what can I expect next
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prognosis - 33.3% - 1 votes
treatment - 66.7% - 2 votes
prognosis - 0.0% - 0 votes
Posted 7/17/2013 10:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I'm new to this blog.
American living in France (with French wife)
Age: 78
PSA 234 mg/dl
Newly diag. CT and bone scan. PC metastases to pelvic bone but not organs yet.
Newly on HT:Enantone (like lupron) plus casodex
Had a late biopsy, don't know my gleason score yet, probably about 9, and stage IV, M something, I'm guessing
Bone pain but on meds.
What do I expect next: External radiation? 24 treatments?
Or will they just let this old guy alone (to die in peace)?
mtg. with Urologist at American Hospital later this week.
Tudpock18
Forum Moderator
Joined : Sep 2008
Posts : 5611
Posted 7/17/2013 11:41 AM (GMT 0)
John, welcome to HW but sorry for your diagnosis. We have a number of members who have advanced prostate cancer who will likely chime in with their thoughts based on their experience and education about our disease.
Jim
Posted 7/17/2013 12:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hello John,
Welcome to the forum. Sorry you need to be here but glad you found us.
The bad news here is that if you were planning to live to be the worlds oldest man that plan might be in trouble. Between the hormones you just started, and, yes, occasional radiation for your metastases and other palliative treatments, newly diagnosed phase IV prostate cancer can usually be managed successfully for a decade or more, and that's just with the treatments available right now. Who knows what will be available next year, or the year after that?
Let us know when you get the results of your biopsy and what the urologist at the American Hospital says.
Todd1963
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2008
Posts : 3626
Posted 7/17/2013 12:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi John
There is so much that can be done now days that its hard to say. I don't believe you will be dying anytime soon. Hormone therapy usually does a great job of putting the beasty back on it's heals. It often works for many years. Don't go out and dig yourself a hole just yet. It is a scary time at first but it gets better. Hang in there buddy. Todd
Posted 7/17/2013 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
John, Just my advice, I too am new here, I too have advanced PC with Bone mets. Do not get discouraged, Keep the faith, Stay Strong. My Lupron shots have put "the beast" into remission and I have been told I have many, many more years. My further advice is to seek out and continue to find the best Oncologist that you can. I was fortunate to have Insurance coverage that right away allowed me to be treated a large Cancer Center. I feel they are specialized in treatment that even a competant Urologist might not be. (My Urologist was not very competant or personal).Your outlook does have a lot to do with your Journey, so try to be positive and also do everything thing to keep your immune system strong. Once again, Keep the faith , stay connected to this Healing well site and to others that can share info with you. Peace to you, to live stronger and not fade or give way. Live your precious retirement years and make each day count!
SpecialLady
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2011
Posts : 1029
Posted 7/18/2013 12:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi John, don´t have much time to write, but I believe this with 100% of my being: there is much, much hope in prostate cancer. You will have many years to live. You live in a country where the latest medication for advanced PC is available, even after HT stops working. And HT has been known to work for years. There are also cases that seem unbelievable, people living 10yrs and longer, with bone mets. It is possible. No PC is alike, and no PC patient is alike. I also learned that it is important to stay at least one step ahead of the disease. When you do that (with the help of a very good and knowledgable expert on PC - find the best one in France!), your chances are much better at keeping your disease under control. Best to you!
Fairwind
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2010
Posts : 4107
Posted 7/19/2013 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
"Had a late biopsy, don't know my gleason score yet, probably about 9, and stage IV, M something, I'm guessing"
Stop guessing! Don't make yourself a Gleason 9, let the pathologist determine that...about half the PC is Gleason 6 and very few men die from that...
The worst part about this will be the side-effects caused by the HT....It comes on slowly, you will hardly notice it, hot flashes first but then the rest of it will kick in...But it beats dying that's for sure! Best of luck to you!