Recent Diagnosis

Hi Ejl581 and welcome 

Sorry to hear  but do U have any more info regarding location of tumour, perhaps a TNM score.

I am assuming that as PSA not particularly high the cancer is still contained within the gland which is probably the most important point here.

If contained even though a Gleeson 9 on one side still curable, have they talked about treatment yet?

Best wishes 

Steve 

Hi Steve,

Thank you for your reply. No, no further info on tumour location I'm afraid. I wasn't there when my parents took the call and I think they were too overwhelmed to take much in.

As for treatment, the nurse told dad that he'll be starting hormone therapy following by radiotherapy. They did say that if the cancer has spread, chemo will be added to the treatment plan. 

What Grundo says. Could be relatively straightforward EBRT plus continuing HT. At 72 that got me to 76 ok, unfortunately now recurrent so maybe reach grandold age of nearly 80.

More details will inform comments better.

Good luck, Dave 

Thanks Dave. What would the TMN score determine?

and would they have that info at this stage, or will we know that after further tests?

Ok well if u get the chance to interact  with Drs try and find out about tumour location.

They probably need to do further tests to see if spread further, hopefully not especially with that lowish PSA.

It's good that he's going to start on HT because that will stop it from spreading and then Radiotherapy can start.

TNM indicates if spread to nodes (N) or elsewhere IE bones (M).

All the best

Steve 

Cling on to us. That’s what we are here for and it sounds like you need us.

stage bla, gleason bla, it’s all a blur at the beginning but months and years on it becomes clearer.

However, let’s talk about you. Firstly you’re in the right place and we are ready for your questions. There’s a place for your dad’s profile above and to the left, on that green round button with a lovely sofa chair on it. That’s for your anonymous list or timeline or details that you’d like to share so “we” can have an easier time understanding your situation and offering support and guidance as accurately as possible. Better than Dr. Google.

so you’ve used Dr. Google anyway. Well there’s info you’ve read which is pertinent to your pa, but if you want to now know what’s what please ask away.

Don't be afraid to let yourself cry here, we all need it and you’re not immune from it. But take heart, there are many experienced forum members that are in the same boat. So fear not, support and information is on your way.

welcome to this fantastic community of like minded individuals who are willing and able to help you.

Good luck

Hi ejl581,

"9 on the Gleason scale" is certainly NOT bleak. I started with a higher PSA than your Dad (16.6), plus 9 on Gleason. At the start of treatment I was told it was "curable" - with RT followed by 3 years of HT. The 3 years was then quite rapidly reduced to 2 years. For various other reasons I have stopped the HT after 18 months - I have been told by the Urologist/Oncologist that this is "minimal risk". My last PSA (in Dec ) was 0.01.

Don't over worry !

Thank you, I appreciate you taking the time to reply

Glad to have found the forum, it seems like a warm and safe place to be. I'll update my dad's profile as we get more information. 

Do you know whether bone scans take place quite quickly? Just wondering how long until we're given the full picture, but I suppose it'll differ in NHS Trusts. The waiting game is very unpleasant, as I'm sure you'll all agree!

Thank you, that's very reassuring. I think reading how aggressive and likely to spread (on bloody google!) has stuck in my mind, probably too much.

I'm really pleased your treatment has gone so well. Had your cancer spread at all?