various parts of my body. The cancer had been detected in my neck, my chest, my abdomen, my pelvis, and my lower spine. It was classified as Advanced Prostate Cancer. My doctor ordered the injection of Lupron every 3 months. I had the first injection in early January 2023. Also, he prescribed Erleada (Apalutamide). I take four 60 mg tablets every day. I have taken these tablets for about one month. About 10 days ago, I had another PSA test. This time my PSA was 0.81! Is that possible for the PSA to drop 99%? My doctor says I will continue to have the injections and continue on the medication. Please advise. Thank you.

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vjlvpjalways | @vjlvpjalways | Feb 28, 2023

Yes it’s doing it’s job..next text hopefully your at 0 or >less than the labs ability to register..the Lupron stops your body from making testosterone and starves the prostrate cancer so it’s not able to produce PSA.. Hopefully you remain PSA sensitive many many years.. I am currently set to receive third Lupron in 2weeks..

narus | @narus | Feb 28, 2023

In reply to @vjlvpjalways "Yes it’s doing it’s job..next text hopefully your at 0 or >less than the labs ability..." + (show)

There are new alternatives to Lupron, Relugolix is new and a good option.

melcanada | @melcanada | Feb 28, 2023

In reply to @narus "There are new alternatives to Lupron, Relugolix is new and a good option." + (show)

After 2 years zolodex they added xtandi or enzymes 4k a month covered expect it to work average 18 most then something else

Psa back down fast

78 and appreciate life each day

narus | @narus | Feb 28, 2023

I have not been in your position my PSA was 4.19 then without treatment at all it went down to 3.
I was on Lupron for six months and it ruined my life for a year. I am on testosterone therapy about a year, lost 40 pounds and feel great.
I am 65 and if I had to go back on Lupron I would start looking for nursing homes. It severely degraded my quality of life.

spryguy | @spryguy | Feb 28, 2023

In Mar of 2022 my PSA was 83.4. Lupron 6 mos injection. 39 sessions of IMRT that ended July of 2022. Sept 2022 PSA was 0.8 Oct. Added Zytiga.
Oct 2022 PSA was now undetectable (

thenglm | @thenglm | Jul 4 12:22am

I like this information. It gives me courage. I was diagnosed with an aggressive prostate cancer in 2010. Around 2023, my PSA started to rise, but it fluctuated going forward. In June this year, I did the PET Scan, which showed the recurrence of prostate cancer. My urologist put me on enzalutamide and leuprolide. I have to get the leuprolide injection every three months and also take enzalutamide capsules daily. I got my first leuprolide injection on 30 June and started enzalutamide capsules the following day. So, we will see how it goes.

brianjarvis | @brianjarvis | Jul 4 8:39am

Yes, a huge PSA drop is typical; mine dropped 99.8%. I had two 3-month injections of Eligard; the Eligard lingered in my system for an additional 3 months.

The purpose of Lupron (and the other androgen deprivation therapies) is to starve and weaken prostate cancers by depriving them of their food source (testosterone), weakening them, and resulting in PSA dropping to undetectable if possible; my PSA went as low as < 0.008 ng/mL.
> how low is your testosterone?

The purpose of Erleada (and the other androgen receptor pathway inhibitors) is to prevent testosterone from binding to androgen receptors.

Now that your PSA is being suppressed, what treatments do you have planned to kill the remaining prostate cancers?

thenglm | @thenglm | Jul 4 10:24am

In reply to @brianjarvis "Yes, a huge PSA drop is typical; mine dropped 99.8%. I had two 3-month injections of..." + (show)

For me, I only know that my recurrent prostate cancer is still localized (It has not yet spread, but is still in the bed of the prostate only.

ellen45 | @ellen45 | Jul 4 10:48am

My husband has just 6 months to go on a two year abiraterone + prednisone + Lupron depot (every three months) following radiation. He is Gleason 4 +5 advanced prostate cancer. We shall see what happens when it all stops. His psa is undetectable now, but who knows what will happen. Since we started treatment he has been doing ok. He is 81 and has slowed down a lot, but he does’t complain and we spend all of our time together. He has chosen not to have any further treatment other than palliative care if necessary following the end of the hormone therapy. I will let everyone know what happens.

brianjarvis | @brianjarvis | Jul 4 11:16am

In reply to @thenglm "For me, I only know that my recurrent prostate cancer is still localized (It has not..." + (show)

Hormone therapy is a prostate cancer suppressor, not a prostate cancer killer.
Now that you know where it is and are temporarily suppressing it, what are your treatment plans for killing it?