Next chapter. A new beginning

[Tnj54]

Hi Tnj54 here,

I'm new here, in fact I just joined yesterday. My Gleason score is a 3+4

My most recent PSA was a10.3. I just began neoadjuvant hormone therapy last week and gearing up for radiation therapy next month. Nice to see that there's a website that can be a support system at this time in my life.

[Tall_Allen]

What kind of radiation? There is no evidence that hormone therapy is useful for a GS 3+4.

[Tnj54 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Tomotherapy Allen

[Tall_Allen in reply to Tnj54]

Do you have a radiation oncologist nearby who practices SBRT? Only 5 treatments instead of 40-44. Potency retention is 70-80%. Similar to HDR brachytherapy.

What kind of neoadjuvant hormone therapy? Shots or Casodex or both? If a shot, it's too late for a few months. If a pill, you can stop it immediately.

[Tnj54 in reply to Tall_Allen]

I like the idea of having 70-80%

Potency.

[Tall_Allen in reply to Tnj54]

My only lasting side effect was reduction in semen.

[Tnj54 in reply to Tall_Allen]

I would be quite happy if I had the same result.

[Handdrummer777 in reply to Tall_Allen]

I'd take reduction any day. Damn.

[Handdrummer777 in reply to Tnj54]

Indeed yes! I had to resort to a homemade device to achieve a similar result, and I'm not out of the woods yet (two more months at least of ADT).

[Tnj54 in reply to Handdrummer777]

Update... Post radiation- PSA is at 0.1 no more injections and it's nice to get an erection naturally with a little precum at climax.

[Handdrummer777 in reply to Tnj54]

Beautiful! Did you get the SBRT or another kind of radiation?

[Tnj54 in reply to Handdrummer777]

I had IMRT and was very satisfied with it.

[Tnj54 in reply to Tnj54]

The urologist said the cancer was contained. I received 2 injections in my stomach to prevent it from spreading a month ago . Then was told I would be given hormone injections at 3 month intervals in my bottom.

[Tall_Allen in reply to Tnj54]

That's Firmagon - it only lasts for one month, which is good. GS3+4 spreads VERY slowly. In fact, I know two men with that who are successfully managed on active surveillance. Where are you located?

[Tnj54 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Edison

[Tall_Allen in reply to Tnj54]

I suggest you talk to Michael Zelefsky at MSKCC - he does both brachytherapy and SBRT. Or go to Flushing and see Alan Katz who has done more SBRT than just about anyone. Neither will have you on hormone therapy.

[Dreamweaverman]

Hey T, Were you able to get 2nd & 3rd opinions on treatment? You are definitely not alone my friend. We are here.