Husband recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Prostate Cancer.

Hello TJM , we are going through very similar.

My other half had a radical Radiatotheropy  in 2019, 

diagnosed just before christmas with stage 4, spread to lymph nodes and sacrum(lower spine)

I assume the PET scan is the PSMA scan that uses a tracer injection to target Prostrate  cancer cells and are very accurate and reliable.

My other half has been told 4yrs. This has destroyed us. He was given hope by the oncologist who offered radiotherapy to the tumor in spine and one of the 'active' lymph nodes. The Multidisciplinary team have refused. This must been because they don't think it is worth the treatment.

We are in limbo, no treatment offered by this clinic now as they are referring us to a closer cancer clinic as that one was 3.5 to 4 hrs away and if he was having chemo it would be too much travelling.

He is very very scared of chemo as he has  watched healthy friends with cancer completely knocked out by chemo with reduced quality of life.

I don't how much radiotherapy cost privately but I'm going to look into it. Does anyone in this group know?

So now we are angry , hurt, grieving and hoping something can be done to prolong life.

I feel for all you strong people In this situation 

Hi TJM , sorry to hear

When I was having RT in 2017 my oncologist did say to me that he has patients who have been on HT for many years when all else has failed.

At least when one stops working there are others to try and although I don't know that much about HT I'm sure that new ones pop up every now and then, so still plenty of hope out there

best wishes

Steve

I think that once the PC is in the bones then RT won't cure it and I think it is normally used for pain relief in the bones.

So going private could be a waste of money although a second opinion is never a bad thing, privately, for 200 -300 pounds, just to see what someone else says

Steve

A 2nd opinion is a very good idea. The radiotherapy this time was never a cure, I was hoping it extends the time before the tumor affects the nerves , bladder/bowel. And caused worse  pain and risk of SCC. That would destroy him and I truly believe he would "give up"or have his own exit strategy if it got to that .

The results of the PSMA scan are conclusive but another opinion on treatment options would be good, although would still have to go through  the MDT

Thanks for the suggestion, 

Don't think u need to go thru MDT if going private, u will need copies of scans or at least scan reports and any other bits of paperwork that would give info to the private specialist, hopefully u may already have some paperwork.

Hi,

My husband (78) was diagnosed with advanced Grade 4 with mets in the sternum, ribs and thighs. He has only been offered HT and seems to be doing quite well, now 18 months down the line. He doesn't have any pains which could be attributed to the cancer but does have other health problems. I did ask his oncology nurse to ask his consultant for a prognosis and he just said it could be years. I was told that the treatment can reduce the lesions as well as the cancer in the prostate. Not sure if this is true but apart from the incontinence problems, he does seem to be doing well physically albeit fatigued, which is normal with HT. I have said many times on this forum, it is the mood swings that I find hard. One day he is at his lowest ebb and doesn't want to go on and the next day tells me he is getting better .

Best wishes

Gina

We can't afford to go Private , still have huge mortgage and young chlld.  I was wondering if there opinion would offer any alternative suggestions 

Only private for another opinion approx £250

You're right, they might not give an alternative but I had a couple of other opinions and it did help but I didn't use them for treatment.

Other option is to ask your GP for a referral to a different NHs hospital , not sure how happy u are with current one 

Steve 

Ps can't be remember if it was u that I suggested clinical trials last week, if it was, any luck 

Hi Worried Wife,

I am so sorry to hear this. Absolutely heartbreaking and my heart goes out to you both.

We were told early this month it has spread to his ribs but that the growth is very small. They said it can be controlled but not cured. I found that comforting at first but now I dont know what it really means.

Trying to keep positive of course but its a scary place to be.

Send you both lots of healing thoughts xx

Thank you so much Steve.

Best wishes to you