Hi, I'm hoping I can get some advice/suggestions/treatment options for my dad. As my name suggests, my father is in the Advanced stage of Prostate Metastatic Cancer. We are in Australia but I am prepared to exhaust all available options and refuse to give up on my father. To this date, chemotheraphy (taxotere) has failed and radiotherapy hasn't provided worthwhile results. Any ideas, suggestions or treatment options will be received gratefully, I am hoping that with your help, I'll be able to find new treatment or medicinal options for him. I realise this awful disease will kill him, but my goal is to extend his life. Here is his brief history :-
Diagnosed in Dec 2005 with prostate cancer. A few weeks later had a radical prostatectomy and his bladder removed ( disease obviously had spread ) a new bladder was reconstructed. March 2006 was treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy to his pelvic area - also receiving every 3 monthly Zolodex shots and taking cosudex daily. Late 2007 PSA dramatically climbed (despite the regular bone scans etc, to 69). He had been receiving taxotere chemotherapy. February 08 my father can't get out of bed, was admitted into hospital and tumour discovered in left hip and left femur, originally hip replacement was suggested but discarded after left femur find, he had surgery with screws to tighten his left femur and radiotherapy - to this day uses a cane to walk.
PSA up and down and it seems chemotherapy (taxotere has failed) pain in lower tail bone and right hip, treated with radiotherapy and no significant problems with this at the moment. But PSA continues to climb, Cannot be treated anymore with radiotherapy to the left hip and left leg as they have said they have already provided too much treatment to that area. Treated with a new form of chemotherapy, Last PSA test done end of September 2008 shows a PSA level of 110. To receive no more chemotherapy treatment as tried to get dad into the Aribaterone trial that has just commenced here - was rejected due to 4 courses of chemotherapy (even if arguably the first 3 were basically the same chemical).
Currently is on Durogesic patches 75mg strength - to be taken off oxynorm breakthrough medication and taking paracetamol. We were devastated to learn he wouldn't be accepted on this trial. It seems for his late stage there is nothing left to try, but I won't give up, Any suggestions, advice or new medication options would be very appreciated.
What can I do? I don't expect miracles, but I want to extend my father's life, I really want to wish all those that suffer from this hideous illness the best and stay strong - continue the fight!
Thank you for reading (sorry for the long post!)
Patricia
