It’s more than 6 months since my last post. My dad took Lu-J591 in last August 2022 and I planned to share his experience if the result’s positive. Unfortunately, his PSA did not reduce and now it is 135.
From last April, he had suprapubic catheterization because of urine retention. It makes him easily get urinary tract infection and hematuria. He often has to stay in hospital for infection treatment and his hemoglobin level is low. The doctor in Australia providing Lu-J591 treatment said he should consider to take TURP to pass urine normally. We talked with some doctors in our country (i.e. Vietnam) and most of them said it’s not for prostate cancer patients but for BHP (Benign prostatic hyperplasia) patients. They believe the surgery would make cancer cells develop quicker and stronger. One doctor agreed to do T.U.R.P for my dad but he also said it normally doesn’t be suggested for prostate cancer patient.
I would like to ask you, especially people who take TURP when getting prostate cancer, to share experience, e.g. do you think TURP is a good option? What should be considered when taking TURP, etc.
Surgery does NOT make cancer develop quicker and stronger. TURP is usually used for BPH but it also can be used for other purposes, such as relieving urinary retention.
I had TURP last March for supposed BPH urinary retention from the BPH.
3 months later I was bleeding and have urine problems again. A cystoscopy revealed suspicious cells growing into the bladder neck and a second TURP last August was performed and revealed the suspicious cells to be prostate cancer.
I truly believe my original BPH symptoms were not typical BPH, but the cancer causing the prostate to bulge and block urine like BPH. My PSA never went over 1.1.
TURP’s an easy procedure, but does have risks. I’m not a doctor, but I’d recommend TURP if cystoscopy shows the urethra is being compressed and causing the urinating difficulties, whether it’s from BPH or cancer bulging. Much preferable to full time catheter or routine self catheterization.
I had a TURP shortly after diagnosis because of blockage. It worked pretty well, but I often had to wear a pad for dribbles. Still, it was a vast improvement. Then 2.5 years later I was blocking again. This time the cancer was moving into my bladder too. This time I had a TURP with bladder clearing. There's a term for the procedure that I am not recalling. Anyway, these procedures were about saving my kidneys rather than treating the cancer, though I think there was some benefit there too. I consider myself extremely lucky in that I have been peeing like I used to before cancer for more than a year and a half. I think I am having an exceptionally good response. It is a bright spot in the rest of the muck. Best of luck - Will
If your Dad has had any radiation to the prostate, do not get a TURP. It took me 4 years to heal from a TURP. I had had IMRP and brachytherapy years earlier.
I had a Urolift which was helpful until it was ripped out by the TURP. I don't know if thye are doing Urolifts today?
Thank you for the provided information . My father never had external radiation therapy. We neither knew nor heard of Urolift. After readed you message I just learned the concept of Urolift via google. I will try to learn if anywere in Vietnam is a possibility to implement Urolifts
i am Stage 4 Prostate Cancer and have had 2 TURPS. They work. First, try and find a Surgeon who has done 1,000 or more TURPS. They are out there.
My PCa had bulged into my bladder (on MRI & CT & Cystoscope), kind of like 2 knuckles that were partially blocking the left Ureter. The first TURP was done at Mayo. They used the tissue as my primary biopsy. Unlike hollow point needle biopsy, this was pure, targeted PCa, which vame back as Gleeson 4+4=8., Quite a bit of prostate PCa was removed, but not up to the Prostate core. Catheter for one day only, then hot shower to pee/urinate, as swelling was there for a week.
About 2 weeks later I moved some lawn furniture around. Dr had asked me to not lift more than 20 lbs for 6 weeks. Next day started bleeding, clotting, went to ER at local hospital, called my Urologist. Catheter was still large clotting after 1 day in hospital so decision was made for2nd TURP to locate area of bleeding, and cauterize to stop bleeding. Was successful. 4 days at home with Catheter. Removed at Urologists office pain free, with good urine function. So, YES, here in US, TURPs are commonly used for PCa. Steam, Lazer, Surgery are used for BHP.
