the role of intermittent chemotherapy in the survival of patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer

introduction: prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among males and the second factor resulting to death due to cancer among them.(1) the median age of its diagnosis is 65 years. the initial treatment includes androgen ablation or orchiectomy.(2, 3) in case of patient’s hormone refractory, chemotherapy would be substituted. the objective of this study is the consideration of intermittent chemotherapy’s role in patients’ survival and their quality of life. materials & methods: since (1384,07,07), 25 patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer that referred to taleghani & imam reza hospital were enrolled in this study, and taxotere, mitoxantrone and navalbine were prescribed along with estramustin 140 mg/m2 and prednisolone 10 mg/bd for 4 days respectively(4, 5, 6) and the quality of life (qol), toxicity and overall survival were evaluated. the most toxicity included grade 2 and 3 neuropathy and neutropenia that was compliant for patients. the overall survival was 22months. conclusion: intermittent chemotherapy in elderly patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer provides compliant toxicity and improvement of qol and overall survival.