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Gleason 9 Advice please

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Posted 1/14/2013 1:55 PM (GMT 0)

Hiya its been 12 months since Ive posted although I often visit to read and research and to check on the other G9s (raddad) and many more who were there to reasure me when dad first got diagnosed. But I would really like some advice..

Dad was diagnosed with Gleason 9 psa 11 no bone mets but some lymph nodes and he started treatment with zoladex 10.8 shot in his belly every 12 weeks and the results were as follows :

December 2011 - psa - 11

April 2012 - psa 0.01

July - psa 0.01

September -psa 0.02

January - psa 0.07 ?? shocked  

Now hes being refered to an oncologist and am wondering what next? Dad in himself feels fine has a few hot flushes but nothing to bad.

Were in the uk am not sure if that makes any difference to treatments.  

Look forward to hearing from you x

Posted 1/14/2013 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Terrified,
This is just my opinion but I would not be terribly worried over an increase of 6 hundredths of a point (0.01 to 0.07). I typically look for consecutive increases that are significant and indicate a trend. Granted 0.01, 0.02, and 0.07 indicate a trend but it is a very small increase. Others may have a differing opinion and I hope they will comment as well. In any case your dad is lucky to have a caring daughter. Best of luck to both of you.

David
Posted 1/14/2013 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
The hypersensitive PSA tests can be a bit problematic. Still seeing an oncologist for an opinion is likely a good thing to do.

I am not sure they'd change anything at this point. They might wait for another PSA treatment. Still overall it's not a bad report. Worth keep a close eye on though.
Andrew
Posted 1/15/2013 4:42 AM (GMT 0)
Another vote for calm. I don't like the pattern, but still, we are talking about tiny differences, that could reflect wobble around how precise and exact the test can be. It's easy to say and hard to do, but don't let this make you crazy until you have to -- see what the onc says. Even if this tiny fluctuation is the start of a real trend, you've got lots of options.

Hang in there
Posted 1/15/2013 5:20 AM (GMT 0)
And that is why my uro does not do ultrasensitive. Since my best possible result is <.1,  I would have been happy in April, and still be that way now with those numbers.

 

Posted 1/15/2013 7:01 AM (GMT 0)
Is his TESTOSTERONE tested? It should be less than 20. This can give you more info about the effectiveness of ZOLADEX.

good luck
AL
Posted 1/15/2013 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks very much for all your replies. Nenea I dont think testosterone has been tested just psa but I will certainly find out. Once again thanks everyone you always make me feel better x
Posted 2/3/2013 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
Weve got our appointment for tomorrow 9am. Does anyone have an idea of what they will offer next?x

Post Edited (Terrified daughter) : 2/3/2013 8:36:21 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/3/2013 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi "Terrified"
(Your dad must be about 70 now I think.)
I think that with a Gleason 9 he has done well to get his PSA so low, and this little increase is best left to the oncologist for a full explanation, but I don't feel like any alarm bells need to ring yet.
I hope you/he are in part of the UK with good docs, otherwise might it be worth seeing what somewhere like The Royal Marsden can offer him?
eg:
www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-info/news/archive/pressrelease/2012-09-06-stop-start-hormone-therapy-better-than-continual-for-prostate-cancer

Good luck with the appointment otherwise

Alf
Posted 2/3/2013 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Agree with all of the above. would add to have your dad use the same lab, now sex 48 before, no digital rectal exams or bike riding, for 48 also. they do affect test upward. If he is able to exercise other wise, that would help long term and of course good diet. If it is a real trend upward, your oncologist will be on it. In the now, he has an undetectable psa, by most standards{it the one I use}, he feels good and will in all probability keep the cancer at bay for a long period of time.
Posted 2/8/2013 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dads appointment was monday hes now been out onto Bicalutamide 50mg alongside the zoladex 10.1 in his belly. Hes booked in for mri scan and bone scan next week then back to see oncolagist at the end of the month. I didnt go ti the appointment mum went but the last psa was 0.7 not 0.07 am presuming that makes a big difference?

x

Posted 2/8/2013 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
Daughter,
I have refrained from posting since I am no expert and there are members here who are. I personally believe that your dad is in good hands since his oncologist prescribed bicalumide--casodex...We have members here who have success with 50mg's and some have gone to 150mg's when their psa continued to go up. That would be my 1st plan of attack when (if) my psa goes up;
I would continue with the lupron. Relax and buy your dad a "bitter" ale..
Bill
Posted 2/12/2013 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

I know exactly how you feel, my dad was diagnosed gleason 9 last year all other scans clear. He is also on the injections and has just last week finished a course of 37 radiation sessions. He is due to see his oncologist in March to check his psa. So i am very interested in hearing what your dad's oncologist says.

I am also in the uk, and just wanted to send you all my love and best wished to you and your family.

I also agree with your thoughts about the support you get on here and Raddad has been very helpful to me also.

Yvonne x

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