So Chemo is Good for You Again?

You men with incurable prostate cancer have probably heard at least some of this. In recent years men with advanced prostate cancer were usually given chemotherapy only when everything else failed. When your Dr. said, “Let’s try Chemo,” you (or at least me) figured you were almost dead. In a world where cancer drugs showing ‘significant survival benefit’ keep you alive 3.7 extra months, it’s easy to be skeptical of new claims. 

But wait, things are changing…

A recent article published by Medscape reports changes in the use of chemotherapy. Several recent studies have shown that adding chemo BEFORE the hormone blockers (such as abiraterone and enzalutamide) have failed can lead to ‘significant survival benefit’ for many men—in the 17 to 22

month range (on average). That’s good. Docetaxel, a plant based chemotherapy agent, was used in the studies. It has been around nearly 20 years but just recently used earlier in the prostate cancer treatment cycle. 

Men using hormone blockers and who also have metastatic prostate cancer have been treated with docetaxel infusions while the hormone blockers have still been effective. Those men lived significantly longer than men who did not start chemo treatment until the hormone blockers became much less effective.

But there can be side effects…

Side effects are common. Most cancer meds come with some unpleasant side effects. Docetaxel (like other chemotherapies) has side effects that can be serious enough that some men can’t tolerate it. 

Side effects can include:

•         Being allergic to docetaxel
•         Increased risk of infection, red and white cell blood counts low
•         Nausea 
•         Diarrhea 
•         Mouth sores 
•         Weight gain
•         Hair loss (for those who still have hair)
•         ….and more

So when your doctor brings up the subject of chemo—don’t panic, it just might be worth your while (and a few extra months) to consider the possibilities.

axman