Terrified for my dad

Hello Sophiejade, with regard to Google it probably isn't the place to visit as when you put in symptoms you can get the answer either trivial or horrible. Best to wait and get the outcomes from the Urologist and if referred the Oncologist. I myself in 2018 had a digital examination and mri scan and was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate. Psa tests remained high ranging from 9.7 to 13.31 but then covid came appts. cancelled. Finally earlier this year mri scan, then biopsies. Diagnosed with advanced cancer which had spread to seminal vessels. Bone scan showed lesions in right hip. My Oncologist copies all his findings from appts. /tests in letters to me as well as my G. P.

Hope you can get some answers for your Dad when all his tests are done.

With best wishes, Graham. 

Thank you so much for your reply Graham and am sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Do you mind me asking what your treatment options are and what you've decided to do? Sorry if that's too personal!

Thank you 

Hi SJ 

Sorry to hear about your dad but there's still plenty of hope for him.

Do u have any PSA figures available.

The MRI shows a mass but without a biopsy not clearcut.

Do u know what size the mass is supposed to be, a copy of the MRI should tell u that 

At  this stage impossible to say if cancer or not.

Probably the most important point here is that if any cancer is contained within the gland together with a lowish PSA potentially means that it is curable.

So by checking on the MRI report and looking at PSA could give u some comfort in the interim knowing  that biopsy results are a few weeks away.

Come back any time with more question

Best wishes

Steve

Hi Steve, 

Unfortunately no stats or numbers were given, it was all a bit vague, but I will certainly try and see if I can get hold of the info. 

The only information that we were given was that the mass size was on the larger side and that they want to do a biopsy to see what they're dealing with. Think they also suggested another scan to see if there's anything else going on.

Apparently my dad doesn't suffer with frequent peeing in the night (nocturia?) it's just the urgency and sometimes feels like he still needs to go once he's been.

Obviously praying it's benign, or that it's locally advanced at worst case scenario. Thank you both so much for your replies x 

There's not much in the info that u have given that would say that it's locally advanced, Fingers crossed that it's contained  within the gland, that is if it is Cancer.

S

Hi Sophiejade89

This is a good place to tell us of your problems, we’re not doctors, but have been through many stages of PC from the low to the incurable, which I am. I can understand your feelings, it’s your dad, you want to know asap then what can be done. Until they do a blood test for his PSA and a biopsy see if it is PC or something else. Worrying is part of the process everyone go’s through, be patient and stay strong, whatever the outcome, his wife and you and other family members will be there for him.

Stay safe

Joe

Thank you Joe :)

He's already had the psa test but we weren't told what the levels were. Going to see if we can get a copy of this to see, although I'm not sure if that will ease my worry or make it worse!

The waiting is just torture but trying to stay as positive as my brain will let me! 

Hello again Sophiejade, (re the options) 

                                         When I was diagnosed the Urologist said I could either have surgery or radiotherapy but would need a bone scan. As mentioned my bone scan showed lesions on my ileac bone so the only option I was informed was radiotherapy, Prostap monthly injections and palliative radiotherapy to the lesions. Oncolgist has said chemotherapy in the new year. Am also on the Stampede trial and taking Metformin to hopefully reduce the risk of diabetes (from the Prostap hormone injections).

Regards, Graham. 

Hi sophiejade

I always ask the hospital to send me all paperwork, also to my doctor, it just keeps a file of everything that’s going on. I know it’s hard, have a glass of your favourite tipple be it alcohol or tea/coffee put your favourite program on be it a dvd or whatever and just feet up and relax.

Stay safe

Joe

Hi Steve, 

Sorry for the random reply but just found a letter from my dad's hospital with some more info (still awaiting biopsy on Friday) but:

PSA 6.8, T3a P5 lesion left apex of PZ (33mm).

So now I know t3a is potentially locally advanced cancer, but psa didn't seem as high as I thought it would be. Finding it hard to find info on average P5 tumour sizes, 33mm sounds massive!!