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Alternative to prostate removal surgery
So, my PSA is 8.5 but I am on finasteride and Tamsulosin which I'm told doubles the true PSA level. I'm looking for an alternative to surgery, some other treatment or medicine that will help me control the PSA level. The surgery is very untasteful for me to go through with.
Does anyone have any ideas to at the very least slow down the rise in my PSA level over the past two years. I'm 68 don't smoke or drink and have been going to the gym religiously for 8 years. I'm desperate for any alternative to removal or radiation.
Thank you
Dillon
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Don’t know if Tulsa Pro will work for 3 spots, but I would investigate. My story: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tulsa-pro-experience-mayo-clinic-mn-july-2024/
My PSA went from 8.6 to 0.68 at 3 months. Zero side effects at this point and as a bonus I now only get up once a night to pee!
I had a biopsy in April that showed it.
Yes, you have to double it!
I've been on finasteride for a very long time, my PSA was elevated and I have cancer. It may have played some part in the cancer (who knows) or in the elevated PSA (who knows) but the biopsy, MRI and ultrasound proved it all beyond any shadow of doubt.
You have now stated two different Gleason score results. Because you said you only had cancer in one, the second set of numbers 3+3 and 3+4 seem more logical to be what you meant to say, But you also said. “Yes, I have two 3+4 and one 4+3 for a total of three”
I have two 3 +3 and one 3+4
Is the 2nd set of numbers correct?
Yes, it is, to answer your reply.
I'm sorry I'm a wreck right now. I can't even think straight. The second set is correct.
Yes, I hear you. There is also a spot on my kidney that is unrelated I believe. That spot I'm waiting for the ok from the insurance to have an MRI to see what's up with that.
Tulsa Pro can do multiple spots in case you were wondering. Some academic places doing Tulsa are taking 3+4 single spots but only to keep it simple and get publications out the door, you may have to go to one of the non-academic Tulsa places like I did, see my link I posted earlier. Try to stay calm and use meditation or contemplation practices so you can work on it as needed because there is a lot usually to read and think about. I had a lot of your fears too, and Tulsa was the right one to go to. I also had a spot on kidney too that was not prostate cancer but I had ablated a year before I did Tulsa.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tulsa-pro-initial-experience/
Dillon, I understand how you feel. 15 years ago when they told me I had prostate cancer, I was freaked out. I wanted somebody to tell me how long I had to live, will I make it for five years what was going to happen?
I had a Gleason 4+3 Which is more aggressive than you have, And I’m still here 15 years later, I have BRCA2, Which prevents my body from correcting errors in DNA, And can make the cancer much worse, Yet, I am still here 15 years later. . Your cancer is very treatable. It’s not extensive, It apparently has not spread. You could get SBRT radiation and never have problems again.
You will probably live for decades with this problem behind you. Don’t let this Depress you, Treatment is going to fix your cancer problem, I know many people that wish they were in your position because they have much more aggressive cancers.
Ask your doctor to get a decipher test. It will tell you the likelihood of spread and metastasis, In your case, I suspect it’ll be very low
Oddly enough I also had kidney cancer before this particular nightmare so I understand more than you realize.
And, according to my urologist, kidney and prostate cancers are so rarely related to one another as to be a one in a 100 million kind of thing.