What I’ve been learning lately is leaving me uncertain of my path, both prescribed and my role. I seek the input and experience I know is here, which I’ve been most grateful for.
After having competed a clinical trial in September for my 4+3 with ECE and SVI, 1 lymph node T3B disease after RP in 2019, I am left with questions I no longer am confident I’ll get right answers for.
First, I was let off Eligard at 12 months (the trial originally stipulated 2 years). There had been speculation about shortening that from the beginning so I wasn’t surprised. I know there’s no data for 12 months vs 18 or 2 years so I’m taking my chances there- understood.
The trial was aggressive; ADT, chemo and abiraterone concurrently, followed by IMRT 37 sessions. Since I was recently questioned about the ending the ADT early I got a second opinion, which did little but to confirm that there’s no way to know if a year is gong to be enough or not, but the 2nd doc said he would do the same if he were me. QOL always figures in with ADT of course.
However, I have now discovered that the IMRT I received is inferior, particularly long term , to SBRT and especially brachy boost therapy. I can always get back on ADT drugs, but I can’t go back and do the radiation over.
Add to that the prostatectomy I started all this with, which more than anything else I’ve done I wish I had considered more carefully. I wasn’t given a hard sell by the surgeon by any means; he was very clear that radiation had at least similar efficacy. Like a lot of men though, I ‘wanted it out’.
In retrospect it was almost certainly ill advised with my pathology. It left me heavily incontinent despite the ‘95-98% dry after a year’ claims I received plus a shorter, thinner and so far non functioning penis-which I expected but not to this degree. I know there are good options for the impotence and incontinence, but they will mean at least one more surgery if not 2.
My PSA has been undetectable since the RP in June 19.
I wish there were something I could do to help my chances for a long remission going forward but having been somewhat saturated with treatments in the last 18 months I’m not sure what I could get excited about.
My trial MO gave me a slightly better than 50% chance at a cure from this. I am healthy and happy with no remaining side effects other than from the ADT, which are slowly dissipating at the nearly 5 month off mark.
I’m inclined to just go on and see how I do, but with all I’ve been told and various conflicting information I’m just not sure. I understand it may have been eradicated but I somehow think it unlikely.
I’d be willing to do something to help give myself the best chance for an optimal outcome but can’t imagine what that would be. Perhaps having just finished treatment with a undetectable PSA is not the time to make any decisions .
I’m certainly open to suggestions. Thank you!