OUR NEXT STEP

[Granica4818]

Hello friends. We went to the radiologist yesterday. My husband will be getting an MRI with contrast. With that, he said he would be able to see anything going on with the lungs. Dr has also ordered Xtandi and the Lupron shot after radiation if it doesn't completely work. They have decided to do five lower-dose treatments rather than just one or two strong treatments. He said he could go from several different angles doing it this way. What is everyone's opinion on this? Will the radiation help with his back pain? It's getting pretty bad, especially at night. My husband will also be getting his PSA done before treatment starts. This has been a whirlwind of the past 18 months and I'm thankful for all of you and your kind words of knowledge and support.

[anony2020]

Has he done a PSMA Pet scan? Just wondering.

[Granica4818 in reply to anony2020]

No never not yet. and it was just denied. Maybe after his radiation treatment our insurance will approve it.

[anony2020 in reply to Granica4818]

Is it possible it is kidney or something and not cancer at all? Just a thought.

[Granica4818 in reply to anony2020]

Is what just a kidney? He has cancer on T9 and connecting rib and tissue.

[Drandma in reply to Granica4818]

our insurance denied the scan also and we asked to have it done without filing insurance and they lowered the price to $3,500

[anony2020]

Thought back pain could be caused by kidney stone. Sorry. Just an idle thought. Did not mean to cause any offence.

[Seasid in reply to anony2020]

We always have to think about our cancer.

My sister is a doctor in Serbia and said to me that her professor 40 years ago said to them if someone has a cancer than always consider cancer first and not inflammation or infection etc.

I realized that lot of doctors entertain themselves that the PSA is rising because of inflammation or infection etc but the reality is that the cancer is responsible.

Very simple.

[anony2020 in reply to Seasid]

Well no disagreement. But seem in this case CT shows nothing? and PSMA scan is not available. What do you do?

Also in UK PSMA pet is only available for those who had surgery or RT. Its not SOC universal. Wish it were.

[Seasid in reply to anony2020]

Can you contact genesis care?

[anony2020 in reply to Seasid]

I am talking NHS. Also not all private recommend PSMA PET without RP

[Seasid in reply to anony2020]

It is up to you. I had 5 PSMA PET scans.

[Seasid in reply to anony2020]

You can't really say that in UK you can't get a scan?

genesiscare.com/uk/diagnost...

[pakb in reply to anony2020]

It looks like he did have surgery and RT. I agree with ruling everything out. Cancer related or not.

[anony2020 in reply to pakb]

We are talking at cross purposes.

[anony2020 in reply to pakb]

Then he should have PSMS scan

[Seasid]

Did they say anything about a possibility to biopsy the lung spot?

I personally would ask for a PSMA PET scan etc. first.

Actually that PSMA PET scan before his surgery was needed to avoid the operation and to jump directly to radiate the prostate and the visible mets if it is possible.

I don't know where you live but I would try to switch to a cancer center of excellence myself they have a special office which would negotiate with the insurance in order to get the proper scans and treatment.

Your cancer center obviously lacking resources and you ended up with operation etc. I am pessimistic about the place where you are getting your treatment.

[pakb in reply to Seasid]

Agreed. I was wondering same thing.

[pakb]

Just read through some of your posts and bio. Has your husband only had the one Luoron shot over a year ago? Is he on any other regular ADT treatment or other treatment? I think I'm reading that he had a low PSA (3.8) and Gleason 9. They did an RP. After the RP there were positive margins and PSA rose after initial dip after surgery so he had 1 lurpon shot. Then did 40 radiation treatments. But no other treatments again. Then his PSA started doubling again so they did bone scan and found a spot on T9 and on rib? Now planning spot radiation. But still has only had radical prostectomy, 1 lupron shot, and 40 radiation treatments to prostate bed...in that order. I'm wondering why no other treatment along with radiation? Are you also seeing a medical oncologist at a large cancer center?

[MateoBeach]

The MRI with contrast will enable them to precisely plan targeting the two sites at Spine and rib. The 5 treatments is SBRT form of radiation targeting for the two mets. Short term ADT often used with it to hopefully increase results. Duration TBD. But will need monitoring with PSA tests and further scans, PSMA, depending on PSA trend and levels. Good luck to you both.