By the way, BTW: 13 months later, in Jan 2021, had SBRT/SABR Radiation of Prostate at Mem Sloan Kettering NY City, which brought my PSA down every month since. Latest PSMA PET (Pylarify) shows no Cancer in Prostae, none in any organ, none in any bone. 3 lymph nodes positive. Trying to get those removed. Note: I have been on ADT (Lupron, Zytiga-prednisone) since November 2020, now 27 months.
Thanks for your reply. I have read your Bio.and try to understand. As far as I understand you have a few months of Xtandi treatment (from Dec. 2020 to feb 2021) before swichedto zytiga. May I ask
- You switched to zytiga because xtandi is no longer effective?
- Are you still on Zytiga?
- With zytiga your PSA nadir 0.22?
My English is not good enough, I am afraid that I do not understand correctly. I ask so because my dad had been on zytiga for 14 months. During this time the PSA never went down, but gradually increased from 0.3 to over 35. My dad is advised to switch to Xtandi, but because of the concern about cross-resistance of zytiga-xtandi, we found a solution non ADTto insert beween two that ADT drugs. Also I've heard that if for somone enzalutamide does not work then abiratorene also will not work and vice versa.Likely none of these things seem to be correct to your case. I know that each individual is different. But your story gives me hope because my dad doesn't have many treatments to choose
Yes, you understand well. Xtandi allowed my T to rise, then PSA followed. Zytiga+prednisone + Lupron (3 mos inject) is still working 27 months in. Some men have success dropping Prednisone for Dexamethasone. You may inquire. Also Nubequa works differently than Zytiga, and does not cross the blood brain barrier. By changing up protocols,you may be able to confuse the PCa, and keep it asleep/sennescence longer?
Thank you. Yes, I have readed (right after sending my post) the post "With Stage 4 Prostate Cancer and considering a Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) and all the replies for diamondrn, finded in the colum of "related posts".
Dawn, if jim and I knew we would be living this nitemare, my husband would have never agreed to Turps. Aggressive cancer, tumors, Mets to the bones. I am not saying the Turps caused his cancer but it sure could have turned it into the speed of light. He was mis diagnosed, did not know it was cancer. It was during the Turps operation they took the biopsy. How can anyone be sure that the TurpsOperation will not do more harm then good! At this point in our lives, I use common sense along with listening to stories like mine. I am so sorry your family is goi g through this. I look in my childrens faces when they are with their father, I see their pain, I feel their pain, I truly hope your Dad takes his time with his decision.
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I'm sorry about Jim's TURP case and understand your feelings. We can do nothing but seek information to support loved ones in treatment and improve their quality of life I wish you and Jim all the best.
Had turp two years ago with no problems and great improvement in quality of life. Did not appear to affect my cancer which has just turned castration resistant.
Very sorry to hear the Lu-J591 did not work for him. A TURP should be beneficial in relieving the urinary obstruction for some time. There is no reason to think it would cause the cancer to accelerate, which already appears to be aggressive. Not having had the prostate irradiated by EBRT it should not be unduly risky, though all surgeries do carry some risk, such as bleeding and infection. Hoping he has some relief.
Hi, Paul. Thank you. In fact, daddy has no bone pain any more. He thought Lu-J591 partly had done its’ job. His PSA was stable around 63 until mid jan. This time psa up to 135 right in the time of very much blood in urine. I think, the increase may be come also from other reason7 (it makes urine infections). I think, dad has to do some Lab to know why.
Good to hear the Lu-J591 gave him benefit even to bone mets for pain. Perhaps when the urinary situation and infection are under control he could consider and discuss a combination with Ac225-PSMA, though that is not yet available with J591 in Australia. Ra223 for bone mets is another consideration (Xofigo here). My best to you both. Paul
Has your Dad considered Green Laser Therapy if available in Australia, and which I believe is far less radical than a TURP? This link gives a general overview mayoclinic.org/tests-proced...
I didn't have prostate cancer but I did have a prostate over four times the normal size, pushing up into the bladder and worsening retention back in 2014 as a result.
After careful consideration of all the options, I opted for the Green Laser procedure as it just opens up the urethra, it was less invasive and I was in one day, out the next and the catheter removed after 3 days by my local GP.
To add balance to the argument, the laser treatment is usually good for 8 to 10 years, and after which it just needs to be repeated.
Thank you for the suggestion. Unfortunately we are in vietnam
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