1. < Prostate Cancer

Enormous Prostate: Working on a Treatment Plan

Posted by hoops0200 @hoops0200, Feb 16 10:00am

Hi, all. I am new here. I had a PSA a few months ago and there was alarm when it came out to an 8 and change. They tested it again a few weeks later and it was an 11.3. A digital exam found nothing unusual but the doctor ordered an MRI, which did not show anything that looked obvious for cancer. "Highly Unlikely" was the finding. One horrible thing came out of it, though. A normal prostate apparently has a volume of 20-30, I believe? My doctor said he would be highly concerned if it was 60-80 or larger, but mine is 190 in volume. He was shocked that I have only mild symptoms related to it in terms of the "normal" enlarged prostate symptoms. (I urinate a little more often, infrequently start and stop, get up 1-2 times a night, etc. Normal sexual function.) My PSA was still at 11.8 after 3-4 weeks since the last 11. I don't know if it matters, but I am 6'7" and weigh just over 300 lbs., though I hold it well. (Most people guess I am 250-270 lbs.)

He has ordered a TRUS biopsy in a couple of weeks, despite the MRI findings being good. He says he does not wish to address the size of the prostate until he is 100% sure there is no cancer. I guess that is the wise choice? What do you think?

Afterwards, assuming the biopsy is clear, he wants to perform a TURP to remove excess prostate tissue. There are doctors here who can perform HeLoP, as well. Which is better? I have read that HeLoP is a better option than TRUS for large prostates like mine? (I'm hoping - even assuming - there are no signs of cancer, obviously, and that this is the path.) Thanks for any advice. I've been a bit anxious about it all, but am a man of faith, so not terribly stricken with worry. I appreciate any suggestions or thoughts!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

hoops0200 | @hoops0200 | Mar 4 6:47am
In reply to @mulberry "Yes, windrider0200, that was my experience too (with the Transrectal biopsy). No big deal. Here below..." + (show)
@mulberry

Yes, windrider0200, that was my experience too (with the Transrectal biopsy). No big deal. Here below is the link to my previous detailed experience. By the way, just one more thought. My first orgasm post biopsy was dramatic and quite memorable. Thank goodness I had read about it here on the forum because the doctor never told me or if he did, he downplayed it. Mine was like solid blood! Over the next week or so it gradually became less red, more pink and then back to normal.
Best wishes to hoops0200 and all the brethren.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/received-mri-results-today/?pg=8#comment-1188714

Jump to this post

Thanks for sharing, Mulberry (and others)! The biopsy is tomorrow. I wasn't prescribed an antibiotic. Maybe I get a shot tomorrow and then a prescription?

Still quite nervous but work has me distracted enough to think on other things. Hoping for no cancer and a plan to reduce the size and back to a "normal" life, whatever that is! But, I'm ready for whatever God has for me!

REPLY
bjroc | @bjroc | Mar 4 7:24am

Here is one possibility of things you can look at for BPH I came up with, doctors use dutasteride and similar for BPH but they don't really solve problems

Testosterone / estrogen ratios improvement protocol v005

This is geared for one potential cause of BPH, there likely are other causes. This is what I came up with after a lot of reading. Have a holistic doctor, naturopath, primary care, or other doctor order labs for you (testosterone, estrogen and progesterone) and hopefully have useful suggestions. A good testosterone to estrogen ratio for a male that is 40 or older should be around 10 and up, though it is much higher in younger men. The units may differ on T and E but you want the ratio of the two at 10 and up on a US run lab (not international or S.I. which may differ). If it is quite a bit lower there are some things you can do.

Symptoms of poor Testosterone / estrogen ratio in men include (You may have just one or two or a little of a few and not all of these):

• BPH and sometimes prostate cancer follows
• Low libido
• Hair loss
• Weight gain & body fat
• Gynecomastia (“man-boobs”)
• Erectile dysfunction
• Muscle loss
• Fatigue

Things to do - knowing we are people with prostate problems including PCa.

