My dad had prostate cancer about 7 years ago, treated with hormone and radiotherapy and PSA has stayed undetectable.
Despite that, he had a few urinary tract issues and back in late August he required bilateral nephrostomies due to hydronephrosis. A CT scan showed a large pelvic mass and spinal lesions. Originally, the urology consultant said it could be bladder cancer spread to prostate or vice versa and that we should ‘just let nature take its course’. Following this, he had an appointment at hospital, this time with a different urology consultant, who said it was 99% prostate cancer and decided to start hormone therapy, do biopsies, a TURP etc. After feeling quite hopeful over this turnaround, the next day, the palliative care consultant came and signed a DS1500 (life expectancy of less than 6 months) and started talking about hospices etc. She also said he was at risk of spinal cord compression.
Throughout this whole time, my dad has not seen or spoken with an oncologist. The urology consultant sent a letter to the oncologist (with us copied in) telling him of the plan for biopsies etc and asked if he could see my dad, but we’ve heard nothing from oncology and the biopsies were carried out last week.
Yesterday my dad received an appointment letter for a spinal MRI on Jan 1st. NHS guidance is for this to be carried out within a week of spinal lesion detection, but as with everything, it seems like nobody knows what’s going on or who is dealing with what and it’s all taking so long.
He’s had terrible symptoms such as persistent vomiting, severe anaemia, unable to eat due to extreme dry mouth and we spend most of our chasing up the palliative care team, the hospital or the district nurses, just trying to get him some help. I’ve worked in pharmacy for 25 years - many of which were in oncology/haematology (different hospital) and I am appalled by the treatment (lack of) he’s received. I’ve complained to PAL/ numerous times, just to get basic information and semi-decent care.
Has anyone else gone through this - 3 months after being told you have advanced cancer - and not had any contact with an oncologist at all?
Sums it up very well
Good Afternoon AM123
When my oncology appointment was missed (hence 11 months with a catheter and 12 months before radiology) I had meetings in person with the Consultants from both Oncology and Urology at their request. They both apologised for the error, asked if I wanted to complain, and did confirm the delay had not impacted my treatment!! (My catheter was my best friend by this time 
!!). Anyway I said no the NHS have too many complaints without mine - however - your case is different. I would want heads to roll and soon.
Merry Christmas to One and All - Regards - Brian.
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