TRELSTAR - The Prostate

The prostate is a male sex gland that adds fluid and nutrients to the sperm. Along with the other major male sex glands, it makes, stores, and secretes the seminal fluid. It is a firm, somewhat muscular, chestnut - or walnut-sized gland found immediately below the bladder and in front of the rectum. In order for the prostate to function properly, it needs androgens, or male hormones, which are responsible for the sex characteristics in men. The main hormone is testosterone, mainly produced by the testicles.

The tube (urethra) carrying the urine runs through the prostate. The urethra works in two ways:
• During urination, it transports urine from the bladder; and
• It carries the semen during ejaculation.

Male Anatomy31,32

The American Cancer Society estimates there will be approximately 186,320 new cases of prostate cancer in the US in 2008.13

About Prostate Cancer

References

Indications and Usage

TRELSTAR^® Depot and TRELSTAR^® LA are indicated in the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. TRELSTAR Depot and TRELSTAR LA offer an alternative treatment for prostate cancer when orchiectomy or estrogen administration are either not indicated or unacceptable to the patient.

Safety Information

After your first injection of TRELSTAR, you might feel a temporary increase in your cancer symptoms, such as pain in your bones. This is because the amount of testosterone in your bloodstream actually goes up for a short period after the injection. If your symptoms increase later than the first week or two following an injection, tell your doctor. The most common side effects that patients taking TRELSTAR have are actually the effect of lowering testosterone levels. The most common effect of lowering testosterone is hot flushes or flashes. These are like the hot flashes women have around the time of menopause. Other side effects include bone pain, impotence (sexual side effect), headache, leg pain, and swelling in the legs. Women who are or may become pregnant and those who are allergic to this type of drug should not take TRELSTAR. For more information on these and other side effects, please talk to your doctor.