topic Re: PROSTATE CANCER in Wellness

PROSTATE CANCER

bootsanne — Fri, 10 May 2019 22:53:12 GMT

My only nephew, just turned 57, has been diagnosed with an aggressive prostate cancer. The bone scan and MRI shows it is still contained and has not spread. He has seen several different doctors, all with different prognosis, but generally agree that he should have surgery. Possibly some radiation beforehand. One surgeon said he has to lose 30 pounds before the surgery. My nephew is far from obese, works out several times a week, hunts and fishes and is general good health. We are all floored by this surgeon's request and my nephew will see another surgeon.

My nephew has accepted that he needs surgery and knows what the negatives will be afterwards. However, my niece-his cousin- an excellent trauma nurse, is persuading him to just get the beads implanted. His sister and his extended family, want him to be aggressive in his treatment. So do I. I know that if I'm ever diagnosed I'll do whatever I can to stay alive and not worry about side effects.

Are there any here who have had a person in their life facing this issue? What course did they choose? I didn't know that prostate cancer was the 2nd leading cause of death in men.

Re: PROSTATE CANCER

Mom2Dogs — Fri, 10 May 2019 22:58:10 GMT

@bootsanne , so sorry to hear the diagnosis in your nephew, and he is so young!

I cannot offer any advice, but I am not sure I would want to advise someone on what treatment to take or not to take....I would not want that on my shoulders. He should probably get another opnion, possibly a 3rd....from a surgeon as you said he was going to do....and try to make an informed decision with out outside family in put.

Best of luck to your nephew.

Re: PROSTATE CANCER

RetRN — Fri, 10 May 2019 23:08:09 GMT

Radioactive seed implants are one form of treatment, but he needs to discuss all options with an oncologist.

Re: PROSTATE CANCER

Kachina624 — Fri, 10 May 2019 23:23:45 GMT

He needs to find a doctor he trusts and take his/her advice only.

Re: PROSTATE CANCER

Mary Bailey — Fri, 10 May 2019 23:27:01 GMT

DH (64) had the seeds implanted a month ago. His Gleeson score was 6. It has not spread. It's in 2/3 of his prostate.

The CT scan was yesterday, all seeds still in place (non-have migrated). He had 72 seeds implanted with 18 insertions. He has his 1st PSA test in 3 months. Hopefully his PSA will be very low.

The seeds remain in the body forever. It's strongest the first 4 months then dissapates 50%, then dissapates by 25%, then another by 25%.

His Dr said he could remain a 6 for years, wait and see. I said wait for it for it to get bigger? then try to fight bigger cancer? DH did his research. The center he went to has great sucess rate. He didn't want prostate removed or chemo, or radiation. (those would be plan b etc)

My prayers for your nephew. It's hard to know what is the correct treatment.

Re: PROSTATE CANCER

StylishLady — Sat, 11 May 2019 00:05:13 GMT

DH has two small tumors in his prostate. He has been monitoring it for the past 5 years. His urologist said he will die of something else before it would. So far so good at age 80.

Re: PROSTATE CANCER

grandma r — Sat, 11 May 2019 01:07:12 GMT

Sorry to hear about your nephew.

If he opts for surgery it should be a radical retropubic prostatectomy with bikateral lymph node dissection. Some surgeons only remove the prostate. In many cases the PSA begins to climb again because the cancer is in the lymph nodes. That can lead to another surgery (RPLND) if the patient is able.

Radioactive seeds implanted into the prostate is another option. However, he should know that once those seeds are implanted, he will not be able to have his prostate removed.

I can't speak to the weight issue. However, there are strategies used that will greatly help in regaining bladder control post op.

I wish him the very best.

Re: PROSTATE CANCER

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Sat, 11 May 2019 01:19:52 GMT

I am your nephew and your family are going through this. My DH was much older than your nephew,he was 71. His prostate cancer was found a few days after his rectal cancer was. His was 2 separate cancers,different types. One did not cause the other.

