Should my husband have radiation?

Joyce,

Can you share some more details such as PSA, biopsy results, any CT or bone scan results? This will help in formulating opinions.

What was his PSA at diagnosis .. before he started Lupron?

Joyce,

With a PSA of 28 and Gleason 9 cancer, external beam radiation therapy + hormone therapy (Lupron) is an excellent recommendation. One key point, however, is to be very careful regarding your husbands bone health and muscle mass while on Lupron, especially at age 81.

Yes, he's on calcium, and his Onc keeps nagging about exercise.

We have been feeling that the quality of my husband's remaining time is perhaps more important than the length... and feared side effects of radiation would make the extended years not worth it.

I would like to learn more about side effects, but don't know how to search on this forum.

We purchased Invasion of the Prostate Snatchers, but it was of limited help because of my husband's higher gleason number.
A Primer on Prostate Cancer by Dr. Strum has been suggested by one of your members while on another (COPD) forum. Should we invest?

~ Joyce

I would talk to the oncologist that treated his lymphoma and get his opinion about any complications with radiation treatments. You are fighting a two front battle, and you need a good general to analyze both fronts at the same time.
Good Luck

Seems like a good idea to have another opinion. You have a dilemma. He could stay on Lupron only and hope that it works for years -- essentially long enough. But, with G9 cancer, nearer term progression is a possibility. That is where his values come into play .. QOL tradeoffs, etc as you mentioned.

Hi,
I feel uncomfortable giving advice but instead I will tell you my dad's experience. Also G9, ruled as confined to prostrate but difficult to know for sure since he chose radiation and not surgery. Age 75, not 81 but older then many of the men on this site.

Thankfully, gratefully dad tolerated radiation very well. Lead life exactly the same. Prior to radiation he woke up 3 times to go to the bathroom, now wakes up 4. Only difference. He did receive radiation therapy at one of the better hospitals in the US, cleveland clinic and he is also a doctor himself. His opinion was that the degree of tech savvy in providing radiation and limiting the field only to the prostrate, minimized side effects. If you do choose radiation if it is possible for you go to one of the bigger research institutions. I firmly believe they treat better. He finished radiation recently so don't know long term but since his diagnosis, he has led a very normal life and for him not feeling sick was very important.

Good luck to you and your husband, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely - daughter

Daughter and Aimzee...

Thanks for replies.

John (my husband) rarely has to get up at night, and if he does...it's only once. He has no other troubling symptoms from this or any other disease. Except for being tired, (and some memory lapse) life is good.

How do I find the information written by 'Purgatory'?

Joyce