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Beginning prostate cancer treatment
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Mar 13, 2022 | Replies (52)Comment receiving replies
I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in May of 2021 having a PSA reading of 7.9. My biopsy resulted in a Gleason of 7 (4+3).
Went through 28 treatments of Proton Beam Therapy at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix -- with no side effects. I turned down, even though it was encouraged, a 6 month injection of Lupron. My radiation oncologist told me that a 6 month injection of Lupron was recommended, but NOT mandatory in his view.
Again, my PSA prior to PBT was 7.9 . Yesterday, I had my 3 month follow-up blood draw to test my PSA. My PSA came back at 1.9. Good results!
I turned down the hormone injection, even though “recommended” due to all of the side effects that I kept reading about.
As of right now, I am pleased with my results and happy that I did not take the 6 month hormone injection. I have another followup PSA test scheduled in 3 months (which will be my 6 month followup after my last PBT treatment). I guess time will tell if I made the right decision.
Replies to "I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in May of 2021 having a PSA reading of 7.9...."
Thanks for sharing, @kansascityhusker. My situation mirrors yours, almost to a T. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in June '21 with a 6.5 PSA and Gleeson 7 (3+4). I, too, turned down Lupron/ADT. My 28 Mayo Phoenix Proton sessions ended last Thanksgiving. My first follow-up blood draw is next month (March '22) ... looking forward to PSA result similar to yours.
I have just been diagnosed with prostate cancer, Gleason score of 3+4, PSA of 4.2. I went to a highly regarded surgeon who recommended surgery. I then went to a radiation oncologist at the Mayo Clinic to consider proton therapy. I am 69. Bottom line, I decided to go with the proton therapy. And I am electing to turn down the hormone treatments at this time. The doctor at Mayo said there is a University of Florida study that shows good results with proton therapy alone. It seems the best choice to me for keeping my quality of life.
I will start the 28 radiation treatments in a couple of weeks. Like you, time will tell if I made the right decision.
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My Prostate Cancer at 4.1 was treated with radiation and chemicals back in 1998. It wasn't until 2018 that I found blood in my urine. In 2021, the flow of blood was excessive enough to warrant 45 days of wearing a catheter (because of blood clots). I was never told of the long term consequences of my treatment, not I would have much of a choice to make. The blood comes from the damaged prostate.