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Posted 5/8/2014 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Haven't been here in a while, but I'm back now. Just got back from the URO and my PSA went from 0.3 to 0.7 in four months. Man am I bummed. I go to see the med onc on Wednesday. Not looking forward to this at all.
Posted 5/8/2014 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
Nice to see you again but sorry you have a reason to drop back in.

This disease just sucks. You can tell your MO I said so.

Keep us in the loop.
Posted 5/8/2014 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
Turner:

Can you give us some background.

Mel

Posted 5/8/2014 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
Mel,

From an old post:

Turner 2 = George
Age 56
PSA 9/2011: 8.5
DRE: nodule on left side of prostate
Biopsy: 5 of 12 cores positive
Gleason score: 4+5
Pre Op CT Scan & Bone Scan clean
RRP: 1/27/2012
Post Op Pathology: all margins clean, Gleason Score-4+5, Seminal Vesicles Involved T3a
Adjuvant radiation started 7/2/12
Adjuvant radiation finished 8/16/12
PSA
3/15/12-<0.1
5/2/12 <0.03

(That was a while back, he's a bit older now.)
Posted 5/8/2014 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
Mel,
Sorry! I forgot to hit that silly button that posts my signature.
Posted 5/8/2014 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Turner.

Well, I wouldn't do anything until your next PSA. Even then, there might not be a rush necessity.

If I am reading your profile correctly, is HT the next logical option?

Mel

Posted 5/9/2014 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Turner, I added you to the roster on the Gleason 9 Crew thread we have running here. It can be encouraging to see so many there, and most doing pretty well even with this serious diagnosis.
Posted 5/9/2014 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
Turner, sorry you had an uptick in your PSA. Hopefully the rise can be controlled or even reverted with some of the new meds.
Posted 5/9/2014 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
Not the news you wanted. Sorry you still have to deal with this.

Keep us updated.
Andrew
Posted 5/13/2014 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks all for the good thoughts. I'm starting to get my head around this now. I go to see the med onc tomorrow. I'll send an update then. My best guess (Mel you are probably right) is HT. Not something I'm looking forward to, but it beats the other options.
Posted 5/13/2014 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Turner,
I would have preferred you stayed away healthy and happy. But so it is. Good to see you again anyway.

Let your daughter know that we are having our race on September 27. She has a title to defend!

Tony
Posted 5/14/2014 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
Just got back from the med onc, Dr. Mario Bilusec at Fox Chase Cancer Center. What a great guy. Spent a fair amount of time with me talking about his philosophy, where I am right now and what my options are.

Where I am--my PSA is rising, but he wants another time point to establish a doubling rate. The next PSA will be in late July. Depending on the number, will depend on the next step.

My Options--clinical trial
Dr. Bilusec did his fellowship at NCI. His mentor at NCI is running a Phase III clinical trial with a vaccine and HT component. My PSA is still too low to qualify for the trial, but it is rising. Just something to keep in mind. Dr. Bilusec is also hoping to enroll patients in a similar trial at Fox Chase in the fall.

My Options--HT
Depending on clinical, scans and PSA, HT may be next.

Lots of options in front of me, just waiting on the next number.
George
Posted 5/14/2014 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
Turner:

I had said:

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Thanks Turner.

Well, I wouldn't do anything until your next PSA. Even then, there might not be a rush necessity.

If I am reading your profile correctly, is HT the next logical option?

Mel

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Please send me a check!!

Incidentally, if there is a rise and you have to start HT, many of us are experienced in that area and can give you additional information

Mel

Posted 5/15/2014 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
George,
Sorry to hear of your rising PSA. Hopefully its just a blip.
I' m curious about the vaccine trial your MO is looking at. I am currently in an NIH. Trial for Prostvac and enzalutamide. I think its still in Phase 2. My PSA had to rise to 3.0.
It looks like a few different vaccine trials will be starting later this year which is good news.
Jim
Posted 5/15/2014 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
Jim,
You are probably correct on the trial. After I posted, I went out to the NIC site and saw the Phase II trial. It was definitely with Prostvac. We will see. The future will unfold itself to us one second at a time.
Posted 5/15/2014 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
George sorry for my confusing comments.

I just realized you are not Turner who also recently returned. LOL Your daughter is safe here.

In any case all the best to you and hopefully you get this licked.
Posted 5/15/2014 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
Tony,
I figured you had me confused with the other Turner. My daughter has never won a race, unless it was to the bookstore! :-)
George
Posted 8/11/2014 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,
Here is the latest follow up to this thread. Saw my medical oncologist today. My PSA has risen to 1.1 and my calculated doubling time is 3.7 months. Not encouraging news. Trying to keep positive thoughts.

I am starting Casodex today and we will see how my PSA goes. I will be seeing him again in six weeks after the Casodex and a CAT and bone scan. My one question is in regards to the PSA doubling time. It seems to me that my doubling time is really short. What is your experience?
Posted 8/11/2014 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
Turner:

Yep, I hate this f-disease with a passion. It doesn't let go (for many).

Anyway, are you starting Casodax and then adding Lupron?

Mel
Posted 8/11/2014 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
Compiler,
That will be decided in mid September when I go back. Hate the idea of it, but part of me wants to hit this hard. But I guess you don't want to kill a fly with a sledge hammer.
Posted 8/11/2014 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
Turner:

You don't want to kill a fly with a tissue either.
Additionally a G9 is not a fly.
This is the dilemma we all face.

Anyway, good luck -- you are a smart guy and I'm sure you have a handle on asking the tough questions.

These days, many suggest ADT3 (Lupron and Casodex and Avodart) and many advocate throwing in chemo at the same time. I think studies show this to be advantageous if you have Mets. (like a 17-month overall survival advantage). But the tx itself sounds very rough.

I did adt2 (Lupron and Casodex). It worked well. I am now on a HT vacation. But my PSA is no longer undetectable, so when it gets above 2.0 we will set up a C11 Choline scan. I most likely have not seen the last of HT. Oh, I am on avodart now, during this vacation period.



Mel
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