This is an interesting thread you started back in April 2012.
As a man in much the same position I would like to clarify one issue with you. On the 260412 you posted your stage of Prostate Cancer as: PSA 9, Gleason Score 10. Then on 200313 you say: PSA 48.8, Gleason Score 9.
Both point to a very serious cancer …. But for my benefit, I would like you to clarify if you feel comfortable doing so.
My original diagnosis was: Locally advanced Prostate Cancer: PSA 8.1, Gleason Score 9 (4+5, which is better than 5+4), and Stage 3b, with extra capsular extension.
I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 2010 (aged 54) …… finished medical treatment in 2011. I conferred with several Doctors and sort help from alternate therapist straight away. I was not suitable for surgery, and had Radiation therapy: HDR Brachytherapy, followed by External Beam radiation (EBR) ….. a total of 84 gray of radiation.
I was on hormone therapy (ADT) for 3 months prior to radiation to reduce the size of Prostate (to make it a smaller target, and reduce collateral damage to Bowel and Bladder.
In April 2011, 3 months after finishing the radiation, my PSA reading was 0.47 and the doctors considered me in remission.
The doctors wanted me to continue hormone therapy for 18 to 20 months ….. but I declined. Firstly it is a very debatable point even within medical circles ….. and it is chemical castration (physical castration is also an option, declined again)
In April 2013 my PSA is 6.5 (virtually doubling every 6 months …. In the early stages it can just be a spike after the hormone and radiation therapy) …… which the doctors say is almost 100% indicative of microscopic Metastized Prostate Cancer …… at this point it is not detectable on Bone Scan or MRI.
As of now I have almost no side effects from the radiation (although it was a bit rough at stages), and am in good health …… rightly or wrongly I put this down to the alternate therapies taken to alleviate these side effects.
The therapist I see is very supportive of the medical approach, and I think he sees his job as minimising side effects and strengthening the immune system to help the body combat the cancer.
The obvious take here would be that we haven’t been very successful ….. but that depends on where you come from. My wife asked the Urologist in April 2013 if the PSA 6.5 meant the treatment had failed …. He said in light of the original diagnosis, he thought the radiation had been spectacularly successful …… Sue found this a little offensive, but I could understand his point and I think he is most probably right.
This is a bloody long post ….. so I had better stop.
Thanks to all who have posted …. Negative and positive …. I am a bit passed beliefs, so appreciate any point of view.
