Prostate cancer
Discussion
I had my annual MOT a month ago which included bloods. As I am now of a certain age (64) I asked if they would include a PSA test. One small anomaly in the tests (not PSA) so they did another. After a visit to my GP today all seems well. My PSA is 0.9 so hopefully all is well down below!
crankedup5 said:
Last Visit said:
Last Visit said:
Hence in for a prostate biopsy next week, think this is a legs wide open in stirups job - not that I'm bothered about my dignity! Hoping its just signs of an infection. Will have to see.
Picked up a cancellation slot so had the biopsy done this morning. Obviously not enjoyable but not too bad, thanks to the posters above who shared their experiences. Legs in supports, birthing position. Didnt realise they take so many samples, 24 in total. Now got a 2 week wait or so to see if im in the club or not!
I also was fortunate to be offered a couple of cancellation slots which helped speed my treatment plan.
Keep us advised should you wish and good luck.
I've learnt a good bit from this thread, wishing all those within it all the best.
Last Visit said:
crankedup5 said:
Last Visit said:
Last Visit said:
Hence in for a prostate biopsy next week, think this is a legs wide open in stirups job - not that I'm bothered about my dignity! Hoping its just signs of an infection. Will have to see.
Picked up a cancellation slot so had the biopsy done this morning. Obviously not enjoyable but not too bad, thanks to the posters above who shared their experiences. Legs in supports, birthing position. Didnt realise they take so many samples, 24 in total. Now got a 2 week wait or so to see if im in the club or not!
I also was fortunate to be offered a couple of cancellation slots which helped speed my treatment plan.
Keep us advised should you wish and good luck.
I've learnt a good bit from this thread, wishing all those within it all the best.
For any of you who have had radiotherapy instead of a prostatectomy (op to remove) this should give you a positive outlook.
Back in July 2015 I was diagnosed with a PSA of 38, Gleason score of 9 and a T3b rating meaning the cancer had spread to nearby tissue, in my case the seminal vesicles. I was not offered any other treatment other than radiotherapy and hormone treatment, in my case Prostap.
After the then standard 37 zaps followed by 3 years of Prostap - later reduced to 2 years due to debilitating side effects - I had 3 monthly PSA tests reduced to 6 monthly. They recorded a PSA of 0.7 or 0.8 for the next 4 years.
So today I got my result and it was 0.5, the lowest it has ever been. The limit is 2.0 before concerns start again. Treatments have moved on a long way since mine began almost 7 years ago so it goes to prove that radiotherapy is a good alternative to the op to remove the prostate.
Back in July 2015 I was diagnosed with a PSA of 38, Gleason score of 9 and a T3b rating meaning the cancer had spread to nearby tissue, in my case the seminal vesicles. I was not offered any other treatment other than radiotherapy and hormone treatment, in my case Prostap.
After the then standard 37 zaps followed by 3 years of Prostap - later reduced to 2 years due to debilitating side effects - I had 3 monthly PSA tests reduced to 6 monthly. They recorded a PSA of 0.7 or 0.8 for the next 4 years.
So today I got my result and it was 0.5, the lowest it has ever been. The limit is 2.0 before concerns start again. Treatments have moved on a long way since mine began almost 7 years ago so it goes to prove that radiotherapy is a good alternative to the op to remove the prostate.
N7GTX said:
For any of you who have had radiotherapy instead of a prostatectomy (op to remove) this should give you a positive outlook.
Back in July 2015 I was diagnosed with a PSA of 38, Gleason score of 9 and a T3b rating meaning the cancer had spread to nearby tissue, in my case the seminal vesicles. I was not offered any other treatment other than radiotherapy and hormone treatment, in my case Prostap.
After the then standard 37 zaps followed by 3 years of Prostap - later reduced to 2 years due to debilitating side effects - I had 3 monthly PSA tests reduced to 6 monthly. They recorded a PSA of 0.7 or 0.8 for the next 4 years.
