Prostate Cancer

Hello Pandax 

Welcome to our club, but I am so sorry to find you here.

Yea dad’s PSA is high but that may be all the fiddling about with the catheter (although I doubt it’s caused all the rise!).

So I started my personal journey with more or less the same issues as dad. Prostate grew, crushed my bladder exit, unable to wee and my bladder crushed my Kidneys! (If you click on my user name or avatar you can read my full journey). The sediment may well be from the kidneys-after I was catheterised it took a week for the kidney debris to clear!

So (we are not medically trained) my personal view is he’s probably got prostate cancer, he probably needs a TURP operation to “shave” his prostate so he can wee properly. Has he had his eGFR (kidney function bloods tested).

I hope this helps - we are here for you - ask any questions, you will get answers. (I may be late replying as I am on holiday ).

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Pandax

Sorry to hear , there's a lot going on with different issues.

The only thing I would add, as Brian has covered it all really,  is that important to have a MRI which should show if any  cancer is within the prostate gland.

If something does show up then a biopsy would probably be needed 

Best wishes 

Steve 

Thank you for your reply.

Its all come as a shock if im honest.

Initially we were told may be an enlarged prostate but this was before PSA test.

Hes had a FBC, PSA test, Urine test and DRE so far.

DRE reported 'large smooth prostate' but prior to PSA test.

They said last bloods his kidney function is down since blood test a week before.

Hes had the current catheter in for almost 2 weeks now, but urine has huge amounts of sediment, more than his first catheter and appears to be constant.

Weve been told Urology will make contact within 7 days, but will chase Monday.

What do we need to push for first, MRI?

The doctor at A&E has said things havent be handled as they should of been, saying cancer 2ww pathway should of happended sooner.

Weve been blood catheter likely to block again, and to return but worried because last time they were planning to keep him, only agreed to discharge after urology agreed to see urgently.

He has had discomfort in genital area for months he has told me when we were at hospital

Thank you for your reply, will push for this next week as seems they are lacking updates of next steps so far 

Hello Pandax

sorry to hear about your Dad’s health problems. I guess he’s feeling pretty fed up right now.

So, please note that I am not a medical doctor but I was a registered nurse working with patients with kidney problems. I have been retired for 10 years and so don’t have up to date medical knowledge.

as Brian has said, an enlarged prostate ( whether just because of older age or because of cancer) can block the tube ( urethra) that normally drains urine from the bladder. As a result the urine backs up into the kidneys and starts to stop them functioning properly. The kidney does a lot of things - eg clears excess fluid and toxins and waste products from the body. When they don’t function properly lots of things go out of balance in the body and the results can be anaemia, tiredness and lethargy, itching, swelling of ankles , yellowing of the skin, deranged blood chemistry etc etc etc. The aim is to stop the kidneys being further damaged and hopefully recover ie, in your Dads case, stopping the urine backing up by passing a catheter

Doctors reach a diagnosis by finding causes and eliminating possible diagnoses. So, with a positive FIT test, impaired kidney function and urinary retention with raised PSA , they now may need to do some invasive tests to get to the bottom ( pardon the pun) of what is causing your Dads problems so they can give him the correct and best treatment.

the positive side of all this is that if it is prostate cancer causing his problems, it is an eminently manageable cancer even if it has progressed to being at a non curable stage. The doctors have a whole armoury of drugs to help .

 If there is a suspicion of prostate cancer the pathway to diagnosis is PSA test > MRI scan if anything suspicious  > biopsy if cancerous cells found > more scans to see if there are any secondaries ( metastases).. I am not sure whether an MRI scan would show or exclude all potential causes of the positive FIT test. Normally the positive FIT test would be followed up by colonoscopy - I think - but i am not a bowel expert! 

my concern is that your Dad might not understand the need for some tests which he might find invasive and uncomfortable as he refused tests for the positive FIT test. Nobody can do these tests without his consent.

I do hope that this has helped and that all goes well for your Dad. Do ask any question on this forum as there is a wealth of experience here but note that we are not doctors ourselves and our experience has been gained by treading this rocky path that prostate cancer has provided for us and sharing it here.

best of luck!

Hello Pandax 

Well that's a cracking reply from Worriedwife and I think it answers most of your questions.

