Dying from PC. Questions doctors don't seem to want to answer.

Posted by rick42wood @rick42wood, Jul 23, 2023

How does prostate cancer eventually kill you? You can survive without a prostate so how do you die? I have often head of doctors saying you are more likely to die with it than from it, but if you do die from it, what is the process?

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The cancer is still called PC but it spreads to other places and you die from that. It is slow growing so doctors often figure that a heart attack or something else will take you first and if that happens you have not died from prostate cancer.

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Prostate cancer usually enter the skeletal structure and causes degradation of bones, less often it takes up shop in organs.

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has ur cancer metastized?
my husband just finished his 44 treatments and now house to start on alibaterone with prednisone for 2 years.
he also taking lupron shots for 2 years.
r u on these treatments

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I get Zolodex shots every 3 months Now on Xtanda pills 5k a month after 4 years and Xgeva shots 3 months Feel great at 78 All meds fully covered thank God Yes Stay close to Jesus

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I got feedback from several urologists and radiologists/oncologists. I also did research on Mayo, John Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic, ACS, etc.

Based on this and not my personal opinion is is based on the type of prostrate cancer you have, the stage it is in, the aggressiveness of it, etc. For most the cancer is localized, low risk, and slow growing. It does mean it will take many years for it to move from the prostrate to other organs and tissues. Based on your age then you are more likely to die from another disease or condition.

For those who's stage, group, risk, type, it can already be at a stage it is affecting other tissues and threat to surronding organs. Some already have it spread. It is why you need an excellent biopsy done (MRI/FUSION), bone scan, pet scan to determine what treatment is best.

Thus I was told same thing. I would die from something else. I am 76 though with heart failure. But I have heart failure since 2000 with no restrictions on physical exercise. Just got a body that adapted.

So get second opinions, research, challenge, asked questions.

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@komurph

has ur cancer metastized?
my husband just finished his 44 treatments and now house to start on alibaterone with prednisone for 2 years.
he also taking lupron shots for 2 years.
r u on these treatments

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I am on Erleada and my PSA is .2. It was over 2000 the first time it was checked and it had metastasized into my spine. In continuous pain and on lot's of pain meds with lots of side effects. 75 Years old.

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Our urologist told us bluntly that since my husband had a leakage spot on his pelvic bone that he would die in 6 months from bone cancer if he doesn’t take the meds he suggested. Needless to say we are looking for a new UR while my husband continues on Lupron & Xtandi.

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@rick42wood

I am on Erleada and my PSA is .2. It was over 2000 the first time it was checked and it had metastasized into my spine. In continuous pain and on lot's of pain meds with lots of side effects. 75 Years old.

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Thank you for commenting I am so sorry about ur diagnosis.
I will pray for u and ask God to heal you.
This is a rough disease.

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Just had a discussion with my oncologist about this. Her response was, All unmanaged cancer(s) will spread and eventually become fatal. So the key is management. The more aggressive the cancer, the more aggressive the monitoring and the treatments.

My stage 4 PC was very aggressive. And I was very young comparatively. (58). So my doc proposed a “scorched earth” treatment plan. And now I go in once a month for a PSA check. (NOTE: in my case they removed the prostate therefore I should have zero PSA).

So, when my PSA shows up in a lab test, it’s time to change (up) the treatment.

I agree with @jc76. All our experiences are going to be different. Continue ti ask questions. Read and research.

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I was diagnosed with PC at 58. Mine was highly aggressive. I pressed my oncologist this question…”what is the prognosis for curing this disease?” He hung his head a said “Very low.” (I had a Gleason score of 5+4 to 5+5 and the pc had spread to seminal vesicles and several lymph nodes but not yet to my bones.
Fortunately, my wife wouldn’t accept this and did tons of research. Long story short…we found a doc at Mayo Rochester (Dr. Kwon) that treats PC more aggressively. Eighteen months past my original diagnosis (stage 4) now and my recent scan was clean and my PSA

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