My partner was diagnosed three years ago, Gleason 9/10 and PSA 6.5 with Advanced Prostate Cancer as it had just gone into one of the seminal vessels but not lymph nodes. So removal was not an option. He was given radiotherapy and put on Zoladex for two years.. At the outset he was given a bone scan, and a single patch showed up on his rib but the hospital couldn’t decide whether or not it was a met or an anomaly. We took a second opinion from another local hospital who were sceptical about it being a met, but the Consultant then went off sick for 6 months and by the time he came back the Patch seemed to be virtually gone so in the end, no one was clear whether it was the treatment that dissipated it or whether it resolved spontaneously. Three years-later and 18 months off the hormone therapy his PSA went up from unreadable to 1 in 6 months and he was getting twinges in his rib occasionally. A bone scan has showed the isotope uptake on the rib so they have decided it is a met and we are having a ct scan and seeing the Consultant next week. He is also starting hormone therapy immediately after the scan. My partner just wants the rib taken away, completely out of his body and I totally understand that, but I am not sure if that would allow the cancer to proliferate to other areas of the body. I believe targeted radiotherapy may be an option and I have also been looking into ablation, which looks less invasive but quite effective. Also chemo as a combination with either of these treatments. Perhaps then they maybe able to remove the rib when the cells become dormant again. Has anyone got any thoughts on this? I am never sure if the options offered are always based on cost and we would be offered the cheapest option when there maybe something else out there? I feel we have been a bit piggy in the middle between two hospitals for three years and this situation now needs addressing . I should add he is very well and the occasional twinge in his rib is not at the moment an issue really. I am very concerned at this development and am now trying to pick my way through all the information so that I am as well informed as possible for when we see the Consultant on 26th. Any thoughts people? Many thanks in advance
