Watching and waiting

[Pastaking]

My 78 year old husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer Gleason 8 two years ago. ( Urologist noticed a very slight rise in psa and located a tumor after dre. Biopsy showed cancerous cells in Only in three cores. Bone scan clean. Subsequently had 28 rounds of radiation and three rounds of CyberKnife. Additionly Shut was on 12 monthly injections of Firmagon. He finished those eight months ago. Just had his six month check up. PSA is .067 is unchanged. Testosterone level went from 14 to 117. The doctor reassured us that it’s good that his testosterone level is going back to normal however, didn’t we do the ADT to keep that from happening? Should we be concerned. And is there anything else we should do other than wait for another six months?

[Tall_Allen]

He is hopefully cured. The hormone therapy was just for a limited time to help the radiation finish off his cancer. It's time for things to return to normal.

[Doctorsceptic]

Your husband is the same age as me. I had surgery in 2009, local radiotherapy in 2012 for rising PSA and recently had a small rise in PSA. I was given ADT plus enzalutamide (dreadful side effects) then apalutamide going same way so I stopped it too. I wished I had researched these drugs more carefully before taking them.

At 78 the question is 'will further cancer therapy alter life expectancy (ie death from any cause not just from cancer)'? What is the trade off between therapy (whatever is offered) and quality of life? Only you and your husband can decide so interrogate your oncologist hard to make sure he is treating your husband as a whole person and not just treating his cancer. This is a tough conversation and some oncologists don't like having it!

[Pastaking in reply to Doctorsceptic]

I appreciate your answer. I believe that his urologist is very well aware of the age situation and quality of life question as well. He encourages my husband to travel which we will do this year and just enjoy himself. We do not have a medical oncologist, but a radiological oncologist. I keep reading about having an MO. I am thinking that we will wait the six months till October and see what the tests bring then. His urologist seems strongly to believe and wait and watch at this point. I guess I just want to make sure I am being the best advocate I can be.

[God_Loves_Me in reply to Pastaking]

Please build team of Medical oncologist, radiation oncologist and urologist

[Doctorsceptic in reply to Pastaking]

I am glad to hear you have an empathetic doctor. A medical oncologist would be a good choice at this stage, and a wait and see approach has much to recommend it. I wish you all the best.

[babychi]

Testosterone rising is normal after ceasing ADT. At 78 maybe eat a healthy diet and do some weight bearing exercise and get lots of rest. We are travel addicts in our 70’s and our motto is “see the world before we leave it”. Great outcomes to you both🌻

[j-o-h-n]

That's what life is all about "watching and waiting"..........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[Mgtd]

I am also in the “78” club and am having the same increase in T after radiation and ADT. TA said it was OK and normal so you can take that to the bank and John hit it on the head with his “watch and wait.” In the mean time enjoy your life together.

My 21 year old girlfriend feels the same way. I need to clarify that is really my wife now.

Every time I pass our family picture galley in the hall and see our wedding picture I am reminded how young we were then. Just two kids starting an amazing journey.