Hope For Patients With Prostate Cancer

Researchers say new research might help extend the survival for men with advanced prostate cancer.In one study, researchers studied more than 600 men with hormone-refractory prostate cancer. About half of the men were treated with the drug combination docetaxel and estramustine while the other half was treated with standard care, which is mitoxantrone and prednisone.

Researchers found improved survival among the men who received the docetaxel/estramustine treatment and it was also found that there was a greater significance in survival rates . Men in the docetaxel/estramustine group were found to have about a 20-percent reduced risk of death.Thus researchers say that this shows that docetaxel can effectively treat [this type of] prostate cancer. Side effects include nausea, vomiting and infections.

In a second study, researchers studied men with prostate cancer who received one of three treatments: docetaxel plus prednisone every week; a higher dose of docetaxel plus prednisone every three weeks, or mitoxantrone plus prednisone weekly. Researchers say survival among the men who received the docetaxel/prednisone treatment every three weeks was significantly greater (18.9 months) than the other two treatment regimens (17.4 months and 16.5 months respectively). Results show there was also a greater drop in PSA level among men in this treatment group, as well as less pain and improved quality of life.Thus researchers say it is indeed a reason for celebration and also optimism as it can serve as platform for further research.