PROSTATE CANCER DRUG THERAPY: 'DON'T BE AFRAID OF IT

For most prostate cancer patients, surgical or radiotherapy is the initial and primary treatment for this disease. But some patients may benefit from chemotherapy and hormone therapy too, especially if there are signs of a relapse or if the cancer has spread beyond the prostate gland.

When is hormone therapy and/or chemotherapy an appropriate treatment for prostate cancer?

In many ways, when to start hormone and drug therapies for a patient with prostate cancer, this is an art. That is because clinicians should consider many factors, including the age and health of the patient, the stage of cancer and biology, and the response to other therapies.

For men diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, treatment has turned into more effective approaches, first with chemotherapy and with Abiraterone. Abiraterone (Xbira), which works by blocking an androgen-making enzyme that is overexpressed in the tissues of prostate cancer.

Xbira is used for men who have castrate-resistant prostate cancer. This means that their cancer has failed initial medical or surgical attempts to lower testosterone levels. Testosterone is a hormone that allows prostate cancer to grow and spread. Xbira may also be used for prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Click here to view Xbira Details.

Xbira Life Expectancy In Men Not Receiving Chemo

In men who had not previously received chemotherapy, the combination of Xbira plus prednisone led to a 5 month improvement in survival compared to the group receiving placebo plus prednisone, although the result was not statistically significant.

Xbira Life Expectancy In Men Receiving Chemo

The combination of Xbira plus prednisone in men who had received chemotherapy with docetaxel, thad approximately a 4 month survival rate compared to men who were treated with placebo (sugar pill) plus prednisone.

Source: https://prostate.net/articles/zytiga-life-expectancy