Does radiation work?

[Mgtd]

I read this and the advanced prostrate cancer thread everyday so I thought I would post my 15 month update to my radiation cancer treatment. It may encourage some of you.

I was diagnosed with unfavorable intermediate risk cancer of 4+3 with three spots of PI-RAD category 5. Upon biopsy I had cancer in 8 of 9 cores and pattern 4 was 95%. I had a bone and whole body image done. They did not show any spread. No PSMA scan was done. Not sure the hospital even had one. My treatment and cancer work up was done at our local regional hospital. No fancy cancer center of excellence by any means.

I had a baseline T and bone density test done prior to radiation. T was 694 and bone density showed very minor Osteopenia to left femoral neck.

My RO recommended I have 25 sessions to my prostate and pelvic area. The pelvic area was treated as a precaution to possible microscopic cancer cell spread. I had 6 months of Lupron (2 prior, 4 after).

I tolerated all very well and my T returned 2 months post Lupron. PSA was <0.01 post radiation and on Lupron. When my T was rising back to my normal pre-Lupron number my PSA rose to 0.04 and has held in the 0.04 to 0.06 range for the last 8 to 10 months. This slight rise in PSA was expected by my RO and MO as the T rose. We stopped getting T tested when it hit 471 two months after stopping Lupron.

I will be 80 years old in 2025 and I attribute my lack of side effects to both the Lupron and radiation to luck and the fact that I always did resistance and aerobic training everyday. I continue this now. I watch my diet and lost 12 pounds on Lupron and undergoing radiation. I have gained 4 pounds back.

I hope this helps others beginning their journey to see that you can expect good results even with a prostrate heavy with cancer and at an advanced age. This is no miracle just good practice of modern medicine.

Best to you beginning and under treatment.

[zeitgeistxx]

Thank-you very much for taking the time to share and detail your experience. You really covered all of the most important elements and that is very valuable to all of the readers on this forum. Very happy to hear you are doing so well. Keep up the exercise, you are an inspiration!

[j-o-h-n]

Yes, and I got to meet a bunch of nice technicians, and they all laughed when I told them I was there for a penis reduction. (I lied)....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[babychi]

Great news! Keep up the good stuff!💜

[GFSHS]

Thank you for sharing the hopeful message! Just starting this journey.

[Mgtd in reply to GFSHS]

See my comment below that was intended for you.

[Mgtd]

I urge you to use this forum and other means as a sounding board during your process. Hopefully my experience helps clarify and perhaps open up other avenues of discussion that you have not previously considered.

Good luck and may your journey have a successful completion.