Chemotherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer is not common. Often, patients with prostate cancer undergo radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or surgery before they are considered for chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is thus not typically used in the treatment of prostate cancer unless the patient is diagnosed with castration-recurrent metastatic disease.
In castration-recurrent metastatic prostate cancer
First-line chemotherapy treatment involves docetaxel + prednisone. There are other combinations that are sometimes considered, including:
- Docetaxel + estramustine
- Mitoxantrone + prednisone
Unfortunately, this is about the extent of applicable chemotherapy treatment for prostate cancer.
Men who fail docetaxel-based chemotherapy are often encouraged to take part in clinical trials.
References
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network: Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology- V.3.2010. Prostate Cancer
- Boyiadzis, Michael M. et al. Hematology-Oncology Therapy. 2007. New York: McGraw Hill, Medical Publishing Division.
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