HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Another worried daughter needs help. Dad has Stage 4 PC

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/14/2010 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

My Dad was diagnosed with stage 4 PC in March 2010. Initially the doctors suggested a biopsy but after getting bone scan and MRI results, it was discovered that the cancer was already spread to his bones (pelvic, spine and almost all major skeletal bones). So his urologist said that biopsy is no longer required and we should start the treatment asap. PSA at the time of diagnosis was > 500.
He had his Orchiectomy done in end of March 2010. He is now getting Zometa infusions once every 3 weeks and also taking Bicalutamide 50mg.
I have a few questions and would appreiate any help:

1) Is this the correct line of treatment for him?
2) Is PSA related to the level of metastasis? Does extensively spread metastasis imply a high PSA?
4) His spine is effected by the PC cells and his hemoglobin before the treatment was 9 which went further down to 6.7 within 14 days of Orchiectomy. Is this normal?
His first PSA test is scheduled in July 2010, that is, after 3 months of surgery. How low shall we expect it to go? Also, he will complete 6 Zometa infusions by then.

Thanks
Chadhas
Posted 5/14/2010 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
Chadhas,

Welcome here. I can't answer any of your questions, but I feel for both you and your dad, he is definitely in a s erious situation. Some of the men here with advanced cases can better answer your questions. There are several women here too ,that might be able to share support with you.

Please keep us posted, we care!

David in SC
Posted 5/14/2010 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Chardas, I echo David's comments. My father didn't have quite that level of metastasis, but he had the orchiectomy and then HT and lived for many years --- and as his PCa doctor predicted kept the PCa in check long enough that he died of something else. (Heart) I think it was about 30 years ago he was diagnosed and so I assume treatments are even better today.

I do hope you'll keep posting and let us know how he's doing. As David said, we care!

Sheldon AKA Sleepless
Posted 5/15/2010 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
Few, if any of us can second guess your doctor. I assume that you went with someone you trust. Many on here would recommend a second opinion before you started, but the game is on. Unless you see something that is contary to

Yes, the high PSA is directly related to the amount of PSA producing PC cells in your fathers body. We have men on here who have had PSA over 3000, so his is not the highest we have seen.

The member with a 3000 went down to zero, but there is no rule. It will depend on how the PC responds to the HT. By eliminating testosterone, and doing the Zometa for the mets, and the Casodex for the PC, it would appear that he is being given excellent treatment. Only time will tell how his PC responds to the treatment. Most PC's will become resistand to the Casodex eventually, but wonderful results have been obtained with it for long periods.

Sorry you have to be here, but please feel comfortable in asking any questions you feel like. Most of us are not doctors or professionals, and can only give our experience or opinion. Your doctors are the ones you have to establish clear lines of communication with. Don't be shy with them. Make them talk to you.
Posted 5/15/2010 6:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,

Thanks Purgatory and sleepless09 for your reply and support. It really helped!

Thanks Goodlife for your reply,
My dad completed 6 weeks of his orchiectomy today and we still have 6 weeks to go before his first PSA will be tested. He is feeling better as far as bone pain is concerned and is having no difficulty in passing urine, which he used to have earlier.
His HB level was quite low (9) at the time of diagnosis and went further down to 7 after the surgery. Is that normal?
Also, he gets flu like symptoms for 1-2 days after Zometa infusion. Will it continue with every infusion?

I really feel great to have joined this forum and to know that people care!

Thanks & Regards
Chadha family
Posted 5/15/2010 7:35 AM (GMT 0)
Chadhas-
I also cannot add much but understand your concern. My father had PC 10 years ago and now my boyfriend was diagnosed at 44 (5 mos ago) with Stage 4. Fortunatley, my father was diagnosed early on with seed implants, his PSA is undetectable now. My boyfriend did the prostectomy, on casedox and lupron and now halfway done with radiation. His PSA is now <.05 but started at 56. His first PSA reading was 37 about 1 mo after surgery. 16 a month after that and now <.05 since 3/18. We are lucky that the surgeon is a friend and does a PSA test every month. I remember being told that it should half with each test. I hope that your dad's PSA is lower than that given his type of surgery and HT. I pray for the best!!
Posted 5/15/2010 11:50 AM (GMT 0)
Chadhas, sadly there are no words of advice that I can offer you but I can offer my support to you and your dad. I'm glad to hear that his symptoms are lessening as quality of life is very important with any disease.

While we may not be able to answer all your questions, we are all here to help you through this challenge. Please stay with us and let us know how you and dad are doing.
Posted 5/16/2010 12:42 PM (GMT 0)
Likewise, I have no medical advice as I'm new to this and am also asking lots of questions. As a daughter though also please know that everyone on here genuinely cares and will provide you with comfort that only people who can relate can. Thinking of you and your dad.
Posted 5/16/2010 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
Chadhas:  In my opinion the best info. out there on HT is Dr. Snuffy Meyer's book, there are a few other things that possibly could be done it appears according to Dr. Meyers.  The main one being adding Avodart to your Dad's medicine list.  It inhibits dihydrotesosterone which is significatly more powerful than tesosterone itself.  At a minimum your Dad shoul be tested for dihy levels.  Pick up his book it will help.

Good luck

David

P.S.  I can't remember the exact title of the book but if you google Dr. Meyers it'll pop up.

Posted 5/17/2010 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks all for your wonderful responses and support.

dkob131,

I will take the book and read it. We did ask the doctor if any medication should be added and I meant dutastaride (Avodart) but he said no and asked us to wait till my dad's first PSA reading. Also, my dad is on Bicalutamide(Casodex) 50mg and not the highest dose 150mg. Any ideas why the doctor would have done that?

Thanks & Regards
Chadha family
Posted 5/17/2010 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
Chadhas: I could be wrong here and someone may come along to correct me but I believe in most instances if you are on Lupron or such that the usual dosage of Casodex is 50mg and if it is Casodex alone then the dosage is bumped up to 150mg or such.  It appears your Dr. has a good understanding of things from what you have said so far.  It would make perfect sense to see how your dad reacts to the medications he is already on before adding or subtracting more.

The Zometa infusions have a tendency to get easier the more they are adminstered but if they don't, ask the Dr. to slow down the IV drip this sometimes makes a big difference in how patients respond to it.

Good luck

David

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply