Abstract
Background: Most metastatic prostate cancer patients receive combined androgen blockade (CAB) as the mainstay of treatment. Unfortunately, patients ultimately progress to castration resistance. Clinical finding and diagnosis: We describe a man in his eighties who developed stage IV, M1b prostate cancer, multiple (≥5) bone metastases, and required the aid of a walker to ambulate. Without treatment, his treating physician predicted he would survive 6 months. Interventions and outcomes: The patient initially responded well to treatment with CAB, but during the 68-80th week of treatment he developed castration resistance. Bicalutamide was then discontinued. He chose to begin practicing Falun Gong (FLG) at week 89 as an alternative form of care while continuing two doses of leuprolide acetate. His PSA decreased by 86% within five weeks, he walked independently at 17 weeks and bone metastases disappeared in 41-43 weeks after beginning to practice Falun Gong. He also reported better psychosocial functioning. His treating physician assessed that his prostate malignancy was “clinically, under control” and “his overall functional status is excellent.” The patient survived a total of 263 weeks (61.4 months) post-diagnosis, including 183 weeks (42.3 months) after developing castration resistance. Conclusion: This castration-resistant terminal prostate cancer patient gained significant clinical benefits after practicing Falun Gong.
Highlights
Most metastatic prostate cancer patients receive combined androgen blockade (CAB) as the mainstay of treatment
At week 219, based on the extended survival, absence of symptoms, disappearance of bone metastases, improved Quality of life (QoL) and psychosocial functioning, his treating physician assessed that his prostate malignancy was “clinically, under control” and “his overall functional status is excellent.”
In the CHAARTED trial, a high volume of metastatic prostate cancer was defined by the presence of visceral metastases or four or more bone lesions with at least one beyond the vertebral bodies and pelvis[6]
Summary
Any reports and responses or comments on the article can be found at the end of the article. The patient reported the following sequential trend of psychosocial functioning improvement: starting FLG practice, finding the purpose of life, developing positive thinking, having a better temperament, experiencing symptom improvement, feeling happier and less depressed, and becoming more altruistic (Table 2). At week 219, based on the extended survival, absence of symptoms, disappearance of bone metastases, improved QoL and psychosocial functioning, his treating physician assessed that his prostate malignancy was “clinically, under control” and “his overall functional status is excellent.”. The patient reported he was living a healthy life with good physical and mental states. Three days before his death, he had spoken with us in person and denied any signs or symptoms of cancer relapse
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