Radium 223

My husbands Radiologist is wanting to start my husband on Radium 223.  He is checking with his oncologist (Dr. Oliver Sartor) to get his thoughts.  He is thinking that being "aggressive" with this new treatment, might help "cure" the cancer.  Husband has had radiation and is still on hormone therapy.  PSA is still 0, and has been for about a year.  Does have some bone mets - but recent bone scan does not reveal any new ones. Am interested in anyones reaction to Radium 223, including any side effects.  Thanks.

Depending on what is meant by "some bone mets" you may want to do a search on Oligometastasis which by definition is <=5 mets.

Thanks for starting this thread. So far I am responding well to HT, but suspect this topic will apply to me at some point in future.

LupronJim

Hi Debbie,

Receiving 4th Radium223 infusion next week. No discernible side effects. Also doing Xtandi,Firmagon,Avodart,Metformin and estrogen patches. Have had widespread mets for over two years but hence far Dr. Charles Myers of Virginia has held them in check. Last PET/CT revealed no new mets and some improvement on existing ones. I was metastatic right out of surgery five years ago with two positive lymph nodes so rest assured that this disease can be successfully addressed on many different levels. Lupron Jim's reference to searching "Oligometastasis" may be of significant benefit. Happy to answer any questions. Stay in touch.

Jim

Hi, Debbie,
my husband had first xofigo injection about 10 days ago. You can see by my signature that he has used up most of the available PC tools. Currently on Xtendi, Xgeva and Xofigo so he is definitely XXX rated! He had a lot of bone mets but no current visceral (soft tissue) or lymph mets, all healed or reduced in size to meet the criteria for using Xofigo. So far minimal SE's. His red count is down a little. His PSA went down from 606 a month ago to 566 this Tuesday, so Xofigo must have hit some of the bone mets already. The Xofigo targets current bone mets and also seems to inhibit new mets from forming.

I'm glad your docs are being aggressive. I think that Mark would have benefited by docs being more aggressive 2 or 3 years ago, although some of his current meds were not on the market at the time.

I've posted on Xtandi and Xofigo thread and I think there may be at least one more regular member who is on the Xofigo therapy.

Check this thread too, for more info
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=2877703

Keep us posted.

Pat

Yesterday, I seen my medical radiation doctor. In stead of radiation to my right hip\lower back (still a lot of pain and taking 3 Morphine Sulf ER 30 mg a day plus Percocet for break through pain, past two nights, have been sleeping a little more), he recommended I go to my oncologist and have him give me Radium-223. I'm calling him this morning (just called, closed due to inclement weather here in the Memphis, TN area, will call Monday). He also, called another doctor and told him my case, the other doctor said I'd be a good candidate! Yesterday afternoon, my Rad Doctor was to call my oncologist.

We'll see what happens from here.

Dave in Bartlett, TN

Pat,

Thanks for the information. I'll check out Xtandi and older threads about Xofigo. Been having some kind of pain since last summer and so ready for some time without pain. We're getting there, will just take a little more time!!

Praying for you and your husband.

Thanks again,

Dave

Hope you will be able to help me out. RAD223 has been recommended to me as I have bone metastasis on few spots- L3, neck, ribs. (But the worst is L3). Am bit scared of this RAD223 as the red and white cells will go down after 1st dose then kind of goes up before 2nd dose will be administered. IIn the meantime, will be subject to infections due to low immune system. Is this true? thanks