one size fits all?

[Guest guest]

Terry;

Since you are now taking some ADT after a prolonged WW, you might want to say how you are doing ..... results wise... and if any adverse side effects?

When the Urologist said there were several options that I could attempt to slow the progression of the PCa tumors, there was very little for me to understand about these options because he was in no mood or did not have the time to try and school me on the what and wherefore of several drugs and how they were administered etc. He gave me a booklet on Viadur... and it was implanted. Thus I accepted the ADT approach as it was obvious, nothing was left as an option at that time. No surgery, no seed implant, a diagnosed stage 4. or a T2b (which he said did not truly define what I had and that it was more progressed than what the reports I was given said and was in reality more advanced....period!.

This Leuprolide has given me some very disturbing side effects ( that is if these side effects are solely attributed to the implant is a mute question because I was also sent to an Oncologist who further tested for metastasis and informed me that indeed the cancer had moved to the bone). His suggestion was ( I am sure he must have used all subjective reasoning and application as to the volume and series of radiation etc to use) and we agreed to take 15 radiation sessions to the one defined tumor in my back. I have history of arthritis and a degenerative spine of some spondylolothesis (sp) that was an ongoing back problem for most of my adult life. (50 years or more)_BUT he very adamantly insisted that indeed I had no choice but to try radiation to try and slow the tumor down and that it had metastasized and the radiation would keep the cancer from continuing to go further. (that seems to be the crux of what I believe was discussed, though he may have added more information about the radiation that now seems to have eluded me or has since been forgotten). (for Fuller -- it was photon.)

In any event when discussing the side effects with the Onc. he seemed to be under the opinion that the Leuprolide implant was supplying most, if not all of the side effects.

It is a given that radiation can and does have adverse effects to some people. If it is so strong as to alter DNA etc. then it is also capable of doing some serious damage that could also be irreversable. Is that not so? And if so, then radiation could contribute to and add to the miserable side effects, such as debilitating achy, tired, listless,inner turmoil going on constantly with very little relief from pain drugs (oxycodone, tylenol to name two) and the inability to get any kind of rest whatsoever. Implant was done Feb 07 and unless I elect to have it removed will be there until next February.

The question of whether this implant or injections of the similar drugs are a "one size fits all" or are there various factors taken into consideration, such as weight of a person, age, metabolism etc. etc. which if used one would have to believe that in order to stage a treatment lots of input would have to be evaluated before any infusion was started.?

I don't think this was done in my case as time between sessions were too short to imply someone had prepared or charted anything.

Just a thought, but from what I am able to garner from the printed information of the Viadur it is very difficult for me ( or it seems for anyone) to understand it completely as presented. And if prior extensive evaluation would have to be heavily considered before attempting any ADT procedure, (it is my understanding that that was definetly not done in my case) it seems it sure should be a prime consideration.

A quality of life, whether you are 60, 70 or 80 seems to be something we all hope to achieve either with or without treatment., not just quantity.

After reading some posts on this site I wish there was something being said that would fortify the belief that 'something' is working! Alas too many ifs and buts to please me at this juncture I am afraid to say. And we really do not have much choice when having an advanced cancer do we?

Your comments and directive (if any) is surely appreaciated.

Thanx .

Bill. 76 Diag. Jan 07. Viadur implant Feb 07. radiation to spine (ended May 07) stage 4 Gl.8 4/4 4/4 both sides 12 punch. ablation done. one Zometa Sept 07. Since implant last PSA dropped from 5.4 to 0.8 next due Nov. 07.