Victory Over Stage Iv Metastatic Prostate Cancer
I am Jeff Poole, my diagnosis is stage IV metastatic prostate cancer. My journey began in the winter of 2014 when I started experiencing pain in my groin. I would later discover what I assumed was a pulled groin muscle to my surprise would turn out to be cancer.
My pain seemed to be getting better until I slipped on the ice in January of 2015. In February, I went to my Doctor and after finding no muscle issues my doctor ordered blood work. When the blood work results came back, they revealed that my Prostate Specific Antigen was 11, with 4 being normal for my age.
In March, I had a bone scan and a prostate biopsy confirming my cancer with a PSA that was now 26. During the next couple of months my wife, Sherrie and I did a ton of research. I read enough to scare myself, so I decided to let Sherrie research and then discuss her findings with me.
When we met with my Surgeon he sat with us and explained everything one might want to know about prostate cancer and my options. We had decided that prostate removal would be the smart choice if the cancer had not metastasized. The surgeon questioned an issue on the bone scan report, which led to more x-rays and the discovery of two lesions on my pubic bone. I was then referred to my Oncologist. When we met with the Oncologist he sent me for a bone biopsy. The biopsy confirmed the lesions were prostate cancer metastasis.
Life Expectancy Of Stage 4 Liver Cancer
Life Expectancy of Stage 4 Liver Cancer is not very impressing at all. The stage is concerned as one of the most critical Liver Cancer. The impact of the Liver Cancer Stage 4 is very bad, and the condition gets worse with time. On average patient may survive for 6 months. However, if the complexity of Liver is less then, people may survive for even couple of years. However, the life expectancy of Stage 4 depends upon the condition of the people.
Managing Advanced Prostate Cancer Brochure
As part of our educational efforts at ZERO, we have developed this brochure to provide you and your loved ones with information about advanced prostate cancer, treatment options, managing side effects, and other valuable information. to download a PDF of the brochure or email to request printed materials.
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Stage 4 Prostate Cancer: Symptoms And Treatment
Prostate cancer is a common ailment in older adults. It is currently the most commonly diagnosed cancer type in males. It is also the second cause of cancer-related death in males.
But not all types of prostate cancer are dangerous, and only aggressive cancer leads to advanced disease.
Every step in the clinical management of prostate cancer is complex and highly variable. From screening to watchful waiting and advanced prostate cancer management, almost everything related to this disease is currently not carved in stone. New advances and statistics contribute to advancing our understanding of the disease. Thus, management guidelines are always subject to change.
In this article, were reviewing the state-of-art in advanced prostate cancer management. Stage 4 prostate cancer causes a variety of health problems and complications. Thus, it is essential to identify and understand the disease to prevent late-stage cancer in high-risk patients.
In this article, were reviewing the state-of-art in advanced prostate cancer management. Stage 4 prostate cancer causes a variety of health problems and complications. Thus, it is essential to identify and understand the disease to prevent late-stage cancer in high-risk patients.
What Are My Treatment Options With Advanced Prostate Cancer
The treatments your doctor recommends will depend on factors specific to you, from your overall health to how advanced your cancer was when it was first diagnosed.
Many men receive ADT, a type of hormone therapy, which deprives the body of the male hormones that the cancer needs to keep growing.
For most men, however, hormone therapy stops working at some point. Alternatives to hormone therapy were approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2018, and Tagawa often starts men on these therapies as soon as theyre diagnosed with bone metastases. Other treatment options may be available through clinical trials.
In addition, chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy as well as radiation treatments, like external beam radiation, which directly target bone problems may be considered. Major cancer centers, such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, have teams of prostate cancer specialists, as well as sophisticated radiation and other treatment equipment consolidated in one place, which can help with the coordination of care.
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How Will My Cancer Be Monitored
Your doctor will talk to you about how often you should have check-ups. At some hospitals, you may not have many appointments at the hospital itself. Instead, you may talk to your doctor or nurse over the telephone. You might hear this called self-management.
You will have regular PSA tests. This is often a useful way to check how well your treatment is working. Youll also have regular blood tests to see whether your cancer is affecting other parts of your body, such as your liver, kidneys or bones.
You might have more scans to see how your cancer is responding to treatment and whether your cancer is spreading.
Your doctor or nurse will also ask you how youre feeling and if you have any symptoms, such as pain or tiredness. This will help them understand how youre responding to treatment and how to manage any symptoms. Let them know if you have any side effects from your treatment. There are usually ways to manage these.
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What Happens If My Cancer Starts To Grow Again
Your first treatment may help keep your cancer under control. But over time, the cancer may change and it may start to grow again.
You will usually stay on your first type of hormone therapy, even if its not working so well. This is because it will still help to keep the amount of testosterone in your body low. But there are other treatments that you can have alongside your usual treatment, to help control the cancer and manage any symptoms. Other treatments include:
Which treatments are suitable for me?
