Am I on track?

[StuartS]

Living in UK. After a MRI fusion guided biopsy..., (12 core samples..., 1 left side - no cancer, 3 right side - no cancer. Three selected targets - T1 - 4 samples - 1 cancer; T2 - 1 sample - no cancer; T3 - 3 samples - 3 cancers. Gleason 3+4 = 7. Noted as Grade 2 with Stage Rating T3a - N0 M0. Additional scans included 2 x mpMRI scans..., one body scan and an x-ray to check a spine anomaly - however, no other issues noted.

I commenced Hormone therapy Bicalutamide tabs 50mg, mid December for 3 weeks, and had my first (one month dose) of Leuprorelin (L) 3.75mg on 28th Dec 18. Received second L injection on 25th Jan 19 which was a 3 month dose.

My PSA had steadily increased from 24.6 in April 18 to 33.2 Dec 18 immediately prior to first L injection. At a meeting with medical team yesterday 20 Feb, they advised that my PSA level has now reduced to 3.1, which clearly is good news, and that they expect it to reduce further before my next L injection scheduled for May 19.

Next meeting is with RO in 3 weeks to discuss radiotherapy program which we hope to commence sometime in March/April, depending on PSA level.

Question..., whilst I appreciate everyone is different and treatment outcome varies, can I consider myself generally on track with this course of treatment?

Comments/pointers appreciated.

[Tall_Allen]

With your elevated PSA and T3a stage, you are considered high risk for recurrence after treatment. The kind of therapy with the best track record for high risk is brachy boost therapy - external beam to the whole pelvic area + a brachytherapy boost to the prostate. It has much better results than external beam alone. The downside is that it can cause late term urinary retention.

pcnrv.blogspot.com/2017/03/...

There is another kind of brachytherapy that can be used to boost with, called high dose rate brachytherapy. But it is hard to find expert practitioners. Peter Hoskin at Mt Vernon Cancer Centre in Northwood, UK is one of the best.

[StuartS in reply to Tall_Allen]

Many thanks tall Allen for your informative response. The link is extremely useful and I will discuss ongoing treatment with my RO at my next meeting.

[j-o-h-n]

Greeting StuartS, thanks for all your information. Would you be kind enough to tell us your age? BTW I skimread some of your past posts. How is your Border Collie reacting to you now? He/she was shunning you...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Thursday 02/21/2019 7:20 PM EST

[StuartS in reply to j-o-h-n]

Hi J_O_H_N

Re age...,, I am 4 months short of 72.

Re my Border Collie...; two days after my biopsy I was sitting in the garden and she cautiously approached me tail between her legs in what could only be described as 'testing the waters'. This after many weeks of keeping her distance and only obeying commands reluctantly. She sniffed around me once or twice then very quickly she went into 'great to see you after all these years' mode..., whining, crying and trying to climb up on me...! I can only surmise that either the biopsy triggered something in my body chemistry scent or that my own relief of having completed the biopsy maybe changed my demeanor. Either way, its was a relief to have her back to her old self. We are now out every day rain or shine for a couple of hours hard walking through woods and fields which is keeping me reasonably fit to fight this condition.

"For every obstacle there is a solution...

over, under, around or through"

[j-o-h-n in reply to StuartS]

To StuartS, Thanks for the information.

You'll be 4 months short of 92 when you hear the dog whistle from the Big Guy in the sky...(20 years will go fast, trust me, so make use of them). I am pleased as punch to know that you and your best friend are still best friends. Dogs are wonderful companions, the saying goes "the more I know my dog, the less I like people". I would venture a guess that it was your demeanor that set off your dog, they have a sense that us humans lack. If I had a dog, I would choose a Border Collie. Keep herding my wife so she doesn't shop. (Keep letting your dog walk you).

"For every obstacle there is a solution...

over, under, around or through"

How true.... but which one to choose is my conundrum. Being a Libra my scales are too well balanced to choose one way or the other.

By George! Today is his birthday.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 02/22/2019 2:37 PM ES