I had radiation to T3 on my spine (post-op) in 2021 and to my prostate itself in 2022. So far, so good. I do have some side effects, but it was worth it for the extra years (hopefully many of them).
With stage 4, they seem to go a lot by the patient's wishes. If I'd wanted purely palliative care, I'm sure they would have been supportive; but because I told them I wanted to fight (I was only 56 at the time), they came out swinging for me.
I had radiation to T3 on my spine (post-op) in 2021 and to my prostate itself in 2022. So far, so good. I do have some side effects, but it was worth it for the extra years (hopefully many of them).
With stage 4, they seem to go a lot by the patient's wishes. If I'd wanted purely palliative care, I'm sure they would have been supportive; but because I told them I wanted to fight (I was only 56 at the time), they came out swinging for me.
I'm 56yo now.
I was trying to get some answers from the specialist but no luck yet.
Like can I have the removal of the prostate if unsuccessful.
Just started taking meds before they do the radiation
I had radiation to T3 on my spine (post-op) in 2021 and to my prostate itself in 2022. So far, so good. I do have some side effects, but it was worth it for the extra years (hopefully many of them).
With stage 4, they seem to go a lot by the patient's wishes. If I'd wanted purely palliative care, I'm sure they would have been supportive; but because I told them I wanted to fight (I was only 56 at the time), they came out swinging for me.
I’ve been through radiation. I know many people that have been through it. What is your Gleason score? What is your latest PSA?
What kind of radiation Are you having? How many sessions? I had seven weeks of IMRT with no side effects at all, for about six years. My brother had five sessions of SBRT, With only minor short term side effects. While you can have surgery after radiation, they cannot “ Remove the prostate” The same as if you had it done in the first place.
Tell us some more about your case and we can give you a lot more information.
There are other treatments besides radiation HIFU, cryotherapy, TULSA-PRO or more (others here may recommend).
From the doctors notes.
T3b, PSA 38, risk very high.
Pet scan no Mets?- hard to read his writing.
On bicalutamide for next 28 days, leuprorelin injection 2 weeks.
Next will be radiation I think but not sure when.
Trying to get some information out of the specialist as my liver score isn't really that good and the bicalutamide could be an issue.
I'm 60 now. Still no progression, and my PSA remains undetectable, so I've been lucky. I've also been on ADT and Apalutamide continually since 2021 to help keep any remaining cancer cells dormant.
I'm not a medical professional, and could be wrong, but since the cancer has already left your prostate I'm not sure that removing the prostate would do a lot of good. Radiation can fan out and kill cancer near the prostate as well as the cancer in it, and with your local spread, that seems sensible.
I'm 60 now. Still no progression, and my PSA remains undetectable, so I've been lucky. I've also been on ADT and Apalutamide continually since 2021 to help keep any remaining cancer cells dormant.
I'm not a medical professional, and could be wrong, but since the cancer has already left your prostate I'm not sure that removing the prostate would do a lot of good. Radiation can fan out and kill cancer near the prostate as well as the cancer in it, and with your local spread, that seems sensible.
Thanks for the clarification. Ask for whatever you need. You're the CEO of your treatment team, and the one who will deal with the consequences (good or bad) of every decision.
Your medical team might push back and/or explain why whatever you ask isn't the best idea, but it all starts with you asking questions and saying what your priorities are.
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I had radiation to T3 on my spine (post-op) in 2021 and to my prostate itself in 2022. So far, so good. I do have some side effects, but it was worth it for the extra years (hopefully many of them).
With stage 4, they seem to go a lot by the patient's wishes. If I'd wanted purely palliative care, I'm sure they would have been supportive; but because I told them I wanted to fight (I was only 56 at the time), they came out swinging for me.
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1 ReactionI'm 56yo now.
I was trying to get some answers from the specialist but no luck yet.
Like can I have the removal of the prostate if unsuccessful.
Just started taking meds before they do the radiation
How old are you now
I’ve been through radiation. I know many people that have been through it. What is your Gleason score? What is your latest PSA?
What kind of radiation Are you having? How many sessions? I had seven weeks of IMRT with no side effects at all, for about six years. My brother had five sessions of SBRT, With only minor short term side effects. While you can have surgery after radiation, they cannot “ Remove the prostate” The same as if you had it done in the first place.
Tell us some more about your case and we can give you a lot more information.
There are other treatments besides radiation HIFU, cryotherapy, TULSA-PRO or more (others here may recommend).
From the doctors notes.
T3b, PSA 38, risk very high.
Pet scan no Mets?- hard to read his writing.
On bicalutamide for next 28 days, leuprorelin injection 2 weeks.
Next will be radiation I think but not sure when.
Trying to get some information out of the specialist as my liver score isn't really that good and the bicalutamide could be an issue.
I'm 60 now. Still no progression, and my PSA remains undetectable, so I've been lucky. I've also been on ADT and Apalutamide continually since 2021 to help keep any remaining cancer cells dormant.
I'm not a medical professional, and could be wrong, but since the cancer has already left your prostate I'm not sure that removing the prostate would do a lot of good. Radiation can fan out and kill cancer near the prostate as well as the cancer in it, and with your local spread, that seems sensible.
Best of luck, whatever you decide.
No one has mentioned a Gleason score yet
I think he said 3 weeks of radiation but not sure
I think the cancer is still localised to the prostate. With potential is in the ceminal tubes doc said.
I had a pet scan and they didn't see anything in the rest of the body yet.
Not sure if I'm allowed to request surgery
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3 ReactionsThanks for the clarification. Ask for whatever you need. You're the CEO of your treatment team, and the one who will deal with the consequences (good or bad) of every decision.
Your medical team might push back and/or explain why whatever you ask isn't the best idea, but it all starts with you asking questions and saying what your priorities are.
Again, best of luck!
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