Which treatments are suitable for you will depend on many things, including your general health, how your cancer responds to treatment, and which treatments youve already had. Talk to your doctor or nurse about your own situation, or speak to our Specialist Nurses.
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Advice To Those Going Through Prostate Cancer
Dan mentions that swimming definitively helped him get ready for surgery, you just fight, to gain extra days, hours, whatever its going to take. He adamantly believes and recommends working out to improve ones recovery time, and how well one does with surgery, I think it needs to be talked about.
Coping With Prostate Cancer
The diagnosis of cancer can cause great anxiety to the individual and his family and friends. At times, one may have troubles coping with the diagnosis, the disease, and its treatment. Searching online for information may prove overwhelming also and may not be the best resource. Ask your physician or local hospital about local resources. Often, there are local prostate cancer support groups which may help you cope with your feelings and provide local resources for more knowledge.
You may consider contacting one or more of the following organizations:
- US Prostate Cancer Foundation,
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ,
- American Cancer Society, and
- Patient Advocates for Advanced Cancer Treatment.
The Internet has provided access to a number of sites focusing on prostate cancer treatment and outcomes. The National Cancer Institute and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network have patient information, as well as the American Urological Association.
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The Stages Of Prostate Cancer: What You Need To Know
After a prostate cancer diagnosis, your oncologist will refer to the stage of your cancer. All cancers are categorized into four distinct stages, each of which identifies the progress of the growth of cancerous cells within clinically defined standards. These stages help doctors determine the most appropriate care for each patient based on his or her condition, and can also provide easy-to-understand context for your diagnosis. Learn more about the stages of prostate cancer, how each stage will affect your treatment plan and the survival rates for each stage, then contact Regional Cancer Care Associates to schedule a consultation.
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The Essential Health Blog
Dennis is an 85 year old Stage 4 Prostate Cancer survivor. Nine years ago, Dennis doctor only gave him 2 1/2 months to live. Several months later, Dennis shocked his doctor when he returned cancer-free. Learn about Dennis amazing story in his own words.
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Steves Gleason Score 6 Stage 2 To 4 Metastatic Prostate Cancer Story
Steve shares his stage 2 to stage 4 prostate cancer story, Gleason score 6, and undergoing extensive treatment that included several radiation therapies, active surveillance, prostatectomy, and a newer treatment called Lutetium-177.
As someone who now advocates for other patients, Steve also highlights how he navigated life after his prostate cancer diagnosis, spotlighting the importance of being a self-advocate as a patient, how he uses holistic approaches in support, and the importance of men talking about their pain and problems on the path to healing.
The last thing someone whos been diagnosed wants to hear is, Its going to be fine. Theyre probably thinking, Well, I sure dont feel that way!
Thats why you always need to start by validating the person whos been diagnosed. Show empathy and get a sense of how theyre feeling.
Steve R.
Diagnosis & Treatment
What was your first PSA level and Gleason score
When I got diagnosed my PSA was 5.7, and my Gleason score was a 3 + 3. That was a lower-grade cancer at that point.
Describe the first treatment you underwent
I first did IMRT, which is intensity modulated radiation therapy. I did 42 sessions of that in the summer of 2001, hoping for a cure.
Active surveillance for ten years
When did you realize your cancer was still there
Surgery
Physical Activity Improves Outcomes After A Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Shefflers advice and that of his doctors is backed by research. Exercise is not only safe for cancer survivors but likely has positive effects on cancer prevention, progression, and survival.
A 2019 report found strong evidence that physical activity improves longevity among cancer survivors. The report was based on conclusions from 40 experts on exercise and cancer.
Research into prostate cancer suggests that staying active after diagnosis is associated with 33% lower risk of death from cancer and 45% lower risk of death from any cause.
With increasing evidence that exercise can help manage symptoms and delay disease progression, many view it as a major opportunity in prostate cancer treatment. A 2017 paper on exercise and advanced prostate cancer called physical activity provocative medicine.
For survivors like Sheffler, the strongest evidence might be found in how exercise impacted their own journeys through diagnosis and treatment.
I think there really is a connection between your outlook, your mental attitude, and your physical well-being, he tells Healthline.
Stephen Eisenmann, who received a stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis in 2016, recalls that it was sometimes challenging to stay active during treatment.
I went through six cycles of chemo with hormone therapy as my first level of treatment.
Mentally and physically I just felt better.
Eisenmann notes that advice from the Prostate Cancer Foundation helped him on his journey.
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Eric: Head And Neck Cancer Survivor
Eric Bowles was 16 when he noticed what he thought was a canker sore on the side of his tongue. Over the next month the sore gradually grew, but only bothered him if directly touched. During routine x-rays at the dentists office, Eric asked them to be careful since he had a spot on his tongue that was sensitive. The dentist took one look and called an oral surgeon who met with Eric the next day and performed a biopsy of the lesion. Everyone was shocked when the diagnosis came back as squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.
Stage 4 Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials
Clinical trials provide cancer patients with life-extending and curative new medicines. Clinical drug trials are critical in getting new medicines to patients who need them the most, as well as securing data so that regulatory clearances may be secured, and new drugs can enter broad clinical practice. Patients who take part in clinical trials benefit both treatment science and their fellow patients.
There are currently 100 Phase III drug trials and more than 500 Phase I/II trials related to prostate cancer treatment in progress in the United States alone. Those that are approved will join the 12 new drugs that have been approved for men with advanced/metastatic disease since 2010 and further improve outcomes for patients:
Using our AI-powered approach, Massive Bio leads patients through the most extensive clinical trial matching process available.
We can assist you if you have been diagnosed with any of the following prostate cancer subtypes:
- Transitional Cell Carcinoma
- Small Cell Carcinoma
If you do not know which type of prostate cancer you have, that is okay. Additional testing can help you determine your exact diagnosis.
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Cancer Sucks Survivorship Doesnt Have To
Matthew Zachary is an advocate in the adolescent and young adult cancer survivor community who recently created OffScrip Media, an audio network devoted to sharing stories of patients and advocates.
Matthew Zachary doesnt do anything halfway. After being told in 1995 at age 21 that hed likely be dead in 6 months from brain cancer, he survived and went on to found Stupid Cancer in 2007, an advocacy organization credited with kickstarting the adolescent and young adult cancer movement.
With help from other survivors and advocates, he built a new community of AYA cancer survivors and families, one he wished he had in 1995. To Matt, survivoradvocates are a driving force in all cancer research progress. He described the Cancer MoonshotSM, the governments effort to accelerate such progress, as what advocacy really pushed for. Were actually using a term Kennedy did, . We couldve never had this conversation 50 years ago because we were dying, but its happening now thanks to advocates efforts and advances in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
In 2019, Matt stepped down as CEO of Stupid Cancer and created OffScrip Media, a podcast network sharing voices and stories of patients and advocates. This year, hes celebrating his 25th cancerversary. I dont know how Im still here, he said, But I intend to keep living with punch, meaning, and purpose.
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Hours 10 Jellyfish Stings And 23 Kilometers Later
When he told me the name of his toy manufacturing company was called, Hot Buttered Elves, I was intrigued.
WARNING: do not attempt this without training.
Months before swimming 23 kilometers in the Mediterranean, Dan, 57, was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer, and instead of succumbing to the waves of meeting ones fateful mortality, Dan fought even harder to persevere to Elbas shorelines.
Ive got to last long enough to see my kids get married.
Dan was motivated to deeper levels of determination he said he didnt know he had after the news of prostate cancer sunk in. As a long-distance ocean swimmer, he regarded his physical conditioning as a means to mentally plunge forward.
Dans diagnosis came in December of 2021 after bloodwork reported a PSA level of 9.5, the average is 3.4 according to Dan, while experiencing symptoms of goutarthritis, which causes inflammation of joints due to excess uric acid.
Its a fight, its a battle. Just go for it.
The 23-kilometer swim across the Mediterranean from Italy to the island of Elba was scheduled for July 3rd, 2022. While looking for the best possible treatment, Dan continued to train 3 hours every day swimming the Californian currents.
However, in 6 months, Dans PSA levels went from 9.5 to 13.2, an indication the cancer was moving fast.
Finding Dr. Wilson took Dan months of weighing his options, after interviewing 5 different hospitals teamsSaint Johns was a no-brainerit was a seamless level of care and attention.
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Advocating For Your Health
- After seeking medical attention for a sore throat and a papery whisper of a voice, Jen Hardy was eventually diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
- Metastatic breast cancer is technically not curable, but with ongoing advancements in treatments and options to dramatically reduce symptoms, there are many reasons to be hopeful.
- Being your own advocate can be key to coming to a correct cancer diagnosis and obtaining the best treatment possible while dealing with a diagnosis.
Cancer diagnoses always come as an unwanted surprise. Take Scottish mother Jen Hardy, for example. Her metastatic breast cancer diagnosis came about after seeking medical attention for a symptom more unusual than most: a sore throat and a papery whisper of a voice.
Hardy, 54, went to the doctor thinking she had a throat infection and left with a diagnosis of laryngitis and a recommendation of rest. Unfortunately, this would prove to be a misdiagnosis.
After five weeks of barely being able to speak, she returned to her doctor and was sent for a CT scan. The results that came back were shocking.
I had lost my voice for weeks, but I never thought that it would be cancer and had no concept of the urgency when I was told to come straight home,she told BBC Scotland. And even when I was told it was incurable I still didnt appreciate what it meant.