Treatments/statistics/sources with prostate cancer that has spread to lymph nodes?

Question

A friend was diagnosed with prostate cancer that has spread to his lymph nodes only (has not spread to any other organs or bones). All I can find are sources that explain staging and treatments, but the more aggressive treatments (surgery/radiation) seem to be only for localized or low-grade cancer. I know the FDA seems to take forever to approve drugs/treatments that are being used abroad with great results; how do I find info on these types of studies done outside the US? Is it only a matter of time before his cancer spreads from the nodes at this point or is there a shot of chemo & hormones stopping it? Since it hasn't spread any further, wouldn't removing the prostate along with the nodes benefit him? I haven't found anything stating surgery as an option once it spreads from the prostate. I'm sorry this is so long with so many questions! Thank you!

Answer 1

Beam radiation of the prostate bed and hormonal treatment are possible next actions. Chemo isn't used until the final stages. With these therapies, he has a good five year life expectancy, because even late stage disease is slow moving. You can find case studies at
http://www.yananow.net and you can work out his statistics at
http://www.prostatecalculator.org You can use Google Scholar to research journal articles. Best of luck.

As for therapies outside the US, there are few initiatives in prostate cancer research coming from overseas. The only significant overseas therapy I am aware of is HIFU, but that's not appropriate for a more advance case.

Answer 2

If the cancer has spread from its original point then it is now a type 2 cancer. this is still a reasonably good chance of recovery as long as it was caught early on and is being treated with a more aggressive chemo regiment. The reason why surgery is ruled out is because it is no longer localized and this would cause several prolonged surgeries is some cases and can weaken the patients ability fight the cancer. chemo is very harsh on the body and docors prefer to minimize the additional stress. There still may be instances of surgery but this woud be to remove specific tumors that are either not responding to chemo or are continuing to grow. The danger of lymphoma( the cancer of the lymph system) is that is is a fast spreading cancer. It has the ability to jump to other organs and systems. operating on it serves little purpose unless it is in just on or 2 nodes since removing the nodes also removes the immune system with it. As for other test in other countries, you would be able to find them rather easily, if you switch you computer over to there countries settings such as language and use their search engines to look it up. you will need to read and write that language as most foriegn medical sites are written in their native language. you can try doing a search in the UK. it would be in English

Answer 3

I don't think the surgery is a good option...read more about lance Armstrong on the net as he had 5 different cancer types..basically his cancer was all over him and no one wonted to treat him..but he is still alive and compete for tour Du France!
also read about Gerson therapy...and think of Nutritional Therapy..read about patrick holford as he is one of the leading in the field in UK...also I wont count much on chemo as chemo only smash down the immune system and kills everything good....As long as your friend breath he have chance to reverse the condition so don't stop and try whatever possible! Also he will need very healthy and organic diet and lot of good quality supplements.

Answer 4

Your friend has an advanced stage of prostatic cancer and the treatment for localized prostatic cancer will not cure him(surgery or RTX). He is candidate for hormonal therapy. If you want to find experimental treatment protocols in the us you can check www.nih.gov.