My journey thus far

David (David996 ), good luck with the RT.  I will be 95 when you turn 90.  Best wishes, David

Good luck and best wishes for the RT David

Hello David996 

A warm welcome to our "exclusive club".

All I can say is you have been "through the mill" BUT you look like you have a great team looking after you and as you say "positive thinking" is part of the plan.

I will only be 89 (I hope) on your planned celebrations so do look out for two old guys in the corner with a half pint of something very strong - that will be me and David2017 !! .

On a more serious note (yes we do that stuff too) if you need anything or want any help advice you know where we are - we are a decent bunch!!

Please keep in touch and let us know how the RT/HT/Steroid treatment goes on - we are here for you.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi !

I’m so sorry for your prostate cancer treatment pathway and seems it has been one upphill travel for you. I’m impressed that you seem to be in such positive mood.

Before deciding on prostatectomy, did they even do mpMRi or PSMA Pet Scan? I suppose they did biopsies as they diagnosed you with aggressive PC but I mean, a little more then 6 months and that amount of mets for me sounds like they didn’t do a very good initial diagnos. But perhaps they did

Anyway, I’m soo impressed by your positive thinking and it helps a lot when fighting the prostate cancer ’beast’. So keep fighting and all fingers and toes crossed that you have many good years 

Best wishes - Ulf

Hi Ulf, I had all the scans which diagnosed the cancer as being aggressive.  They gave me the option of radiotherapy or prostatectomy.  It was my choice to have it removed given that it was aggressive; I thought it may prevent a spread but sadly not.

Hi David

I’m sorry your cancer returned so quickly it’s a cruel blow! 
Your attitude is great and I am sure will help you on the journey 

Can I ask what stage your cancer was from the post Prostectomy pathology? Was your Gleason a 9 and did you have a bone scan prior to surgery as it seems the cancer could have been missed pre surgery? 

Best Wishes 

Hi, reading the history of diagnosis that is produced by the oncologist it states: 

Prostate cancer - robotic radical prostatectomy March 2022

Post op histology revealed a Gleason 9 disease pT3b R1 N0

Initially on adjuvant deprivation therapy stopped in January 2022

Rising PSA Post operatively with a value of 0.1 in August 2022

PSA rise to 1.0 in January 2023

PSMA-PET on 30-01-23 : Multiple PSMA avid sclerotic bone metastases involving the pelvis, T4, L4, ribs and the right femoral shaft

Up front chemotherapy Docetaxel

There are another 15 entries showing the history but I hope what I have shown above answers your query.  To be honest I’ve been poked, prodded, injected and feel like I’ve been all over the place so it’s beginning to muddy the waters a little in my brain LOL.

Hi David 

thanks for the info, do you know what they thought your stage was pre op and what is the R1 part of the pathology? 

The reason I ask is that my husband is Gleeson 9 and prior to his RP he was told it was only possible as they don’t suspect the cancer to be spread outside the prostate but a friend of ours has been offered a RP despite being advanced? 

I just wonder if it’s an individual hospitals decision on when surgery is acceptable 

Thanks again 

Hello Annieone 

Your question about surgery and advanced prostate cancer is an interesting one and it's normal NOT to have surgery if it's left the gland. However (and I knew I had read it somewhere) some consultants will take the risk. Here's where I read it.

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/prostatectomy-for-prostate-cancer

I assume as you say - it's up to the Consultant.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Brian

Interestingly it was the same hospital but different surgeon

Also it was advanced spread to the hip but oligometastatic and the surgeon felt there was chance of a cure or at least better outcome by doing RP and treating the met? 

Interesting stuff!