Table of Contents

Chapter 7: The Role of Chemotherapy

i. Using "Off Label" Chemotherapy Drugs

Strictly speaking, only mitoxantrone and docetaxel have been approved by the FDA for use in prostate cancer. But over the years doctors have found that some medications that are regularly used in other types of cancers can be used rather effectively in men with prostate cancer, so you shouldn’t be surprised if your doctor suggests a course or two of a different drug on an off label use.

Off label use of a drug means that the drug is approved by the FDA for use in one disease but is being used in another. The drugs are known to be safe overall, and have been proven effective for the disease in which it’s approved. That doesn’t mean it’s not effective in prostate cancer as well; in fact, you might find it to be very beneficial. It just means that the drug hasn’t been rigorously tested in prostate cancer, so there’s no formal "proof" that it’s effective. It also means that your insurance carrier might not reimburse you for its cost, so be sure to check into the costs when discussing this option with your doctor.