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small cell prostate cancer came back

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Posted 6/4/2009 1:26 PM (GMT 0)
It was gone for 2 years and now has just come back ( a small tumor in my abdominal wall) and I face surgery on 6/9 to remove it.
Then I plan to go on casodex to help kill any remaining cancer cells. Are they any blood tests to detect cancer?
Posted 6/4/2009 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
For prostate cancer there is PSA but it isn't always the best tool. CAP125 and other tests are available but they too might not be accurate enough for small cell PCa. I would recommend a CTC (Circulating Tumor Cell) at this point...

Tony
Posted 6/6/2009 11:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hey, Joe you mentioned small cell PCa in your caption posting line and so this reply:

Joe if you are still seeing a urologist at this juncture, stop and find an oncologist and if you have (the version called) 'small cell PCa' find a PCa oncologist specialist and soon.  This variant of PCa is amongest the toughest to fight, it usually does not respond well to hormone therapies (sorry to mention if you did not know), you may have to look into alternative treatment drugs and onco docs rule that area, urologists are dinosaurs in that realm. I hope you do well with some protocol, read up on small cell and consider joining the posts at hrcpa on www.prostate-help.org for more info and related therapies.


Posted 6/6/2009 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
Joec_49,

You said, "It was gone for 2 years and now has just come back". I'm sorry, I don't know your whole story Joe, but did you have any surgery at all pertaining to your prostate? This last mid-January, I underwent a nerve-sparing (so the doctor told me..haha) Radical Prostatectomy, at one of my post surgical visits with my Oncologist, he said there is a chance the cancer could come back! WHAT? I could not believe this. He said never say never, but if this goes to the bones, then it's radiation time. I thought I was completely out of the woods. Truthfully, as slow as this cancer seems, I'm not sure I should have had the surgery. But at 54 years, I honestly don't know if I did the right thing or not.

Some say I could have lived normal life even with the low-grade cancer,but at least I could have continues with my erections,but even after four months,I'm still taking .25 mgs of viagra, ordered a pump,and still very frustrated. Guys on here tell me never give up, it will come back with nerve-sparing surgery,every guy is different and may have success before the next guy. IS THIS TRUE? Viagra is used in the healing process,but don't know how it actually stimulates the nerves. I got nothing...only weird,dry orgasms with no stiffness.

For a rare Carcinoid Cancer I'm also lucky to have, (NOT!!!) I have labs done to check elevated tumor marker activity. Blood, it's Chromogranin-A, Substance-P, and in the Urine, it's the 5Haii 24HR. if they are up, then it's a radiactive, nuclear CT over two days to see if the tumors "light up".

But as far as prostate, all I know is the PSA and the Digital,then comes the prostate biopsy,followed by either seeding,watchful wait, or the dramatic non- sparing or nerve sparing surgery. It was the daVinci Robot for me.

Joe, you will find out a lot of information on this site,Such as, my doctor never told me that nerves regenerate at the rate of 1/2 inch per month, which i just read on this post. True or not, it's some sign of hope.

I'm curious though, has anyone undergone the nerve sparing surgery, taken the prescribed .25 mgs Viagra,cialis, or levitrol more than a year ago, used the pumps,(no injections) and have the nerves grow back and actually have a successful sex life?

Thanks to all! hang in there, and you all are in my prayers. :)
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