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Looking like SRT is on the horizon

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Posted 1/18/2013 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Well, got my latest PSA today.  Came back at .07.

Looks like SRT is in my near future.  To be honest, I'm more scared of the SRT than I was of the RALP.

Based on my calculations, I'm estimating a doubling time of about 10 months and I should hit .1 around early summer and .2 by May of next year.  I've read that the short doubling time suggests a high probability for metastatic disease and suggests that I'm not really a good candidate for RT.

I know there are folks that are having a much tougher time than me, but I am so scared.

Posted 1/18/2013 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Ahhh man sorry to hear this news. Not having been down that road I can't give any advise. Know that I am here for you and if you want to chat give me a call.

Cajun Jeff
Posted 1/18/2013 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear that. I'm a couple of weeks from starting SRT so I know what you're going through. The good news in your case is that you had positive margins, which would explain the rising PSA and indicates a local recurrence that can be cured with radiation.

You will also hear that your PSA is still below .1 so don't worry too much. Yes, it may stabilize there so I wouldn't jump right away to SRT but mine just kept going up.
Posted 1/19/2013 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
we've talked about this possibility before. personally, i don't think you are "there" yet, at the least, i would want (3) readings, 3 months apart, showing a consecutive rise above .10. that was the criteria used in my srt decision. some doctors would want to see it higher than that to pull the trigger.

i had a positive margin, and it did not turn out to be a good thing for me, because the radiation quickly failed, and its assumed now, that the cancer wasn't even in my prostate bed at that point. this becomes a real guessing game, thus, the reason why srt sucess is usually only in the 30 to 40% range at best. if they only had an accurate way of knowing where the remaining cancer was located, it could save a lot of money, time, and aggervation - if it were known in advance that the cancer was elsewhere.

you will have to make your own decision of course, but at at reading of .07, i honestly feel that it would really be jumping the gun to consider srt at this time.

david in sc
Posted 1/19/2013 3:43 PM (GMT 0)

Hey Buddy ! :> been a while.

1.    According to John Hopkins, Brady Institute, a recurrence is .2 and higher.       http://urology.jhu.edu/newsletter/prostate_cancer829.php  Technically you don’t have a recurrence, your micro PSA test does show a slight rise.

 

2.    The MSKCC doubling calculator starts at .1.  You are not at a level to calculate PSADT, again the micro PSA shows a slight rise. http://nomograms.mskcc.org/Prostate/PsaDoublingTime.aspx

 

3.    Your positive margins come with concerns, but PSA took its sweet time to be at a Micro detectable level.  It’s at levels that are monitored but dismissed for any meaning yet.  (you currently are in a grey area) http://urology.jhu.edu/newsletter/prostate_cancer52.php

 

4.    I know easier said than done.  You are in a good position (in my opinion) to change your diet.  POM juice, no beer or hard alcohol, organic foods, juicing carrots and apples, organic soap, etc.  You have nothing to loose but would gain better health and a chance of avoiding not only your fears, but where they are leading you.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained !

 

5.    Positive attitude !

Most agree diet and lifestyle can have a positive outcome.  How to go about it is another story.  Suggest you try to focus on the cause (ah, the unknown) rather than the effect.

On a personal note (see my stats) I see the 2-5 year mark being my hurdle.  I am practicing everything in 4-5 above the best that I can.  I also ask my wife to minimize nagging and endless project creation, or thats whats going to do me in shocked

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