Possible treatment for T3a

Hi SJ 

33mm does seem a bit high, could be worth double checking that.

As the tumour has just escaped the gland treatment would most likely be hormone therapy and Radiotherapy.

Maybe he's already on hormones?

Potentially still curable.

Regards

Steve

Thanks Steve, I did just read online that the doctors will often give a "roundabout" size of the tumour if its irregular in shape, so not necessarily 33mm in diameter. 

Sophiejade89 I was 71 when diagnosed in 2018 with T3A N0 M0, Gleason 4+5=9 and a PSA of 15. I was offered a choice of surgery or HT/RT. I opted for the latter as I am very active and was advised that surgery could lead to stress incontinence when exercising.

I had 3 years of Prostap injections and 20 sessions of RT in Feb/Mar 2019. It took about six months following the radiotherapy to get back to full fitness, but I am now 74 and swimming a mile twice a week, rowing as often as the wind and tides allow and walking about 30 miles a month.

I had my last Prostap injection in June and am still waiting for the result of my latest PSA test which was done on December 1st.

For the last 4 years, I have had prostate cancer and small penis. I urinate very frequently, with a gap of every 30 minutes. But thanks God not during nights. It was as if my Penis is all dead. I been on treatment for 4 year now. using Prostap injections and 20 sessions of RT. It took about a year following the radiotherapy and treatment to get back to fitness again. my body is never the same since I got diagnosed, this is causing me depression. All treatment are not working to my satisfaction I don't want surgery as an option. 

Thanks Seamus! That's very helpful.

And impressive you're doing all that exercise now! Puts even me to shame. I must get my dad exercising more, he walks the dogs and is always pottering about in his man shed (ex carpenter haha ) but I think swimming would be really good for him in general, he's 5'10 and 15 stone so does need to lose some weight!!

Especially as I've heard the radiotherapy can take it out of you and make some people feel exhausted. 

(and fingers crossed for you that your PSA level is now in a good range!)

X

Hi, I was diagnosed in 2018 at the age of 72 having had a stroke the previous year and being on medication for blood pressure after a triple by- pass. I was T3a with a PSA 11 and a Gleason of 8.Although a smaller tumor I was put on Hormone Therapy for 3 years and had 20 sessions of Radio Therapy. So I don't think the medication makes any difference to treatment offered.

 Good luck with the treatment  Regards Reg

Sophiejade89 He will gain weight (especially around the waist) from HT so it's probably a good time to lose some now. He should try to keep a steady weight when having RT as it helps the radiologists to target the cancer more accurately.

After 3 years of HT my weight had gone up from 78kg to 84kg and I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in August this year. Since then, by cutting out cakes, biscuits etc. (basically anything with sugar in it) and eating smaller portions I had managed to get down to 77.4kg. I have put some back on over Christmas but am starting the diet again today!

Many doctors are not aware of the link between the HT drugs and raised blood sugar so that is something to bear in mind. Cyproterone Acetate is commonly used to treat the hot flushes from HT and is another drug that can cause raised blood sugar. Having type 2 diabetes is manageable with diet and is better than the alternative of not having the HT.

Please come back and ask any questions you might have, someone on here will have been there and will be able to give you an answer.

Best wishes for 2022 and here's hoping for a successful treatment path for your Dad.

I've just relayed all this info to my mum (my dad doesn't really want to talk about it yet until all results are in) but my mum wants to thank you for all of your helpful input, as do I!

My dad actually was borderline diabetic but recent blood tests etc show that this is OK now, so we will be very mindful of this if HT is an option, as he was borderline diabetic for a while! To be honest, I blame my mums obsession with baking ;D