Running in circles

[Granica4818]

I will try and make this the short version. My husband has advanced prostate cancer 4+5=9 (Gleason 9). One year ago it metastasized to the T9. He had radiation to the spot. In the meantime, he has had severe pain in the neck area. after scans, they said it was from an injury. (he has never had an injury there) then a couple of months later they said it was cancer but didn't seem to be growing. that the radiation to the T9 and his Lupron shots must be helping. I still soo much pain in the neck I had a CT scan a couple of weeks ago showed the T9 and S1. After going back to Dr and stating that I don't think they could even see the S1 in this scan they added an ademum stating it was the T1.not the S1. Now they are scheduling an MRI for next week but this has been going on since February. His PSA is <0.01 but his PSA has never been over 4 even before surgery. and only0.03 with mets on T9. So my question is after all this how do we know if it's cancer or not? seems after multiple CT scans and MRI scans I feel as though they should know something by now. We feel like we are chasing our tails. But there just doesn't seem to be any sense of urgency from anyone.

[Tall_Allen]

Bone scans/CT can't distinguish cancer from arthritis and age-related degeneration. If initiation of hormone therapy lowered PSA but had no effect on the lesion, wherever it is, then it is not from PCa. (Neck is cervical vertebrae (C1-C7)).

[GMAN2667 in reply to Tall_Allen]

PETSCAN showed spot back on my T-9 and now also T1 -- was denied another PETSCAN with 2 insurances - so now back to CT SCAN AND MRI- lump on back spine back also and pain- very frustrating waiting 6 months from original pet scan thx Tall allen

[maley2711 in reply to Tall_Allen]

so bone and CT scans are used for that very purpose, even for older men...but they are not determinative ??? Put another way, have men then started ADT when it wasn't needed? Especially pre PSMA PET ?

[Hidden in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks for that clarification, Tall_Allen. One year my husband had “some arthritis in his spine” the following year he had Mets in his bones. 😔 Have always felt it was missed and/or glossed over

[Granica4818 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Update. MRI came back that the T1 was arthritis and age related degeneration. T9 is the old spot that has been radiated. PSA stil <0.01 and taking Zytiga and a presisone. The pain in the neck is bad. He had an epidural steriod injection done with no relief. But I am glad that there wasnt another lesion found. Thank you for all your information and advice you have given us. Hopefully his meds will keep working for years to come.

[SteveTheJ]

My PSA was never to 4 but I have stage 4 prostate cancer.