Probable' PSMA PET scan - what will decide?

HT comes with its own side effects,  hot flushes,  mood swings and weight gain. Didn't improve my original symptoms of needing toilet several times during in night and urgency in day times. 

In my case they found a suspect mass on MRI scan and I went for a biopsy.  Once the biopsy was confirmed to be cancer then I had the PET scan.  They put me on the surgery waiting list at the same time as they booked the PET scan.  Something went a little wrong as I was originally told the scan would be in two weeks but it was five weeks.  By the time I had the scan I already had an op date.  As I understood it, the PET scan was to look for spread and the surgery would go ahead even if spread was identified.  I literally got my PET scan results a week or so before the op.

I was never offered HT as I have another condition that would be made worse by HT.

Hello Dogs4me 

The biopsy will give you his Gleason Score and Staging.  This along with the MRI are the gold standard for making the MDT recommendations for treatment. I can only think that the PET Scan will be to double check that there is no spread outside the Prostate Wall.

If his choices are Surgery or HT/RT if he opts for surgery then no they will not put him on HT. (HT will not relieve any symptoms it just stops the cancer from growing by removing his testosterone).

If his symptoms are having issues with urination he needs to speak to his team - there is medication that can help here.

i hope this helps.

Best wishes - Brian.

Thank you

Thank you again . I will make sure we ask about something for the symptoms when he goes for the biopsy.  

My concern is if he were to go for surgery and there is several week's wait , or even months, then things could be worsening ....

Hi Dogs4me , PCa is very slow growing and generally a few weeks doesn’t make any difference.  Once the biopsy is out of the way a treatment plan can be made and HT or surgery are normally fairly soon after that.  It might be worth thinking which route you would go, so once a choice is offered you are ready to get on with things.  David

Hello Dogs4me 

Prostate cancer is slow growing and although it's lying on the gland edge it's not broken through.

If you are thinking of treatments and hes going to be offered surgery or HT/RT you need to be making a list of the pros and cons of each treatment as to how they would affect BOTH of you. Whilst it's his choice it will affect both of you.

Best wishes - Brian.

I do get your point especially as quite a large tumour.

And u don't know the Gleeson....yet.

Wait for the biopsy result and then consider but if Gleeson medium + aggressiveness possibly consider HT and RT , HT to quieten it down and gives u a bit more time.

Just  my opinion by the way, doesn't mean the right thing to do necessarily.

Best wishes 

Steve 

Thank you Steve. I realise that ultimately it is LH's choice but I want to get as much info and opinions as I can so that he can make an informed choice if indeed he is given one. He will just go along with whatever the person he is talking to says otherwise. Your opinion is valued. Thanks again

Thanks again Brian. Are you aware of anywhere that does outline the pros and cons of each. I think his prostate is too large for brachiotherapy? (Sorry about spelling!!)