worry

I can let you know what is happening to me, it might g e you an idea of what to expect.

I had my prostate removed end of July 2015, pre op PSA 8, Gleason 3+4, MRI showed tumour from centre of prostate crossing to the edge of the capsule. my post op histology showed the cancer had broken through the capsule and that I also had Intraductal cancer in addition to the original tumour. The margins were negative. PSA dropped to <0.1 until 1st September 2016 PSA came back at 0.3, rising to 0.7 by 24/11/16. MRI showed a tumour on the prostate bed where the tumour had broken through. I saw an oncologist 11/11/16. He was very honest and told me that the cancer had reappeared very quickly, the PSA was doubling very quickly, there was a risk I had micro metastasis and that these were poor indicators. He also told me there were lots of options available. He sent me for a PET/CT scan to check for metastasis but warned me a negative result may be a false negative. The scan showed a second tumour at a seminal vesicle but no evidence of metastasis. I started HT straight after the PET scan. I had a meeting again in Janary where I was told that HT alone was his recommendation as attempting radiotherapy on the seminal vesicle would involve hitting too much bowel causing severe side effects. I queried this and a second opinion suggested having a radiotherapy planning scan with full bladder and empty rectum. The scan would be reviewed to see if a full bladder moved bowel out the way to give radiation a path through. I await discussion on this.

The HT had reduced my PSA to 0.1 in one month so is doing something.

My wife and I have been through a roller coaster of emotions, information overload, exhaustion etc. I tell you all of this not to cause fear or alarm but to help you understand what to expect next. If I get radiotherapy I have been told it has around a 40% chance of curing me but even f it doesn't it slows things down.

It has been very difficult to deal with but you will get support. Use prostate cancer uk, MacMillan and Maggie's they are all wonderful. Best wishes to you and your husband, Ian.