• If PCa and BPH, don’t take exogenous testosterone (like injections) unless approved by physicians, so only work on natural was to raise the Testosterone portion of the ratio. That would mean exercise, controlling blood sugar, etc.
• Try things to lower estrogen. Some natural ways are cruciferous vegetables. Supplements include Sulforaphane glucosinolate (SGS) and DIM as these derive from cruciferous vegetables. Be sure the DIM and SGS work right for you, as they may not always do the job or an inadequate one. These are a good first try and these supplements are OTC, just buy a high quality one. My personal experience is these don’t work that well.
• Avoid plastic touching food especially hot food, as it has “xenoestrogens” which to the body are just like estrogen. That means dump all plastic storage containers, especially older ones. Some filter all drinking water to get plastics out.
• Think about avoiding meat, see movie called Game Changers and what meat does, there are compounds in meat that are prostate unfriendly. https://gamechangersmovie.com/
• Talk to your doctor about progesterone as it is a truly natural anti-estrogen but only if ratios are really bad (well below 10). Protocol for using OTC progesterone below

Things you will need
1 OTC progesterone (Amazon search: progesterone USP micronized powder)
2 1/64 tsp measuring spoon (about the size of half a tic tac if you remember those).
3 Table spoon
4 Pure Olive oil in a dropper

You will need a very small amount of progesterone daily with breaks from time to time (more than a full week break). Use a low dose suitable for men and doctors ordering labs to help (estrogen and testosterone), so it does require a doctors help for that. Trans-mucosal administered progesterone may produce best results. Progesterone Powder USP, Bioidentical Micronized Powder can be dissolved into tiny amounts of oil with a measuring spoon. For men 1/64 tsp (use the tiny measuring spoon), dissolve into drops of Olive oil on a table spoon, mix around with finger. Apply with finger transmucosally or on gum area of mouth 30 minutes before bed. It will make you sleepy, just be aware of that. Have labs often to recheck the T/E ratio. Do take plenty of breaks from progesterone.

REPLY
1 reply
heavyphil | @heavyphil | Mar 5 7:31am
In reply to @bjroc "Here is one possibility of things you can look at for BPH I came up with,..." + (show)
@bjroc

Here is one possibility of things you can look at for BPH I came up with, doctors use dutasteride and similar for BPH but they don't really solve problems

Testosterone / estrogen ratios improvement protocol v005

This is geared for one potential cause of BPH, there likely are other causes. This is what I came up with after a lot of reading. Have a holistic doctor, naturopath, primary care, or other doctor order labs for you (testosterone, estrogen and progesterone) and hopefully have useful suggestions. A good testosterone to estrogen ratio for a male that is 40 or older should be around 10 and up, though it is much higher in younger men. The units may differ on T and E but you want the ratio of the two at 10 and up on a US run lab (not international or S.I. which may differ). If it is quite a bit lower there are some things you can do.

Symptoms of poor Testosterone / estrogen ratio in men include (You may have just one or two or a little of a few and not all of these):

• BPH and sometimes prostate cancer follows
• Low libido
• Hair loss
• Weight gain & body fat
• Gynecomastia (“man-boobs”)
• Erectile dysfunction
• Muscle loss
• Fatigue

Things to do - knowing we are people with prostate problems including PCa.

• If PCa and BPH, don’t take exogenous testosterone (like injections) unless approved by physicians, so only work on natural was to raise the Testosterone portion of the ratio. That would mean exercise, controlling blood sugar, etc.
• Try things to lower estrogen. Some natural ways are cruciferous vegetables. Supplements include Sulforaphane glucosinolate (SGS) and DIM as these derive from cruciferous vegetables. Be sure the DIM and SGS work right for you, as they may not always do the job or an inadequate one. These are a good first try and these supplements are OTC, just buy a high quality one. My personal experience is these don’t work that well.
• Avoid plastic touching food especially hot food, as it has “xenoestrogens” which to the body are just like estrogen. That means dump all plastic storage containers, especially older ones. Some filter all drinking water to get plastics out.
• Think about avoiding meat, see movie called Game Changers and what meat does, there are compounds in meat that are prostate unfriendly. https://gamechangersmovie.com/
• Talk to your doctor about progesterone as it is a truly natural anti-estrogen but only if ratios are really bad (well below 10). Protocol for using OTC progesterone below

Things you will need
1 OTC progesterone (Amazon search: progesterone USP micronized powder)
2 1/64 tsp measuring spoon (about the size of half a tic tac if you remember those).
3 Table spoon
4 Pure Olive oil in a dropper