So today I got my result and it was 0.5, the lowest it has ever been. The limit is 2.0 before concerns start again. Treatments have moved on a long way since mine began almost 7 years ago so it goes to prove that radiotherapy is a good alternative to the op to remove the prostate.
Good news and certainly a very positive outlook.Back in July 2015 I was diagnosed with a PSA of 38, Gleason score of 9 and a T3b rating meaning the cancer had spread to nearby tissue, in my case the seminal vesicles. I was not offered any other treatment other than radiotherapy and hormone treatment, in my case Prostap.
After the then standard 37 zaps followed by 3 years of Prostap - later reduced to 2 years due to debilitating side effects - I had 3 monthly PSA tests reduced to 6 monthly. They recorded a PSA of 0.7 or 0.8 for the next 4 years.
So today I got my result and it was 0.5, the lowest it has ever been. The limit is 2.0 before concerns start again. Treatments have moved on a long way since mine began almost 7 years ago so it goes to prove that radiotherapy is a good alternative to the op to remove the prostate.
Worth mentioning the importance of continued PSA tests (post-treatment).
I went through the same treatment as above (exception being 1 yrs HT with Bicalutamide following the RT) with the RT finishing in Nov 2011 and being discharged from the care of my oncology team in 2012. PSA tests were done at three-month intervals.
My PCa returned in 2019 (PSA had gone up to 12.9 from a nadir of 0.2) which eventually ended up with the removal of my seminal vesicles (keyhole Da Vinci) in late Dec 2021.
Since then I've had 2 PSA tests (the last one a week ago), both showed an unrecordable level of PSA and a recovering reading of my testosterone (which is encouraging
)The message is to stick to the PSA testing regime post-treatment, you don't want a nasty shock, one that might come too late.
PS: @ Cranked, have you now finished your radiotherapy treatment?
don'tbesilly said:
N7GTX said:
For any of you who have had radiotherapy instead of a prostatectomy (op to remove) this should give you a positive outlook.
Back in July 2015 I was diagnosed with a PSA of 38, Gleason score of 9 and a T3b rating meaning the cancer had spread to nearby tissue, in my case the seminal vesicles. I was not offered any other treatment other than radiotherapy and hormone treatment, in my case Prostap.
After the then standard 37 zaps followed by 3 years of Prostap - later reduced to 2 years due to debilitating side effects - I had 3 monthly PSA tests reduced to 6 monthly. They recorded a PSA of 0.7 or 0.8 for the next 4 years.
So today I got my result and it was 0.5, the lowest it has ever been. The limit is 2.0 before concerns start again. Treatments have moved on a long way since mine began almost 7 years ago so it goes to prove that radiotherapy is a good alternative to the op to remove the prostate.
Good news and certainly a very positive outlook.Back in July 2015 I was diagnosed with a PSA of 38, Gleason score of 9 and a T3b rating meaning the cancer had spread to nearby tissue, in my case the seminal vesicles. I was not offered any other treatment other than radiotherapy and hormone treatment, in my case Prostap.
After the then standard 37 zaps followed by 3 years of Prostap - later reduced to 2 years due to debilitating side effects - I had 3 monthly PSA tests reduced to 6 monthly. They recorded a PSA of 0.7 or 0.8 for the next 4 years.
So today I got my result and it was 0.5, the lowest it has ever been. The limit is 2.0 before concerns start again. Treatments have moved on a long way since mine began almost 7 years ago so it goes to prove that radiotherapy is a good alternative to the op to remove the prostate.
Worth mentioning the importance of continued PSA tests (post-treatment).
I went through the same treatment as above (exception being 1 yrs HT with Bicalutamide following the RT) with the RT finishing in Nov 2011 and being discharged from the care of my oncology team in 2012. PSA tests were done at three-month intervals.
My PCa returned in 2019 (PSA had gone up to 12.9 from a nadir of 0.2) which eventually ended up with the removal of my seminal vesicles (keyhole Da Vinci) in late Dec 2021.
