Tumor at Spinal Cord

Posted by cal77 @cal77, 8 hours ago

Hi,

My husband diagnosed with Stage 4 Metatastic Prostate cancer in 2023. They put him on Apalutamdie and Eligard shots.
2024 - December- They thought they would try chemo, as his PSA was rising. They did bone scan and CT scan and decided things were sort of stable,
2025-Oct - All of a sudden, there was extreme fatigue and his PSA jumped 100% to 150, then in 4 weeks it was 200. We talked to the Oncologist several times in October and they thought maybe radiation, but the radiation doctor said no, maybe chemo. Then we talked to the Oncologist next week and said my husband was too weak for chemo.
2025-Nov 10- Went to Emergency. My husband could barely walk, needed a Walker and wheelchair..his legs were so weak and his balance was off. They did an MRI and found a tumor at T4 next to his spinal cord.

Right now, he's still in the hospital. He can't stand. Can't weight bear or walk. Very upsetting. He was cycling 150Kilometers on his bike a month ago and mowing the lawn.

Question: Anyone know how long the recovery is for this? Anyone else had this happen? The Neurosurgeon is vague and said he doesn't know if he'll walk again.

Please someone tell me he'll be okay. He was so active.

Thanks

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shalom7777777 | @shalom7777777 | 7 hours ago

@Call77

Sorry to hear about your situation. You did good coming to this forum. There are several people here who have had similar experiences and spinal metastasis. I am sure they will chip in shortly.
Sending you healing vibes an prayers.

jeff Marchi | @jeffmarc | 7 hours ago

I had a tumor wrapped around my L4 on my spinal cord. They did an MRI figured out where exactly it was located and then I had three sessions of SBRT radiation to remove it. The T4 seems to be more of an issue and in a different location.

If the radiation oncologist said they can’t use that then it could be that it has grown too much and maybe surgery can resolve it. I was told if the metastasis I had got any worse it could affect my ability to walk.

I’ve heard of a lot of different tumor problems people had, but nothing similar to what you’re having right now.

Here are some information from an AI search.

A prostate cancer metastasis on the T4 vertebra can potentially be removed or decompressed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and restore or preserve leg function, especially in carefully selected patients. This type of surgery involves a neurosurgeon, an orthopedic spine surgeon, or a multidisciplinary team of both.

Hopefully you can get these kind of doctors involved real soon so you can get this situation treated quickly.

brianjarvis | @brianjarvis | 6 hours ago

Since they’ve tried hormone therapy (ADT: Eligard & ARPI: Apalutumide [Erleada]), and he may be too week for chemo, have they discussed using Pluvicto (Lutetium-177) or Xofigo (Radium-223)?

Have they done a PSMA PET scan?

northoftheborder | @northoftheborder | 6 hours ago

My tumour was at T3 in 2021, so in almost the identical spot as your husband's, and it also rapidly paralysed me from the ribs down. I had emergency debulking surgery to my spine to remove most of the tumour, then 5 rounds of radiation to my spine a few weeks later to destroy any remnants. I was flat on my back in a hospital bed for two months, then in the rehab centre for another month and a half before I could go back home (in a wheelchair).

Just sitting up was a struggle at first — I could barely even wiggle my toes. By 3 months, I could briefly bear weight by locking my knees. After 9 months, I was starting to use a walker for very short distances (100m was like a marathon). After a year, I was getting around more outside with a walker, and starting to use a cane indoors. At 18 months, I was using a cane outdoors, and I tried my first post-surgery bicycle ride.

I never fully recovered — I still have imperfect sensation below my ribs, and my right leg is weaker than my left — but after 2 years I was walking again without a cane, riding a bicycle, shovelling snow, and even climbing ladders, and now, after 4 years, I'm living an almost normal life, something I never thought I'd have again. I am very grateful for everything I got back.

But your husband needs to know that he's facing the challenge of his life: the 150 km bike rides were just a light warm-up compared to what it's going to take to regain mobility, and there will be lots of setbacks and no guarantees. Good physiotherapists and occupational therapists will be key.

I wish him and you all the best of luck. ❤️