I was diagnosed Dec. 2005, had prostatectomy Feb 2006. Was undetectable for several years but psa started to rise. When it got to 5.0, had radiation for 7 weeks. Was good for couple of years, then after gallium 68 test, found mastastis lymph nodes. More radiation coupled with Zytiga and pregnizone. Have been on it for 1.5 years with psa at zero. Oh, also taking hormone injections.
Concerned about what happens when treatment stops?
Hello Jif1,
I think there's a chance that your prostate cancer is cured and it makes sense to stop the treatment and see. If it's not cured, you'll be able to get back on treatment in plenty of time to keep it from progressing far. It's possible that it's not cured but it's been suppressed to the point that it won't be visible on a PSA test for several years - that's what happened to you in the past. That's not what you want, but it's still positive and will give you a break from treatment.
I'm no expert and my speculations aren't worth much, but I'm going to speculate that you won't die of prostate cancer. You've held it off for 14 years now. During that time, a number of new treatments were discovered and approved that were not available at the time of your diagnosis - including Zytiga and others such as Provenge, Xtandi, Lu-177-PSMA, darolutamide, and more. You haven't come close to exhausting them and there are going to be more new ones in the coming years. So I think the combination of your success in holding the cancer at bay plus the arrival of new treatments is likely to keep you on your feet for the future.
Best of luck with it.
Alan
You know that I'm notaknowitalltypeofguy. Cured❔❔❔
Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.
j-o-h-n Tuesday 11/05/2019 8:10 PM EST
Thank you Alan for you response. It is a quandary as to what to do in July when both my Lupron and Zytiga/prednisone are scheduled to end after two years. Yes, I understand that I can stop and monitor my psa and see what happens. On the other hand, I have read comments on this web site, that men have continued with Zytiga/prednisone as long as it keeps on working. Guess I will have to decide closer to July as to continuing or not.
Alan thank you so much for your detailed response. At this point I have a few months before July when my meds will stop, and I know if I asked 50 people to get 50 different answers however, I liked what you wrote and I’m sure I’ll think about it closer to July
Thank you so much
Sounds good so far. I think 2-3 years of hormone therapy is prudent when given with radiation for known lymph nodes. So far, so good.
If Lupron and xtandi fail you always have casodex or Zytiga to fall back on. After that there are still more treatments. Don't panic. Ride Lupron and xtandi for all you can get out of them.
Thanks. I am on Lupron and Zytiga 1000mg and Prednisone 5mg for 1.5 years. Don’t know about standing or casodex, but i am sure my oncologist does.
This was a good read. Similar case as you, Jif1. Twelve years since RP and eleven years since radiation treatment. Tomorrow I get my second (3 month) shot of Lupron. PSA presently at 0.4
Detectible PSA two years after RP
Rising PSA - Scan or Biopsy
Salvage Options after Relapse
Good News?
My 22 month psa after radiation treatment (SBRT) is 1.25. What should my nadir be? Less than 0.5?