For his prostate cancer they did radition treatments on that after treatments for his rectal cancer,plus he got 2 hormone shots a few months apart. His PSA went down to basically 0. So far his PSA is still down. They said if it starts to go up again he has to start the shots again. Those shots were the worst, hot flashes, weight gain, tired. DH said he feels bad for women going thru menopause. same symptoms.

He was carrying some extra weight but his onocologist didn't want him losing weight during his radiation treatments plus he chemo via pills. No idea why because he was going to have surgery for the other cancer. I would have thought they wanted weight lose for the surgery, but no.

Each case is different and is approached differently. Talk to his onocologist and I assume he has a ureologist. If you feel a second opinion don't hesitate to ask for one.

Wishing you all the best during this ordeal.

Re: PROSTATE CANCER

Big Joanie — Sat, 11 May 2019 01:22:20 GMT

O.K. .. my husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer 10 years

ago .. personal prefernce he wanted it out .. same with him .. bone

scan and MRI were clear ....

the only thing we heard about the seed that if you need surgery

later the tissue is usually hard to do surgery on because of

the radiation ....

Re: PROSTATE CANCER

hckynut — Sat, 11 May 2019 07:00:42 GMT

@bootsanne --Please use a bigger font.

Several men I know, some very good friends, were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Their decisions on what route to take varied with the degree of the cancer.

2 of them went the surgical route, plus Radiation. Others had Chemo and Radiation. All of them survived, but with different outcomes. Their daily lives changed in several respects which took a lot of life changes for all of them.

Prostate cancer is also a preventable form of cancer for most men. The ones I know well that had this cancer, refused to have a digital exam and/or a PSA exam. When they started to have issues is when they finally went to their doctors.

There are several cancers that can be prevented, or at least minimized, by having regular available preventive exams. It's a shame so many, especially the Male gender, do not take this more seriously, UNTIL!

hckynut

Re: PROSTATE CANCER

riley1 — Sat, 11 May 2019 12:03:37 GMT

My hubby was in his 50's when he was diagnosed. He opted for removal of the prostate.

He had the surgery done at Johns Hopkins by a surgeon that specialized in this procedure.

My advice would be to find a surgeon that specializes in prostate cancer.

Re: PROSTATE CANCER

bootsanne — Sat, 11 May 2019 15:02:21 GMT

I thank you all for your responses. My nephew is currently taking a hormone that is supposed to suppress the growth while he sees other surgeons. He is dealing with excellent hospitals in Pittsburgh. He has also been advised about the seeding and if the cancer would reoccur he couldn't have surgery. I think what has him most concerned is that he went from a normal PSA at last year's physical to cancer and a very high PSA just 10 months later. My sister-his mother-just recently died from a fast spreading colon cancer. She was very passive about her treatment, whereas my husband had very aggressive treatment with his stage 3-4 colon cancer almost 20 years ago and he's still alive.

If there are any positives in this case, my nephew is retiring from a 35 year career with the government. He has excellent health insurance and we live within driving distance of the Cleveland Clinic, one of the best hospitals in the nation. He's divorced, no pets and his family , me included, will do whatever is necessary to help him.

Re: PROSTATE CANCER

goldensrbest — Sat, 11 May 2019 15:13:06 GMT

My husband fought prostate cancer for many yeas,he had aggressive , my advice is get a doctor that specializes in this , my husband found a doctor at Beth Israel hospital ,he was great ,kept him alive for years, but in 2013 it all came to a end.

Re: PROSTATE CANCER

wonderfulworld — Sat, 11 May 2019 18:36:28 GMT

@goldensrbest wrote:
My husband fought prostate cancer for many yeas,he had aggressive , my advice is get a doctor that specializes in this , my husband found a doctor at Beth Israel hospital ,he was great ,kept him alive for years, but in 2013 it all came to a end.

So very sorry for your loss.

Re: PROSTATE CANCER

mousiegirl — Sat, 11 May 2019 19:18:11 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2 wrote:
I am your nephew and your family are going through this. My DH was much older than your nephew,he was 71. His prostate cancer was found a few days after his rectal cancer was. His was 2 separate cancers,different types. One did not cause the other.

