Help me understand: My husband got his... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

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Help me understand

Grace331 profile image
14 Replies

My husband got his PET scan last Thursday. No bone mets! However the prostate cancer is pushing on the bladder which is causing hydronephrosis in both kidneys (I'm a visual person and this is beyond my comprehension, is that a really big tumor? Or does it not take a lot?). He had 45 radiation treatments from September-November of 2017 and on 6month lupron.

Has the cancer been growing the entire time? How after radiation is it so big? Is there any way to shrink it? The urologist does not want to operate.

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Grace331 profile image
Grace331
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14 Replies
Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen

Are they able to biopsy the cancer on the bladder? Some types (e.g., urothelial) are radio and chemo resistant.

Grace331 profile image
Grace331 in reply to Tall_Allen

I have sent the report to the urologist. He is willing to biopsy the cancer at the bladder. I will ask about this and do some research on this type of cancer. Thanks for your reply Allen.

Hirsch profile image
Hirsch

Sounds like a location issue. Tumor probably infringing on the area in the bladder where the ureters are attempting to drain into the bladder. I would suspect that the urologist could try scoping him in his office to visualize this. Good luck.

Grace331 profile image
Grace331 in reply to Hirsch

The urologist has taken a look and it's pretty messy in there for sure! He has one kidney stent already. We'll see what they can do when they replace that. I'm not a fan of the waiting game. Thanks for your reply!

Dayatatime profile image
Dayatatime

When I was first diagnosed the tumor on my prostate was pushing into my bladder and my local team would not touch it. After 6 months of ADT and 6 rounds of docetaxel it shrunk it down to one third of original size. Local team still not keen on localized treatment so sought another opinion at Mayo Clinic and they didn't hesitate. The surgeon I worked with (Jeffrey Karnes) is outstanding and specializes in both prostate and bladder cancer and I highly recommend him.

Grace331 profile image
Grace331 in reply to Dayatatime

Thanks for the reply! We are seeking another surgeon. I'll look at Dr. Karnes info.

Dayatatime profile image
Dayatatime in reply to Grace331

He will be found in the Urology Department

Gudgelm profile image
Gudgelm

I agree with Dayatatime. Karnes specializes is that type of surgery. I'm alive because of his great work.

Brightman profile image
Brightman

Radiation on the prostate cancer cause scarring which can press on the bladder and uretha. This was discovered with me after I had a hip replacement. The surgeon could not fit a catheter. Luckily a urologist was operating that afternoon and between other patients, saw me and inserted a camera which showed the scarring and the restriction preventing me from urinating. So after inserting two different wires was able to to successfully insert a catheter. He has referred me to my own urologist to have a small operation to overcome the restriction, after I have recovered from my hip surgery. I have had increased urgency and frequency since radiation and chemo, even though I had a TURP before me PCa diagnosis.

BigRich profile image
BigRich in reply to Brightman

Did you have the operation for the restriction in the uretha? How has it been?

Rich

Brightman profile image
Brightman in reply to BigRich

The surgeon doesn’t want me to have the operation until 3 months after my hip replacement in fear of an infection affecting my hip. So it won’t be until late October. Will post what happens after that.

BigRich profile image
BigRich in reply to Brightman

Good Luck on the operation.

Rich

BigRich profile image
BigRich

Good Luck!!

Rich

larry_dammit profile image
larry_dammit

Time to go to a urologist for a opinion, it does sound like he is being under treated. But a cancer doctor can tell you for sure.

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