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@marlow2

Thanks for your comments. Jim was told he had intermediate cancer. When we worked with the radiologist, they said that some of the skeletol muscle was involved and that’s from calling the pathologist who did the biopsy. Now they are saying that he is high risk which involves 18 months of hormone instead of 6 months which would have been intermediate cancer. So, when you did the decipher was that an injection or what?

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@marlow2
One question. Did Jim have the Decipher test done? If so he should have that done before making any decisions on treatment and hormone drugs.

I was classified as intermediate based on my biopsies and May oncologist/radiolgist stated radiation and hormone treatments but (thank God) mentioned doing a Decipher test. I had that test and came back low risk not intermediate which does not have a recommendation for hormone treatments just curative radiation (words of my radiologist/oncologist).

So I had 30 rounds of proton radiation at UFPTI as May Jacksonville does not have proton radiation to treat prostrate cancer only photon. UFPTI radiologist/oncologist did not recommend hormone treatment either.

I have heard very sad stories of those takign hormone treatments and some that tolerate them quite well. But for me I did not want them and was glad that the Decipher test showed was not needed.

If you have not been told the hormone treatments are to starve the cancer cells of totosterone and keep from growing. Asked your oncologist/radiologist about the Decipher test. FYI, I had very little side affects from 30 rounds of proton radiation at UFPTI.

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@marlow2
The Decipher test is done on the biopsies taken. It is not an injection or another procedure. Since he already had biopsies done they use the same biopsies to obtain a genetic test on that.

I see he has had the cancer spread to muscles. Another test is PSMA. This shows whether cancer has spread outside the prostrate.

I am sorry to hear the spread. I would also recommend second opinions on diagnosis and treatments.