News after (+-) 6 months of end of Chemo

[JNunes]

Good morning, everyone.

I come back to talk about my father.

Yesterday he had another appointment with an oncologist at the public hospital where he does the treatments.

During this month (march), he underwent CT, bone scans and blood work.

The doctor said that the imaging scans remain the same as those performed at the end of chemo, with no signs of illness. Nothing visible.

The PSA value dropped from 2 to 1.9.

This information was what my father told us, as it is not possible to go with him, due COVID pandemic situation.

(I believe that the only scan that showed bone and lymph node metastases, was the PSMA PET. Would he be expected to perform this scan again, now? Chemotherapy ended in October / 2020.)

Any feedback from you will be appreciated.

Good luck to everyone.

[Shooter1]

I've never had a PSMA PET scan... my mets both bone and non bone showed up on regular pet scans and ct scans. Really small mets would be picked up by the PSMA scans but usually won't change the course of treatment. If a recurrence is suspected acct rising PSA or other change then PSMA might be needed to guide treatments. All IMHO.

[JNunes in reply to Shooter1]

Thank you for your answer.I think that the only time my father did PSMA PET was after having increased the PSA value, after the first treatment, which would be curative, but after a few months, he soon had an increase in PSA.

[Garbonzeaux]

"...it is not possible to go with him, due COVID pandemic situation."

You might consider a phone call allowing you to listen in during his discussion with his MO or have him take a small audio recording device and listen to the conversation after his visit. Ask first, but I have found Drs very receptive, particularly during COVID times. And you can stay better informed.

[JNunes in reply to Garbonzeaux]

In the preview appointment, the oncologist, called my father to cancel it, as it would not be necessary to go in person, so we were able to hear what she said. Post chemo imaging exams showed nothing.This time, it was another doctor. My father does not seem to feel it is necessary to ask for the family to listen, or to go. He does not want to complicate the procedures for having the consultation. Although we liked it.

Thanks, Mr. Garbonzeaux.

[Chugach]

He can ask for a copy of the radiology reports - you can read them directly and then call the Oncologist to discuss any questions you have. I always read my reports directly as doctors can be busy and some like details more than others. These are medical reports that can be difficult to read without a radiologist or oncologist helping translate at times

[JNunes in reply to Chugach]

I will see that possibility.My father can retain the important information, but we end up not knowing the details.

Thank you.

[MateoBeach]

You may want to see if he meets criteria for one of the Lu177 PSMA clinical trials to target those PSMA avid mets. It may be approved by the end of the year by FDA but not clear what availability will be as it is rolled out. Earlier is better.

[JNunes in reply to MateoBeach]

I don't know if the chemo resolved what was visible in the Pet PSMA.We live in Europe.

I will speak to a doctor who is a friend of a friend, who works at the institution where my father is being treated, so that he can enlighten us.

[j-o-h-n]

Your father is 61 years old......."My father does not seem to feel it is necessary to ask for the family to listen, or to go. He does not want to complicate the procedures for having the consultation."

Tell your father it is your duty to go with him.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 03/26/2021 2:41 PM DST

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

When I say that he feels that it is not necessary, I mean having to ask the doctors for that. He gets a little nervous, and his blood pressure goes up when accompanied. He apparently prefers to go alone.

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

It's a little distressing, because I know that I'm more informed about PC world than he is. But...

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

Apparently things are under control and responding well. But we are always in anguish as to whether there is anything else that needs to be done.

[j-o-h-n]

The roles are reversed.......... parents become the children and their children become their parents....

Tell your Dad to take you with him to see the doctors or you won't let him eye any more pretty women.... That should get him........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 03/26/2021 10:30 PM DST