Recently Diagnosed : Hello All , I am... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

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Recently Diagnosed

18 Replies

Hello All ,

I am recently diagnosed with Prostrate cancer Stage 2, Doctors have said its curable but I am not sure, I am new to this and I am hoping I can be alive for my darling wife and kid. Doctors have asked me to on Medication and also have recommended for injections as well once a quarter to start with. Based on the diagnosis they have mentioned it has not spread into other areas . I went on for a second opinion and they mentioned about possible options of Chemo also . What values of PSA is really serious ? Any help on this is appreciated .

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18 Replies

37 Years old , Male , What is the acceptable value for PSA & Gleason Score ?

Dr_WHO profile image
Dr_WHO

Welcome to the group that no one wants to be in. But you will never find a better group of men and women. It is hard when they tell you that you have cancer. But if you are Stage two that is great news! It means that the cancer is confined in the prostate. It means that YOU CAN BE TOTALY CURED. You asked about PSA levels, that is not really that important as there are men here that have advanced cancer with a PSA less than three. Mine was 4.7 when they found out I had Stage four. What is more important is your Gleason score. Can you share that?

There are two sights that have wonderful booklets dealing with prostate cancer. The first one is fro the Prostate Cancer Foundation. They can be found at

PCF.org

The second one is from the American Cancer Society. Their link is

cancer.org/cancer/prostate-...

To better help you could you please give us as much information as possible? For an example, click on my header.

No two ways about it, cancer sucks. But you are now with brothers and sisters that care for you. You will never be alone again! We are here not only for information but to a shoulder to share your fears. Remember “people like us we have to stick together “!

in reply to Dr_WHO

My G. Score is 2.9

Dr_WHO profile image
Dr_WHO in reply to

It looks like that was your PSA score. Your Gleason score should be a whole number. Gleason scores below 7 mean that the Cancer is not that developed and you can be totally cured. Eight or higher is indication of advanced cancer. Again if the doctor stated you were a Stage two it is still early stage cancer. You can be cured!

in reply to Dr_WHO

I am sorry , Score is 5.2

Dr_WHO profile image
Dr_WHO in reply to

Sorry to say this but Gleason scores have to be whole numbers. It is actually made up of the state of the two largest cancers on a slide. Mine was G4+4=8, or advanced cancer. If your Gleason score was a 5, and let’s hope that it is, then that is very good news for you. It would mean that active surveillance would be a legitimate treatment. Some doctors would not even call it cancer unless your Gleason score is 6 (3+3).

Your Gleason score is important information, even if you do not share it with us. Please ask your urologist to send you your biopsy report or ask him what your Gleason score is.

in reply to Dr_WHO

Team , I was recommended Chemo and I took it . It was a tough one , But I had support , what I have felt is I am becoming tired soon and sleep for a lot of hours .. Loss of appetite is huge . Dont even feel like eating food , I have left all the chemical stuff ( Using NON -GMO Products , Organic , Left Soda ) , I was also given shots for boosting my Blood cells as I was notified that we will loose our good cells when going through Chemo

in reply to Dr_WHO

Dr_WHO : I have been reading a lot of your post , Thanks a lot for your support and contribution . My PSA was is 2.7. My weight has reduced drastically , My weight used to be : 150.79 lbs ( 68.4 kilos ) , now it is 143.96 ( 65.3 kilos ) , is weight reduction so drastic , Also my hair loss is terrible , I am loosing almost 200 to 250 hairs every-time i comb a day ..

in reply to

I am still on : Casodex , Apart from this I am also taking Multi vitamins as well .

Dr_WHO profile image
Dr_WHO in reply to

Hang in there! Hopefully you will get your appetite and hair back now that you are done with chemo. How are you going with Casodex? If you are having issues with Caxodex you could try Lupron and Zytiga together. They work different than Casodex as they stop production of testosterone (cancers food). Casodex works by preventing the cancer cells from absorbing testosterone in the blood.

Again, sorry that you had a hard time with the chemo. Please know that we are all pulling for you!

in reply to Dr_WHO

Honestly , Casodex is the 1st medication that I was given so i am now sure about Zytiga and Lupron , I will ask the Doctor , Based on the personal experience what do you think is the best option ?

Normally how many sessions of Chemo is recommended if you are in Stage 2 . Also is there a time frame we need to wait before sessions , I know insurance is going to give me a hard time , But wanted to know if there isnt a delay its better to do back elsewhere where its cheap and affordable .

Dr_WHO profile image
Dr_WHO in reply to

As a fellow warrior, not a MD, I would look at Lupron and Zytiga. I can not say any comment on low long to be on chemo. Depending on what future scans and PSA levels show you may want to research external radiation.

spinosa profile image
spinosa

Dr. WHO is right - a radical will do the trick. I was diagnosed with stage 2 in 2002 - I had a radical, but the pathologic stage was T3a - capsular penetration... still, I was clear - PSA less than 0.04 for 12 years...and, I had 3 years of slowly rising PSA, sawtoothing between .12 and .18. I hit .2 this December, and have just begun radiation treatment. My radiological oncologist says he fully expects me to be around 15 years hence (we'll see...). So, my situation wasn't perfect, and I've bought time - buy you may be able to be cured...

Thanks Brenda , You are absolutely right , Casodex is what I am on currently and my doctor has also recommended me an injection every 3 months . They have also mentioned that It is not spread to my bones and also mentioned that Chemo is an option .

in reply to

Team , I was recommended Chemo and I took it . It was a tough one , But I had support , what I have felt is I am becoming tired soon and sleep for a lot of hours .. Loss of appetite is huge . Dont even feel like eating food , I have left all the chemical stuff ( Using NON -GMO Products , Organic , Left Soda ) , I was also given shots for boosting my Blood cells as I was notified that we will loose our good cells when going through Chemo

Team , I was recommended Chemo and I took it . It was a tough one , But I had support , what I have felt is I am becoming tired soon and sleep for a lot of hours .. Loss of appetite is huge . Dont even feel like eating food , I have left all the chemical stuff ( Using NON -GMO Products , Organic , Left Soda ) , I was also given shots for boosting my Blood cells as I was notified that we will loose our good cells when going through Chemo

Team , I was recommended Chemo and I took it . It was a tough one , But I had support , what I have felt is I am becoming tired soon and sleep for a lot of hours .. Loss of appetite is huge . Dont even feel like eating food , I have left all the chemical stuff ( Using NON -GMO Products , Organic , Left Soda ) , I was also given shots for boosting my Blood cells as I was notified that we will loose our good cells when going through Chemo

cfrees1 profile image
cfrees1

This thread doesn't make any sense to me. What am I missing? Why would someone diagnosed Stage 2 take Chemo? Justforunidhu, where are you located and who is your doctor? is s/he an oncologist? I would have thought your two paths after the initial hormone injection would have been surgery or radiation. Unless perhaps you were incorrect about your Staging?

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