Early chemotherapy treatment can extend life by 25% for men with advanced prostate cancer

A major study has found that survival chances are dramatically improved by giving men with advanced prostate cancer a cheap chemotherapy drug soon after diagnosis.

Docetaxel, an established chemotherapy drug, can extend lives by 25 percent if given early on in treatment.

Patients are currently only given the drug after standard hormone therapy has failed, but the new research by Birmingham University has suggested that giving this drug at the same time as hormones is hugely beneficial.

Around 47,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in Britain and more than 11,800 men are killed by the disease, and researchers have been attempting to discover new and more effective drugs in the battle against the disease.

Professor Nick James, who lead the study, said the extended life expectancy brought by chemotherapy made any potential side effects worthwhile.  “How does one measure wanting to live a few more months to see a grandchild born even if the therapy results in difficult side-effects?

“Although there is concern about side-effects, primarily nausea and fatigue, it is clear that avoiding or delaying recurrence outweighs the upfront toxicity of chemotherapy and adds enough to overall quality of life so that using docetaxel is beneficial.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence compensation claims, and have obtained substantial compensation for our clients.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Freephone : 0800 304 7382