Castrate Resistant

After my PSA test in December, my RO who had been managing my ADT decided there was little more he could offer me and referred me to an MO in the same cancer clinic.

An appt was made for today, and so yesterday I had an up to date PSA test. When I turned up for the appt, was surprised to see the reading of 1.8 which is exactly double what it was 6 weeks ago.

There is a possibility that may have been affected by a urinary infection which I had 4 weeks ago but which was quickly cleared up by 2 weeks worth of antibiotics, so more than 2 weeks since any apparent sign of infection.

Nonetheless the MO wants to be cautious and has added Bicalutamide to my regime and we will reassess in 3 weeks, including another PSA test.

In the meantime he is exploring the possibility of including me in a program being run by the pharmaceutical company marketing Abiraterone. In Australia you cannot get Abiraterone on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (ie effectively no cost) unless you have already had chemo. However this program would bypass that requirement. If that doesn’t come through, then possibly onto chemol, though maybe some more scans first, - including PSMA.

Additionally, because my daughter has breast cancer, the MO is considering having me tested for the BRCA2 gene mutation. That may provide another treatment option.

So, mark time for 3 weeks, then it looks like onto the next phase. My initial ADT treatment was so effective, I was hoping for longer this time around, but looks like it is not to be.

Chas

TA, thanks very much for the genetic testing link. That certainly represents a big cost saving.

I got the impression from my MO that he might be able to organise a test at a greatly reduced price, but not sure of that. No rush at present.

My daughters cancer (HER 2+) is NOT indicative of BRCA2 mutation, but on the other hand she contracted the cancer at a relatively young age (39) which could point to BRAC2 mutation. Regrettably she went on to develop liver mets, and just a few weeks ago developed brain mets. One was removed surgically and another 4 treated with gamma knife radiation. Compared to her, my cancer is inconsequential.

Cancer is a sh!t.

Thanks TA, appreciate your comforting words.

Post Edited (Chask) : 2/16/2018 12:41:08 AM (GMT-7)