Prostate

Hi my husband been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in January and has spread into his Lymph nodes (locally) 

T3 5+4 Gleason 9

He has started his Hormone injections and was all ready to agree to chemotherapy, but his consultant has told him he qualifies for 
Abiraterone acetate (Zytiga) and will have to take them for two and a half years. 
Does anyone know anything about this treatment? 

  • Hello Seaharbour and welcome to the forum, though sorry you have to be here. Abiraterone is a hormone therapy treatment taken in tablet form specifically for advanced prostate cancer, it will probably be taken along side the HT injections your husband is already taking, along with a corticosteroid maybe prednisone, It's given to stop your body producing testosterone, which will most likely cause side effects which you will be told about and you will have regular check-ups, blood pressure, bloods potassium levels all routine, though you must contact your Dr or nurse if you have any concerns, take care.

    Eddie

  • Thank you Eddiel for your information I would have preferred him to have the chemotherapy and have it over with instead of Abiraterone acetate for two and a half years but the consult said that there is a slightly better result, I’m just not sure if he’s saying that because our hospital is so busy and a chemotherapy consultant has just left and they are under staffed, so is it an easy option for them to put him on the tablets.

  • Hi Seaharbour, I can't argue about cancer units being over stretched and under staffed, my cancer unit has lost 4 oncologists lately and i have not seen my oncologist since treatment last April, I have advanced prostate cancer which had spread to iliac nodes and seminal vesicles  and had aggressive radiotherapy and hormone therapy for life, so I'm not sure why your hubby is only on HT, though I have friends who had Abiraterone with very good results, You are allowed a second opinion and if you wanted it quickly, could see a private consultant, take care.

    Eddie

  • Hi Eddie thanks again for you reply, I’m so sorry to hear about your health,  life can be so unfair sometimes I wish you well for the future.

    My husband has started his hormone injections, and tomorrow he is going to hospital to pick up the Abiraterone acetate then in September should be starting his radiotherapy, so his treatment is progressing. 
    Just hope everything goes to plan. Thanks again for your advice.

  • Happy to help, hope radiotherapy goes well, take care.

    Eddie