Father diagnosed w/PCa

Hi Robert.

I'm reminded of my own father who used to say, "Who would want to live to be 100? ! ! !" Then he'd answer his own question: "Ask someone who is 99."

I have a 96 year old mother who lives on her own and is thinking of buying a new car. Her eyesight keeps her from driving, but she does like to have a car.

Point being, if your dad is in good enough shape generally that the doctor is suggesting therapy for his cancer, then he should probably do the HT treatment ---- although I do wonder if he wouldn't be a perfect candidate for HIFU. It's worth checking out.

My father had his testicles removed and did a hormone drug I believe it was, called flutamide. His breasts grew some, but not to the point that they were an issue in the locker room, or anything, and aside from that, I don't think he had any issues with the drug. Surgery wasn't an option as he had a bad heart -- many heart attacks from age 45 on. And, it was his heart that got him, about 15 years after the PCa diagnosis.

Sorry I can't be of more help, but hope the above might be of interest to you.

How goes with your RLP journey. I too was "done" in June. So far, so good, for me.

Sheldon AKA Sleepless

Greetings, Robert.  As Zufus said, virtually all men will come up with a diagnosis of prostate cancer in their 80s if they look for it.  I'm not as familiar with hormone therapy but it does seem that would be the option if he chooses to do anything at all.  Most likely, something else will pop up before the prostate cancer can get him.  David

Do you know if your dad's Gleason was 4+3 or 3+4? The second would be better for watchful waiting. My dad had his testicles removed and died of a stroke at 86. In between he lead an active life with his biggest complaints being night sweats (he would just wash the sheets every morning) and the need for an afternoon nap. At your father's age one wants to be very careful to preserve quality of life.

Robert --- Congratulations on the PSA ! You must be feeling great.

On your dad, at 89 in 11 years he'll be 100 and chances are, like the rest of us, that will be pretty close to the end of the road. Before I did any treatment I'd want to understand how likely it was that this 3 + 4 had any chance of being an issue for him in the next 11 years.

I'm 67 and also a 3 + 4. My doctor said if I left mine untreated it would be 10 to 15 years before I had any problems as a result of the PCa. Who knows where he got those numbers and how good they may or may not be. But if your dad's cancer isn't going to be an issue for 15 years (I've read PCa moves slower in those over 80) then perhaps doing nothing is a reasonable option.

But don't take medical advice from me! I'm just ruminating.

Sheldon AKA Sleepless

These are really tough ones. Just recently admitted my 87 yr old mother for low hemoglobin, and bleeding. Our family had to decide how far we go to preserve life, considering her mental status. Fortunately, they just gave her some blood, and changed her meds and sent her back home.

With Lupron costing a $1000 a shot, and with the side effects, particularly in olde patients, one has to wonder what is best. Just wish it was a G6. Still, the odds are before it metastisizies and gets to other organs, he most likely will have issues with heart attack, stroke, etc.

I can only say if it were me personally, and I was his age, i would most likely say leave me alone, and don't screw up the remaining years of my life with Dr. visits, side effects, and all the rest that goes along with PC treatment.

Best of luck to you in this situation.

Your dad could try hormones and if they affect his quality of life he coud stop and undergo only a few months of discomfort. Many older patients have few side affect from HT and he could be one of them.
JT