You will need a very small amount of progesterone daily with breaks from time to time (more than a full week break). Use a low dose suitable for men and doctors ordering labs to help (estrogen and testosterone), so it does require a doctors help for that. Trans-mucosal administered progesterone may produce best results. Progesterone Powder USP, Bioidentical Micronized Powder can be dissolved into tiny amounts of oil with a measuring spoon. For men 1/64 tsp (use the tiny measuring spoon), dissolve into drops of Olive oil on a table spoon, mix around with finger. Apply with finger transmucosally or on gum area of mouth 30 minutes before bed. It will make you sleepy, just be aware of that. Have labs often to recheck the T/E ratio. Do take plenty of breaks from progesterone.

Jump to this post

I used DIM for about a year and saw no noticeable changes in my body or drop in PSA values. I think a lot of these supplements (not talking progesterone because that is a real hormone) work best in vitro and all of us handle it differently metabolically.
I also ate enough organic broccoli- stalks and all - to almost turn green, yet here I am on this prostate cancer forum. I want my money back😫

REPLY
2 replies
jeffMar | @jeffmarc | Mar 5 11:37am
In reply to @heavyphil "I used DIM for about a year and saw no noticeable changes in my body or..." + (show)
@heavyphil

I used DIM for about a year and saw no noticeable changes in my body or drop in PSA values. I think a lot of these supplements (not talking progesterone because that is a real hormone) work best in vitro and all of us handle it differently metabolically.
I also ate enough organic broccoli- stalks and all - to almost turn green, yet here I am on this prostate cancer forum. I want my money back😫

Jump to this post

You need the Australian super broccoli! They have a super broccoli soup you only have to drink once a week to help protect you against prostate cancer growth..

REPLY
1 reply
heavyphil | @heavyphil | Mar 5 1:14pm
In reply to @jeffmarc "You need the Australian super broccoli! They have a super broccoli soup you only have to..." + (show)
@jeffmarc

You need the Australian super broccoli! They have a super broccoli soup you only have to drink once a week to help protect you against prostate cancer growth..

Jump to this post

Haha!! Another magic bullet to chase! The DIM compound I was taking was from a specialty outfit that produced compounds in “therapeutic doses”….I think each DIM capsule was like eating the equivalent of 3 bushels of broccoli. I think it might have GIVEN me prostate cancer!😝

REPLY
bjroc | @bjroc | Mar 7 8:18am
In reply to @heavyphil "I used DIM for about a year and saw no noticeable changes in my body or..." + (show)
@heavyphil

I used DIM for about a year and saw no noticeable changes in my body or drop in PSA values. I think a lot of these supplements (not talking progesterone because that is a real hormone) work best in vitro and all of us handle it differently metabolically.
I also ate enough organic broccoli- stalks and all - to almost turn green, yet here I am on this prostate cancer forum. I want my money back😫

Jump to this post

Yes, DIM and SGS only do a tiny amount and may have issues in that their mechanism of action likely differs from actual human methods of hormones lowering estrogens, and this is why progesterone is a better option for many people. Especially if it means eating enough broccoli to turn us green. It would of course be a good thing if urologists would advocate for management of prostate related hormones in a more formal way.

REPLY
hoops0200 | @hoops0200 | Mar 15 5:42pm
In reply to @mulberry "Yes, windrider0200, that was my experience too (with the Transrectal biopsy). No big deal. Here below..." + (show)
@mulberry

Yes, windrider0200, that was my experience too (with the Transrectal biopsy). No big deal. Here below is the link to my previous detailed experience. By the way, just one more thought. My first orgasm post biopsy was dramatic and quite memorable. Thank goodness I had read about it here on the forum because the doctor never told me or if he did, he downplayed it. Mine was like solid blood! Over the next week or so it gradually became less red, more pink and then back to normal.
Best wishes to hoops0200 and all the brethren.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/received-mri-results-today/?pg=8#comment-1188714

Jump to this post

Thanks for this reply, Mulberry. The first couple of opportunities were relatively traumatic, but fortunately my wife, especially, has taken it all in stride. So have I. I'm hoping it will get better quickly, but only 10-days post-biopsy, it is still an anxiety filled experience for a few moments!

REPLY
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