Dads joirney

Hi Becky

It's a worrying time for both of you. 

Your Dad's stats are very similar to mine - my PSA was 18 and T4. I guess the consultant reviewed the scan data, after speaking with you, and decided that there was a possibility it had got into the lymph glands. I feel that it's better to say this, and be wrong, rather than the other way round.  With me it was the lymph and possible seminal vesticles.

Has your Dad had a bone scan?

If the PC has escaped into the lymph glands then radiotherapy can soak it up.

Let us know the results of the MDT meeting where they will decide the best course of treatment.

Regards

Stuart

Thank you so much for the reply. Yes, he had had a bone scan which was conducted the week after his consultant appointment. We have no further detail on this. 

I will let you know what we hear from the consultant. I really appreciate you coming back to me with your input. It’s tough as unfortunately I have no positive experiences of people who have had cancer and survived close of me. I need to the and think positive!!

Hi Becky 

Possible T3a means broken through capsule edge , hopefully not affected the lymph nodes. T3a doesn't indicate that. Still potentially curable.

Hopefully good news when further test results in 

Best wishes

Steve

Hi Becky

like me you are a daughter and it wouldn’t be normal not to have all the feelings you currently do 

My only advice is ask questions and if you are confused asking more questions and don’t let everything with your dad be cancer related 

my dads 90 with extensive bone spread and a PSA at its highest of close to 400,  last month was 96 (12.5 at start of covid) unfortunately covid and not being able to get a face to face appointment meant it had spread throughout bones before they realised and changed treatment 

always here to 

Prostate cancer, like most, is pretty awful, and the treatment is no picnic. But one thing it has in its favour is that it is relatively slow, at least at first. With a T3a, he has already had cancer for years, but could have many years ahead of him: he is more likely to die of something else than from the PCa.

But the devil is in the detail: T3aN0M0 is always considered 'curable', though that's no guarantee, but the nodes - if confirmed - could reduce treatment options, but even so, we're still talking years.

Hang in there for the MDT, and see what's on the table.

Hello Becky

News of any kind involving the C word, is always frightening, the good thing is once he’s gone through all his tests, then a plan is put forward for his treatment. This may take a few weeks, but don’t worry PC moves very slowly, he will probably start with hormone therapy, but I’m no doctor we are all different.

They can never see the whole picture until scans and biopsy is done, all this helps to treating your dad, he will be worried, but just be there for him, if you go with him to consultations make sure they tell you what will happen p, have questions ready, two people are better than one, just be positive it’s half the battle.

Stay safe

Joe

Hi Becky.

I was diagnosed with T3AN0M0 at the age of 71 in 2018. Your Dad seems to have been very lucky with the speed of his diagnosis. I was over seven months between first referral by the GP and starting treatment; a process which is supposed to take no more then 62 days!

Anyway, I have had three years of Hormone treatment with my last injection in June this year and had 20 sessions of radiotherapy in February and March 2019. My PSA has been undetectable since a month or so after finishing the RT. My next PSA test isn't until early December when I'll be more confident that the treatment has worked.

The side effects of radiotherapy are minimal and the side effects of hormone treatment are easily manageable for most men.

Good luck with your Dad's diagnosis and let us know if there's anything else we can help with.  

Hi all,

As a quick update. Dad went for his biopsy today but unfortunately no one was allowed in with him. When he came home, he said the doctor had said the likelihood is the cancer has spread outside the capsule into his nodes - I assume the doctor has more info then we have been privy to. It’s a little frustrating how you get snippets each time but nothing conclusive however at least Dad is aware of the potential outcome?! 

We have 12-14 days to wait for his follow up - I have been upset tonight with the what ifs/negative thoughts but have pulled myself together and am waiting for the next bit of news. 

I am in awe of how strong people are when faced with this awful illness. X

Seamus, not meaning to be picky, but how long after referral did your hormone treatment start, because that counts too!

I'm sure it seams like forever, but most of the tests appear to have been done - just the biopsy result to the multi-disciplinary meeting, and things will look much, much clearer.