Thoughts on current treatment

[sbmurray]

I am 58 yrs old with advanced PC. Had RP July 16. Gleason score 4 +5. Had 3 mos of radiation. I have mets to lymph nodes. Currently on Lupron and Zytiga. Is there anything else I should be taking or doing. Next PSA Dec 26, 2017.

[Dr_WHO]

Welcome to the group. Your diagnoses is almost the same as mine. They found it when I was 58. Gleason 4+4, Ductal (rare and harder to treat, T3N1 with pelvic lymph nodes involvement. Like you I had 38 rounds of radiation and I am currently on Lupron and Zytiga.

The main difference is that I argued with the surgeon to operate and remove both the prostate and pelvic lymph nodes. Recent results have indicated positive results with surgery even when it has migrated to the pelvic area.

Otherwise your treatment is state of the art. The use of Zytiga with Lupron just came out this summer.

Let’s hope for a very, very low PSA reading on the 26th!

[sbmurray in reply to Dr_WHO]

Thanks for the info. I'm glad I'm on the right track. It definitely helps to know that I'm not alone going through this. Thanks again!

[AlanMeyer]

I generally agree with Dr_Who. You're getting good, aggressive treatment.

One thing you can do that most of us think will help, and most doctors think so too, is to attend to your diet and exercise. If you're overweight, lose the extra pounds. Exercise, both to stay in shape and to counteract the negative effects of the hormone therapies.

There are specific foods, supplements, and vitamins that are thought to be of help. Other guys on this forum know more about that than I do and you can get knowledgeable advice by searching the forum (use the search oval on the upper right) and search for: Foods Supplements Vitamins. You'll see a ton of postings from our resident expert, Patrick O'Shea. A search on Diet will also get useful results.

Treatment has really advanced quite a lot in the last 15 years, and is continuing to advance even faster. I think your prospects are very respectable for living into old age.

Best of luck with your upcoming PSA, and with the battle in general.

Alan

[sbmurray]

Really glad to hear that there is a possibility of living to old age. I have been wondering about that lately. I am definitely overweight so I'll look into the diet/supplements and try to start exercising. Appreciate the response.

[Chiquis]

Hi sbmurry,

My husband was diagnosed November 2010 PSA 6.4 Gleason 3+4

Had Prostatectomy February 2011 positive margins

Had radiation 2014 due to rising PSA of 0.5

July 2017 PSA 8.7 his cancer is intermediate risk.

2 lymph nodes in pelvic area.

September he started Firmagon, Zytga, and prednisone.

Dec 12, he switched to Lupron insted of Firmagon PSA is 0.1

So far so good. I hope the best for your next PSA on Dec 26.

My husband is also 58.

I hope this helps.

[Apollo123]

Hi I’m 47 and was diagnosed with exactly the same as you Gleason 9 and lymph node. I’m on Zytiga with Zoladex and prednisone. I’m feeling great apart from fatigue which hits me sporadically. I feel much more confident about the future and as I’ve said before I met a man in Velindre my cancer Center who was 16 years with Lymph involvement in chest and pelvis, Be glad they found it as you are having aggressive treatment and have many years to look forward to. We are all here fighting the same battle and I’m determined to get to 86. 👍

[Apollo123 in reply to Apollo123]

Forgot to say the man above is still alive and doing well! I keep trying to see him again as I promised to get a more comprehensive treatment plan from him or encourage him to post on here. He was very inspirational both with his story and mental positivity👍