Old friend

800 PSA?

I just finished reading a book called 'A Primer On Prostate Cancer' by a Dr. Strum and that has helped. Actually have read it twice.

Tell him to not panic and explore many treatments with more than a few unrelated prostate specialists. I am going to have a targeted color doplor needle biopsy soon to establish more data. The more information the better thru specific blood tests and biopsy the better IMO.

My 83 year old father was Dxed with PCa about 12 years ago. At that time he went with RT. He just told me a couple of days ago that his recently tested PSA is 6. He told me he hadn't had a PSA test in several years.

His doctor is now advising him to do HT (Lupron). Personally, I am wondering if he should do anything at all. Although he is currently feeling well, he is not very active due to a heart that is funtioning at less than 50% and a problematic hip joint.

I am saying this because there can be a lot of various conditons that can affect what treatment one chooses or to do nothing at all. The 800 PSA value seems like the highest I have ever heard.

As some responses questioned the psa level of my mates diagnosis, I double checked and it is indeed 818. He will have his biopsy next Tuesday and a scan to check any spread.

All the best from England.

Just had a natter to my old friend and it appears as if he has a cyst inside his prostate, which was discovered whilst having his biopsy. The doctor doing the biopsy said he had never seen a cyst in the prostate in 16 years of urology. I wonder if that would account for his Psa reading of 818. He has to now have a bone scan and will get all his results in two weeks.

All the best from England.

This thread jogged my memory:  way back when, during the biopsy phase of this journey, I was looking at the ultra sound screen while the Uro positioned the device to collect the biopsy samples.   Center on the screen was a round, light-shaped object and I asked what it was....his response:  "just a harmless cyst."   I haven't thought of that since then. 

dogbot - wishing your friend all the best, glad to read something is being done for him-
take care,
BRONSON

Hi Dogbot, - Cysts are usually harmless, as long as they remain cysts, which are usually encased fluid. Having had an untreated PSA topping 1,000 and A Gleason 10, he should be followed closely, because he undoubtedly has systemic disease, for which he is now being appropriately treated.

It should be understood, however, that Hormone Therapy (HT) is not a "cure" for such advanced Cancer. The treatment goal has likely changed from attempts to "cure" to one of attempting to "control" the malignancy by slowing the advance of what will now be treated as an incurable, "chronic" disease.

In the best case scenario, he MAY have temporary remission but, historically, the PCa eventually overwhelms the effectiveness of HT, a phase called Hormone Refractory. The time it takes for the patient to get to such an unrelenting advanced status varies WIDELY by individual patient, but is usually measured in years, rather than months.

His response to HT has been immediate and encouraging, indicating that most cells are presently hormone sensitive. With continued good fortune, he could enjoy a prolonged period of control, but only time will tell how soon these cells will mutate to "unsensitive' status and other approaches are necessay.

Hope this helps the understanding and I wish the best luck and care, to your friend and to you. - [email protected] (aka) az4peaks

I must admit I was very suprised at the rapid decrease in his psa reading, but obviously very happy for him. I hope that his treatment will manage to control the growth for a few more years.

Thanks for the good wishes.

All the best from England.

dogbot

Great update! I'm sure your friend and you are both very happy and relieved.

7 or 8 months 1000 to 0.1 - Wonderful! I really like to hear this (see my signature which will give you a idea why <grins>)

Bud

Great news.
Sounds like an excellent match of treatment to problem.

Alf