Metastatic Prostate Cancer Treatment on the Central Coast of California
At UACC, our providers are trained in providing comprehensive care the patients with all stages of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer that has spread outside of the prostate is considered metastatic and requires systemic therapy. The hallmark of treating metastatic prostate cancer involves hormonal treatment with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) which drastically reduces the body’s testosterone production. Historically, this was accomplished via surgical removal of the testicles (orchiectomy), but more commonly now this is achieved with medications. There are both oral medication and injections that can accomplish this. Orgovyx is a pill taken on a daily basis. Although it may be inconvenient to take a medication daily, the benefit of this medication is that the body’s testosterone production will resume sooner after discontinuation of the medication. Injections including Eligard and Lupron are commonly used ADT medications and the effects from these medications range from one to six months depending on which form of the medication is used.
Recent studies have shown improved survival outcomes when oral medications are added to ADT when a patient develops metastatic prostate cancer. These medications include abiraterone, Xtandi, Nubeqa and Erleada. Our providers can counsel you regarding which of these medications are most appropriate and facilitate insurance approval for starting treatment for these medications.
Prostate cancer may ultimately not be as responsive to androgen deprivation therapy and may require additional interventions. The treating provider will certainly need to check PSA and imaging periodically reassess the disease. Genetic testing is also being used more commonly to help guide treatment decisions for metastatic prostate cancer. If prostate cancer becomes castrate resistant, there are additional therapies that are recommended.
Provenge is a therapy in which certain cells from your immune system called T cells are manipulated and then transfused back into the patient, so that the immune system can become a better prostate cancer killer. Xofigo involves the injection of an agent that is targeted to metastatic prostate cancer in the bones. It utilizes radiotherapy to accomplish this. PARP inhibitors are some additional medications that are used in select patients based on genetic testing results. Leuticium is a very promising agent, for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer as well.
