Advanced prostate cancer

User1234 3 days ago

4 replies
181 subscribers
340 views

Hello, I’m new to the forum, my dad has advanced prostate cancer, it’s coming up to 5 years since his diagnosis, he’s on hormone tablets, has had one lot of radio therapy, a year after the radio therapy he managed to urinate without the need of his catheter, however ..

he’s been poorly for the past couple of weeks and hasn’t improved, a few days ago he couldn’t urinate so the nurse came out to insert a catheter, she struggled and was going to send him to hospital but on the last attempt she was successful. My dad’s really unwell, he’s on antibiotics to treat a uti, but the antibiotics aren’t working. My dad’s really tired, no appetite, has lost weight, is sleeping and waking up sweating.
his last blood test in march showed his psa levels were still down. But his doctor has called to say he thinks this is the cancer not a uti.

im basically on here for some advice, if anyone has any knowledge and can prepare me for what’s happening thank you xx

Alwayshope 2 days ago

Hello User1234 and welcome. My husband was diagnosed with advanced metastatic prostate cancer in July 2020 and we have had many ups and downs in dealing with it. A recurrence is usually determined after a rise in PSA and then scans to find out where the cancer is located. This can then determine what type of treatment is called for taking in to account previous treatment and the health of the patient and any co morbidities. There is a specialist scan called a PSMA PET scan which is very sensitive but it does need a PSA of over 0.2 but preferably above 0.5. In your situation I would ask for a urine screen with antibiotic challenge to check whether it is a UTI which is causing a problem and if it is then which antibiotics would be most effective. Also a full blood screen to check kidney, thyroid and liver function. I would also speak to your father's CNS and try to see an oncologist as a change in hormone treatment might be suitable but more importantly to find out if it is actually the cancer which is causing the problems.

Treatment of advanced prostate cancer has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years so stay positive.

Ask whatever you like and we will try and help.

BW 2 days ago

Hi User1234

Great advice from Alwayshope, I just have a small add on as my OH had a large amount of RT and we were told that it is highly likely that he will need a TURP at some point in the future because of the internal scaring tightening and interfering with the “flow” could be something ?

Best wishes L

Millibob 2 days ago

Hello again User1234

Another welcome to our little part of the Community - when I read your post the thought of BW ran through my mind as I had "flow" issues so had a catheter and a TURP operation.

Details of the TURP are here.

NHS - The TURP Operation.

I do hope this helps.

Best wishes - Brian.

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BW 2 days ago in reply to BW

Hi again,

I've just remembered, it's called a "Urethral Stricture" ? I think . I'm not 100% sure that a TURP is the cure, but it's certainly some sort of procedure that cut's away the scaring and releases the tightening around the urethra. It can happen years after RT treatment.

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