I'm interested in conversations about and I want to talk about
Know exactly what you want?
Show search

Notification

Error

is anyone on Diethylstilbestrol

Email this conversation Print this conversation
User
Posted 06 Feb 2021 at 08:04

This is what Tony's Oncologist is thinking about putting Tony on according to what results he gets from a scan and next blood results, has anyone been on this at all?

 

Thanks Barbara x

User
Posted 06 Feb 2021 at 10:34
It is more commonly called Stilboestrol. It is a very long established treatment which some people turn their noses up at these days because it is based on oestrogen, but it can be really effective for some men. Devonmaid's John was on Stilboestrol from the start and as you know, he outshone all predictions
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 07 Feb 2021 at 11:53

Diethylstilbestrol was the first hormone therapy drug for prostate cancer. It's a synthetic estrogen, which works by depressing testosterone levels. In some respects it's better than today's GnRH analogues (Zoladex, Prostap, Decapeptyl, Degarelix), because it doesn't cause some of their side effects (such as hot flushes, osteoporosis). However, it does have other long term side effects in some men.

I know there are some people here on the PATCH trial, where Estradiol skin patches are used to provide an estrogen dose, to have the same testosterone depressing effects, without the hot flushes, osteoporosis, etc. In the US, some men on the GnRH analogues are also given Estradiol skin patches to avoid hot flushes, osteoporosis, etc. You probably can't take Tamoxifen to suppress breast gland growth if you are on Diethylstilbestrol or Estradiol, as it would cancel them out.

By the way, although it was sometimes called Stilbestrol, that's actually the name of a different chemical, so I always avoid that rather unfortunate nickname.

Edited by member 07 Feb 2021 at 12:02  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 07 Feb 2021 at 14:20
Stilboestrol is the registered trade name for diethylstilbestrol.

I suspect after 15 years of intermittent Zoladex, sometimes with bicalutimide, and then a few years of abiraterone, any worry about moobs is long past.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 07 Feb 2021 at 21:20

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
Stilboestrol is the registered trade name for diethylstilbestrol.

Stilbestrol and diethylstilbestrol are two different drugs (the former much weaker than the latter as a synthetic estrogen).

The trade name is confusing, which is why I don't use it.

User
Posted 08 Feb 2021 at 03:01

My friend was on Zoladex and Bicalutamide, which stopped working after two years (his oncologist told me he was lucky as Bicalutamide only usually works for 12-18 months).

He was put on Stilbestrol (a drug from the 1940’s developed to help menopausal and pregnant women), and that worked very well with no side-effects for around two years, but the cancer developed resistance to that too. Some men are on it for years.

It costs about a penny a day, whereas some of the latest ‘wonder drugs’ cost £80 a day!

Cheers, John.

Edited by member 14 Feb 2021 at 16:38  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 14 Feb 2021 at 13:49

Good luck with Tony’s results 🤞

Ange x

Show Most Thanked Posts
User
Posted 06 Feb 2021 at 10:34
It is more commonly called Stilboestrol. It is a very long established treatment which some people turn their noses up at these days because it is based on oestrogen, but it can be really effective for some men. Devonmaid's John was on Stilboestrol from the start and as you know, he outshone all predictions
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 06 Feb 2021 at 14:38
Thanks Lyn i hadn't heard of it before so hopefully Tony will be able to go on it.

regards Barbara x

User
Posted 07 Feb 2021 at 11:53

Diethylstilbestrol was the first hormone therapy drug for prostate cancer. It's a synthetic estrogen, which works by depressing testosterone levels. In some respects it's better than today's GnRH analogues (Zoladex, Prostap, Decapeptyl, Degarelix), because it doesn't cause some of their side effects (such as hot flushes, osteoporosis). However, it does have other long term side effects in some men.

I know there are some people here on the PATCH trial, where Estradiol skin patches are used to provide an estrogen dose, to have the same testosterone depressing effects, without the hot flushes, osteoporosis, etc. In the US, some men on the GnRH analogues are also given Estradiol skin patches to avoid hot flushes, osteoporosis, etc. You probably can't take Tamoxifen to suppress breast gland growth if you are on Diethylstilbestrol or Estradiol, as it would cancel them out.

By the way, although it was sometimes called Stilbestrol, that's actually the name of a different chemical, so I always avoid that rather unfortunate nickname.

Edited by member 07 Feb 2021 at 12:02  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 07 Feb 2021 at 14:20
Stilboestrol is the registered trade name for diethylstilbestrol.

I suspect after 15 years of intermittent Zoladex, sometimes with bicalutimide, and then a few years of abiraterone, any worry about moobs is long past.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 07 Feb 2021 at 21:20

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
Stilboestrol is the registered trade name for diethylstilbestrol.

Stilbestrol and diethylstilbestrol are two different drugs (the former much weaker than the latter as a synthetic estrogen).

The trade name is confusing, which is why I don't use it.

User
Posted 08 Feb 2021 at 03:01

My friend was on Zoladex and Bicalutamide, which stopped working after two years (his oncologist told me he was lucky as Bicalutamide only usually works for 12-18 months).

He was put on Stilbestrol (a drug from the 1940’s developed to help menopausal and pregnant women), and that worked very well with no side-effects for around two years, but the cancer developed resistance to that too. Some men are on it for years.

It costs about a penny a day, whereas some of the latest ‘wonder drugs’ cost £80 a day!

Cheers, John.

Edited by member 14 Feb 2021 at 16:38  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 14 Feb 2021 at 10:10

Tony had his scan yeterday, was on our way home before his appointment time so that made a nice change, now the wait for results hopefully in about 2 weeks.

User
Posted 14 Feb 2021 at 13:49

Good luck with Tony’s results 🤞

Ange x

User
Posted 23 Feb 2021 at 16:15
Spoke to Tony's renal specialist yesterday and his PSA has gone back up to 22.5 so think the drop was just a blip, his Oncologist is phoning next Wednesday and hopefully will have results of his scan and then see where we go from there.

regards barbara x

 
Forum Jump  
Email this conversation Print this conversation

Join the online community now.

Click through to become a member and gain access to support, information and real time replies.




MenuTop ▲
©2024 Prostate Cancer UK