PSA test results, should I start my treatment sooner?

My Gleason 9 meant- 28 RT trips followed by butt injections every 3 months - Trelstar/Lupron along with additional ADT pills- Zytiga/prednisone. for over 24 months. Now I m off ADT altogether as PSA has been less than .01 for 6 months. Started out with a PSA of 8.3 with pelvic lymph node involvement on 2/2/2022. From 13 biopsies. Hope this helps ya.

@zzotte
First sorry you have joined the group. It is a group that you don't want to be in but we are here to provide you are expereiences and provide inspiration to you on dealing with and beating this cancer.

Posters other than me that have had their prostate cancer metastasized could be more helpful than me regarding their experiences and treatments.

My decipher test revealed low risk so did not have hormone treatments. With your diagnosis seems that hormone treatment would have alreacy been discussed with you and most like put on some type now.

I have read so much from other posters and my own research (as my original treatment plan was with hormone but was changed to only radiation because of Decipher test). Prostate cancer feeds on testostorone. When you get hormone treatment it starves the prostate cancer cells and inhibits growth. Then which every treatment you get RP or radiation it helps keep it from growing and enhances the success of what ever treatment you get.

If you were not put on hormone treatment I would asked your urologist and or R/O about it. I hope those on MCC who have had hormone treatments can be more helpful to you than I can.
Good luck!!

If you could get ADT soon it will stop your cancer from growing and can give you time so you can wait until your July date. Speak to the doctor about getting a Lupron shot, though you do want Casodex first to prevent a flash.

If you could just get an Orgovyx prescription you could start immediately 1 pill a day. Would stop the cancer From growing and spreading for a while as well.

Thank you Jeff, I’m somewhat nervous after seen the last PSA result I know it’s not a lot since Oct ( less then a 1 point) but it was a significant rise from March. I sent an email to my Oncologist let’s see what he says, but your idea is great I should start the pills at least.
Thanks Jeff
Zzotte

The first step is to get on hormone treatments. That will arrest progress until you come back and give you time to consider options. Not sure about how ADT affects metastasized cells.

In my case Gleason 7 (3+4), unfavorable intermediate (8 of 14 cores positive), my oncologist started me on Orgovyx 2 weeks before my SBRT. I was told that we would see if I could stop Orgovyx after 8 or 12 months. I'm hoping for 8.

Sooner? Yes...immediately! Your health (life) should be a priority! First things first.

What do you want to do? Have you spoken with your Dr? How long is your trip? How old are you?
What do you mean by "my Metastatic PC"?

Are you anticipating RP or RT w/ ADT?

If the latter, then perhaps you can begin ADT (and I chose Orgovyx for Salvage Treatment) and delay RT. Note that ADT may "mess" with you in various ways.

Are you going to enjoy the travel; or be consumed with worry?

I also have noted some patients receiving ADT prior to RP.

Or, you wait until after your trip. Or you postpone the trip.

My PSA with G 9 increased from 5.6 in Dec to 7.2 at surgery in Aug. Did that allow cells to escape the prostate and become the EPE found at post-op pathology? Will never know.

Delays in diagnosis, waiting for testing and results take time and treatment schedules are often not immediate.

So would 6 - 8 weeks delay be meaningful? My initial Urological Surgeon could not schedule me for RP for 2 months. My 2d opinion Surgeon at Johns Hopkins (always my intention to go to JH if I needed treatment) had an opening in 10 days.

My point being that there can be many "delays" in the process.

Again, what is your emotional tolerance for delay?

Best wishes on your decision and treatment results.

I rear you, my trip is canceled, and I’m waiting for the new schedule date to start ADT, and radiation oncology will follow, as I said I have a Gleason 9, my PSMA pet scan shows small spots however is there, shoulder, left rib, pelvis, above the liver, two lymph nodes and two spots on my back, I have no tolerance for waiting my doctor says “it’s slow growth, you have plenty of time” but I don’t want to wait either and he already said the treatment it’s not a walk in the park, I get that so be it, let’s get moving
Zzotte

From my personal experience, look at your options, select a path and GO! At you stage and numbers, the sooner the better. The more time that passes gives the cancer time to dig in, advance, mutate, etc. Why wait if the signals say go. As @propane said in an earlier comment, your health should be first priority. Put emotions aside and just do it.