On any cancer journey you need to advocate for yourself and be pro-active. I would start by making a note of the name, 'phone number and e-mail address of everyone who deals with dad and who/what they are. My next step would be to contact Urology and ask them what the plan is as the cancer pathway has started.

It may well be worth contacting your hospital PALS (PASS in Scotland) (Patient Advisory and Liaison Service) department to see if the can get things moving. 

Stick with us - ask any questions you have and we will try and help.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi all,

Many thanks for all the comments and advice so far, ive had to make a new account as for some reason cant log in and reset doesn't work.

I'm after some more knowledge if possible.

Catheter hasn't blocked since after using a much larger non standard size 18c type.

However, we saw a Urology consultant last week, initially he was saying my Dad is 80, what do you expect and he didnt think his PSA level being high was cancer.

However, within 5 minutes this changed.

The consultant carried out a DRE and soon as he did it, he sat down and said 'sorry, I think I may have been blunt. Dad needs an emergency MRI scan, as his prostate is very large, lumpy and solid, I think its suspicious and most likely cancer'.

He was MRI'd within 24 hours, is that bad news?

Anyway after the scan, we were told id be phoned within 2-6 weeks with results.

However, less than 6 days since his MRI scan, ive been contacted by the hospital, in Urology and a urgent appointment for Friday morning is arranged where I am told a consultant is going to telephone me to discuss the findings. I asked can you tell me is it good or bad, she said I cant even if I look at the MRI scan im not a doctor, so cant read or interpret it.

Is it sounding like its probably cancer?

Dad is losing weight, there's a small improvement but then it drops, his bowels are very loose and he is sleeping more and more.

Bloods done last week showed Kidney function is down 

His eGFR >90: Normal

Urine albumin:creatinine ratio: 127.1 mg/mole

Can anyone have any suggestions as to what its likely going on? I just need to prepare myself for what might be coming.

Thank you

Hello Pandaxxd5f850 

I will stand by my original post as that's how I arrived at this particular club.

You will have some answers on Friday morning so I suggest you have someone with you. Have the telephone on speaker and record the call if you can.

Here's a list of questions you might want to ask - pick out the ones important to you and dad.

Questions to ask your Healthcare Team.

Good luck for Friday - please do let us know how you get on.

Best wishes - Brian.

Feeling.... numb... hurt.... empty.... dont know anymore 

Consultant has spoken to me

Dad has prostate cancer,  right side prostate with MRI images showing its started to break outside the prostate now... MRI images arent clear enough to show if its spread but its advanced from what PSA levels and imaging shows.

Forgot to ask a lot after being told, via phone

They wont give him radiotherapy or hormone blockers due to his dementia, it will worsen his dementia, so refusal to offer it.

Biopsy isnt an option due to risk of infection that would cause him more problems

Catheter will need to remain indefinite 

Informed to keep watch as likely area it will spread first is pelvis and back.

Also told me I am now high risk and to get my PSA levels tested regularly and any siblings. 

Dad is losing weight so highly likely its advanced and I think spread, he keeps coughing...

What can I ask or do from any of you now?

Life's over for me, i know whats coming

Prognosis 5 years or less, but dependant how advanced already and how aggressive the cancer is

I am sorry to you all, and you millibob 

I dont know what else to say or do...

Hello Pandaxxd5f850 

I am so sorry to read your news - it's not good but with all dad's other conditions the reasons for not treating the Prostate Cancer are pretty clear - it's to keep his quality of life as good as possible.

There will always be support available and if you need any help with the catheter, give me a shout - I had my own for over 10 months!

Pandaxxd5f850 said:

Life's over for me, i know whats coming

Whilst your chances of having Prostate Cancer are enhanced, it's not given that you will get it. you need to be tested on a regular basis and if it's caught early enough - well it's very treatable.

Two thing I would do - see if there's a "Maggies" near you - this is a cancer charity and they can help both of you - here's the link you need - Maggie's. The second thing I would do is give our Support Line a call on 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8pm 7 days a week) - They will be able to offer you plenty of support.

We are all here for you - stick with us vent if you need to (it's better to vent here than with your family) and ask any questions - even if you just want a chat. It's a hard journey but no one fights this alone.

Best wishes - Brian.