For his prostate cancer they did radition treatments on that after treatments for his rectal cancer,plus he got 2 hormone shots a few months apart. His PSA went down to basically 0. So far his PSA is still down. They said if it starts to go up again he has to start the shots again. Those shots were the worst, hot flashes, weight gain, tired. DH said he feels bad for women going thru menopause. same symptoms.

He was carrying some extra weight but his onocologist didn't want him losing weight during his radiation treatments plus he chemo via pills. No idea why because he was going to have surgery for the other cancer. I would have thought they wanted weight lose for the surgery, but no.

Each case is different and is approached differently. Talk to his onocologist and I assume he has a ureologist. If you feel a second opinion don't hesitate to ask for one.

Wishing you all the best during this ordeal.

@CrazyKittyLvr2 An oncologist urologist, one doctor, is the doctor to see, not just a urologist

Re: PROSTATE CANCER

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Sat, 11 May 2019 20:17:56 GMT

@mousiegirl My husband had a ureologist and his onocologist conferred with him and with his gastro Dr. who did his rectal cancer surgery. Also included was his radiologist. The whole team kept in touch and treated him.

Re: PROSTATE CANCER

mousiegirl — Sat, 11 May 2019 21:08:24 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2 wrote:
@mousiegirl My husband had a ureologist and his onocologist conferred with him and with his gastro Dr. who did his rectal cancer surgery. Also included was his radiologist. The whole team kept in touch and treated him.

@CrazyKittyLvr2 A relative went to a urologist. He treated her for a while, then referred her to an oncologist urologist at a cancer center. Often, urologists misdiagnose the symptoms, and by the time someone gets to the proper doctor, it is too late, but in yoiur case, it seems to have worked well.

Re: PROSTATE CANCER

Carmie — Sun, 12 May 2019 01:05:57 GMT

My youngest brother was diagnosed about two years ago when he was 55. The doctors went over all of his options.

He chose the most aggressive treatment and got his prostate removed. He was back to work in a few weeks and is doing very well.

When I was working my "cube mate" who was in his late 40's was diagnosed with prostate cancer too. He and his wife discussed it and together they chose aggressive treatment and he had his prostate removed. He was extremely upset about the possible side effects and discussed them with me.

I assured him that if my husband were in his place, I would rather have him healthy and cancer free and we could work around the side effects. After he had the surgery. The poor guy had to wear protection for a few months because his urine dribbled. Eventually, it stopped. He is doing well today.

I think the patient, his wife/partner and his doctor should make the final decision. Other family members should respect the decision made and stay out of it.

Re: PROSTATE CANCER

TurnerGal — Mon, 02 May 2022 14:44:51 GMT

@Mary Bailey

Hi I am curious how your husband is doing. My 55 year old husband was just diagnosed with prostate cancer. Thanks,

Re: PROSTATE CANCER

hckynutjohn — Mon, 02 May 2022 17:17:01 GMT

First I want to say this for others information. Prostate Cancer, similar to Colon Cancer, is one of the most preventable types of cancer. I have had 2 of my best friends die of Prostate Cancer, 1 that always told me "ain't no doctor sticking his digit up my ***". Other "just didn't have time". Both were well over 50 when diagnosed.

@bootsanne

Several of my other friends were also diagnosed(5 I know for sure) years ago. They all chose the surgical option because they were getting annual digital and PSA testing.

Their surgeries, 3 I know for sure, were followed up with a number or radiation treatments. The 3 I know real well are in their 80's now and living pretty normal lives years after their cancer diagnosis. They all feel they made the right choice for their levels of Prostate Cancer.

Since you have said your nephew is in "general good health", it would seem he has several options.

My personal feeling is all his relatives should not push him one way or the other. Make sure he has the best information available, and a doctor in this field that specializes in this type of cancer. Leave him alone to make his own decision. The last thing a person needs in a situation as serious as this, is 10 people with 20 different opinions, on what he should do.

hckynut 🇺🇸