Since then I've had 2 PSA tests (the last one a week ago), both showed an unrecordable level of PSA and a recovering reading of my testosterone (which is encouraging
)The message is to stick to the PSA testing regime post-treatment, you don't want a nasty shock, one that might come too late.
PS: @ Cranked, have you now finished your radiotherapy treatment?
Yes my RT treatment has now finished and I have my first PSA review mid May. All seems good although I am absolutely fatigued with zero zest, guess this is the Zoladex kicking in. Thanks for asking.
Incidentally, I got caught in the new forum rules in NP&E. Hope to get back in within a few weeks, I find it a good distraction from current health.
crankedup5 said:
Good to read of your continued recovering good health dbs.
Yes my RT treatment has now finished and I have my first PSA review mid May. All seems good although I am absolutely fatigued with zero zest, guess this is the Zoladex kicking in.
Thanks for asking.
My next review is in 4 months so I'm quite pleased with that, although given my history I don't think I'll ever feel as though I'm totally free of PCa, and will always 'be looking over my shoulder', but I won't let that get in the way of leading life as it should be led.Yes my RT treatment has now finished and I have my first PSA review mid May. All seems good although I am absolutely fatigued with zero zest, guess this is the Zoladex kicking in.
Thanks for asking.
Zoladex is well known for causing fatigue (along with some other nasties), fortunately, I was only on it for a short period of time and that was prior to my RT not after.
Treatments have changed a lot since 2011 (when I had RT), 37 sessions as opposed to 20 odd, and no hormone therapy following the final zap, or during RT.
My neighbour is still on HT 2 years following his RT, how long will you be on Zoladex?
crankedup5 said:
Incidentally, I got caught in the new forum rules in NP&E. Hope to get back in within a few weeks, I find it a good distraction from current health.
Yes, I saw that. It seems quite draconian given your mitigating factors (new log in etc).See you soon.
don'tbesilly said:
crankedup5 said:
Good to read of your continued recovering good health dbs.
Yes my RT treatment has now finished and I have my first PSA review mid May. All seems good although I am absolutely fatigued with zero zest, guess this is the Zoladex kicking in.
Thanks for asking.
My next review is in 4 months so I'm quite pleased with that, although given my history I don't think I'll ever feel as though I'm totally free of PCa, and will always 'be looking over my shoulder', but I won't let that get in the way of leading life as it should be led.Yes my RT treatment has now finished and I have my first PSA review mid May. All seems good although I am absolutely fatigued with zero zest, guess this is the Zoladex kicking in.
Thanks for asking.
Zoladex is well known for causing fatigue (along with some other nasties), fortunately, I was only on it for a short period of time and that was prior to my RT not after.
Treatments have changed a lot since 2011 (when I had RT), 37 sessions as opposed to 20 odd, and no hormone therapy following the final zap, or during RT.
My neighbour is still on HT 2 years following his RT, how long will you be on Zoladex?
crankedup5 said:
Incidentally, I got caught in the new forum rules in NP&E. Hope to get back in within a few weeks, I find it a good distraction from current health.
Yes, I saw that. It seems quite draconian given your mitigating factors (new log in etc).See you soon.
Not sure looking over your shoulder is the right direction. It's a worry though. Nothing you can do about it other than continual checkups. Best of luck.
Just had my first review post treatment, very good news as my PSA has reduced down to 0.4 .
Consultant is pleased with outcome, as am I of course. My next review is six months time but before that I am being booked in for a bone scan. Apparently the treatment can have the effect of reducing bone density, for which medication is available to counteract.
As always the message is to all, make sure you insist upon your prostate cancer checks, it could be a life saver.
Consultant is pleased with outcome, as am I of course. My next review is six months time but before that I am being booked in for a bone scan. Apparently the treatment can have the effect of reducing bone density, for which medication is available to counteract.
As always the message is to all, make sure you insist upon your prostate cancer checks, it could be a life saver.
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