Prostrate cancer

Hello Arcon - Welcome to the club.

I hope all's well with your results on 3 October - we are going through a run of positive posts so it will be great to add another one to the list.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hello

I would really welcome any comments or replies - Thanks

In December 2021 I was Diagnosed with Advanced Aggressive Prostate Cancer - It was too late for any treatments as the prostate was just a dense tumour by then

So I was offered Hormone Therapy which I have tried 3 times now - 2 Different Treatments Degarelix seems the best but I have Cirrhosis and cant withstand continued Therapy - My Urology Surgeon is pressing for a Bilateral orchidectomy but I am not sure if my Liver could withstand that as it also stops the Testosterone - Would love to get the opinion of a Gastroenterologist as Mine says that it would be fine (But he also said Degarelix would be and I asked for just the 80ml Maintenance Dose not the 240ml initial strength) - Thankfully - However I still had to cancel any ongoing Injections - at the Moment I am having Weekly Bloods and when the PSA rises I have to try another Degarelix - each time my Liver takes longer to recover  (MY GammaGT was over 1400 that's 1400 - it shows basically the overall health of a Liver and should be below 30)

Really need some help

Thanks

Best wishes

Colin

Hello Colin

im sorry to read of both your liver and prostate problems. I am wondering 2 things:

first this is such an important question you are asking, would you get more responses if you repost it as a new thread? I’m sure Brian ( Millibob) our resident community champion might be able to help you with this.

my second thoughts are that this is a question that really needs expert advice.  I did a very brief Google and learned that liver cirrhosis in men can reduce testosterone levels. But my understanding ( not as any medical expert in this) is that the hormone therapy stops the production of testosterone. Bilateral orchidectomy would do the same thing - permanently and for ever.

you mention both a urology consultant and a liver consultant but it seems that they are both talking from their own professional stance without talking together to decide the best way of manage the whole ‘you’ rather than one managing your liver cirrhosis and one managing your prostate cancer?

I am wondering if the MacMillan nurses on this website or your GP might be able to guide you towards how to get the medical advice you need?

im sorry I’ve not been of much assistance but I really understand your dilemma and need for expert advice and did not want your post to be ‘lost’ in this thread or not replied to because people might not know the answers.( who knows, there may be others with the same problem who can tell you about their treatment?)

I do hope you get things sorted and I wish you all the very best.

Hello Colin and a warm welcome.

I don't know where to start with a list of issues you have, it looks at first glance to me that you need a full MDT meeting ti involve both your Urology department and also the Gastro/General department to see what can be done as it's your liver taking the hit for the HT treatment.

A few thoughts come to mind:

* Let's see if any community members can come up with a solution - bearing in mind we are not medically trained and are only going off personal experiances.

* You could use Ask a Nurse to pose your question.

* Our support line on 0808 808 00 00 may be able to offer assistance.

* I would start a new Thread on our Diagnosis and Treatment page this will bring your question to everyone's attention. To do this just click on the black box with +New at the top of the thread.

I hope this helps and you find some answers - keep us posted.

Best wishes - Brian.

Morning WW - I think I was writing my answer just as you were posting so thanks for your suggestions. This one is way above my paygrade but your post is most welcome. I do have access to quite a lot of extra resources but not enough to answer Colin's problems.

Thanks again - Brian.

Great minds think alike, eh, Brian?!!!  
R

Hello arcon, I can't answer your question but just wanted to say hello and welcome 

Hello WWife and Everyone thanks for the Welcome :)

I have sent a message to hopefully a Gastro or Urology Trained member of the Macmillan Team

It is very true my hepatology Consultant doesn't know enough about Urology and the same the other way around - My GP works 2 days a week - Latest Bloods showed I had developed Diabetes so he books a Phone Call for 8 days away (He's just after an easy life)

My Hospice Nurse is great though - she apologised for the urology Surgeon who said "I seem strangely attached to my Testicles" yep I do Physically and Mentally

My biggest problem by far is not having any prognosis - I don't know if I have a week/Month or Year (Just left a message with the urologist Secretary - I love my Garden but don't know if it's worth Planting Bulbs etc

Anyway thanks to everyone again and

Best wishes

Colin

Hello Colin

i hope you can get the information and support you so very obviously need and deserve. Not knowing means a loss of control as you don’t know how to plan - as you so rightly say.

when my husband and I had an oncology consultation I asked the consultant if they would monitor my husbands testosterone levels as well as his PSA following radiation. The consultant said that if, despite hormone therapy, the testosterone level was higher than desired the only option would be for my husband to have his testicles removed. Before even the conversation progresses my husband went as white as a sheet and said , ‘You’re not doing that!’ He declined to have his testosterone levels checked! So, you are not alone in being attached to ‘your bits’!!!