Prostate cancer found in early stages is highly treatable without the use of chemotherapy. "The Core Curriculum of Oncology Nursing" reports surgery, hormone therapy, and/or radiation as often effective for curing prostate cancer. According to the American Cancer Society five year survival rates for prostate cancer reach nearly 100 percent. If not found in early stages, prostate cancer may be considered advanced and treatment consists of chemotherapy.
Taxotere
Taxotere is considered by both the American Cancer Society and "The Chemotherapy Source Book" as the leading chemotherapy treatment for advanced prostate cancer. Taxotere works by attacking the microtubule within the cancer cell. This causes the cell to become unable to replicate and divide. Weekly or every third week comprises current administration schedules. Taxotere is given with a steroid called prednisone.
Methotrexate
Formerly the standard treatment for prostate cancer; methotrexate coupled with prednisone as treatment. Methotrexate is one of the oldest chemotherapy drugs dating back to the 1940s. It works by inhibiting chemicals that aid in the making of DNA and RNA. Without the ability to create new DNA/RNA the cell becomes unable to replicate and divide. "The Chemotherapy Source Book" reports that methotrexate improved tumor responses of up to 29 percent when used with prednisone. Despite responsiveness of the tumor, methotrexate shows no improvement in survival rates for men with prostate cancer.
Ixabenpilone and Satraplatin
According to "The Chemotherapy Source Book" exalbepilone is a new chemotherapy that works similarly to Taxotere. Thirty-three percent of tumors responded to treatment with Ixabenpilone alone. When coupled with another older chemotherapy called estramustine, tumor response rates increased to 69 percent. Another emerging drug called Satraplatin kills cancer cells by crossing DNA chains incorrectly. A 2005 study reported increased survival in patients treated with satraplatin.
Other Chemotherapy
Although not as commonly used, several other chemotherapy drugs have been listed by The American Cancer Society as used in the treatment for prostate cancer. These medications include estramustine, doxorubicin, etoposide, vinblastine, paclitaxel, carboplatin, and vinerolbine. Typically use of these medications occurs after other treatments have been exhausted.
References
- American Cancer Society: Prostate Cancer Chemotherapy
- "The Chemotherapy Source Book"; Michael C. Perry, PhD.; 2007
- "Core Cirriculum for Oncology Nursing"; Itano, J. Ph.D., Taoka, K. MSN; 2005
