I've got a question.

I'm going to assume by spread PC you mean PC that has breached the prostate capsule and thus started to spread to other parts of the body, most usually the bones but also the lymph nodes and other organs. When PC has spread to other parts of the body it has become incurable but it is still treatable. My PC is incurable.

PC that has not spread outside the prostate capsule is potentially curable. There are a number of treatments including prostate removal and radiotherapy.

There are many different types of PC (at least 27) but the most common is adenocarcinoma. Which type of PC we have can only be determined after a positive biopsy (positive meaning cancerous cells have been found).

Generally the lower the PSA, the less likely that it has spread outside of the prostate capsule. However, PC is a real b1tch of a disease in that it doesn't follow any hard and fast rules and can vary from man to man.

So what can we deduce? Your husband's PSA score is low. Two previous biopsy's haven't found any cancerous cells. Therefore, it seems to me that there is a pretty good chance that if he has got PC, and that's the first big if, then it may well not have spread as yet. However, there are no guarantees although if I was you I'd feel justified in being hopeful that your husband could well have a good outcome from any tests and treatments.

I have a maxim I follow, plan for the worst and hope for the best, that way I only ever get nice surprises.

Edited by member 15 Feb 2017 at 18:17  | Reason: Not specified

Lola's husband doesn't have a Gleason score as yet since he hasn't had a positive biopsy. Therefore, the only data we have to work with at the current time is his PSA history and his negative biopsy history.

Lola it will be much easier for members to respond if you stick to one or two threads for now - starting a new thread every time you think of something makes it hard for us to keep track (as per sjtb above)

Yes it is possible to have a very low PSA and spread all over the body but this is extremely rare and is usually because the man has a particularly rare type of prostate cancer. In your case, the low PSA coupled with two clear biopsies and clear lymph nodes suggests that it is a small tumour. Your mpMRI results indicate it is a small tumour at the apex of the gland with clear seminal vesicles. With everything that you already know, it is extremely unlikely that they are going to find it running rampant around your husband's body.

HI,Lyn, CoIU and all there:

I'm afraid I've driven the two of you you to a big missunderstanding, both because of my bad English on medical words and my anxiety as well.

I quite understand what you say, your fear for my panic and the doctors trying to sell us the most recent things, but fortunately tha's not the case.

You may find it somehow a bit strange. I'll try to explain it at the same time I apologyce for my English.

Paco's PSA was 4.2. Two negative biopsies within 12 years. PSA up and down, lately lower than before. He had had prostate infection twice. Last time, two years ago, during summer vacation on south. He took antibiotics and infection stoped, but, since he has one only kidney, the emergency doctor did an ultrasonography of his abdomen to be certain everything was ok. And it was.

Paco continued to test his PSA: coming down and up but never increasing gradually. At present it's 4.2 as said above.Lower than before. His uro in La Coruña was not sure about giving him a third biopsy, Then suddenly, we learned from a relative suffering PC that there exists the mpMRI. I know it's used for guided biopsies. We went to his relatives's doctor and he said, after seeing Paco's PSA history:

"Well, I don't think you have anything serious but it if you want to have this test done, ok"

The test was done with no biopsy, but to our astonishment the PIRADS 5, pointed to a PC. Then back to the uro and decided to carry on with the biopsy. He said that time:

I'll do the biopsy, but not a guided one as we can see where it is located and it's easy to get there and take the samples.

In adition we had to wait unit March 23th.

We wanted a guided biopsy, so we talked to another uro and he said he would see him and do the guided biopsy.

We are going to Madrid again on the next tuesday.

I'm not sure if it it is more clear now.

The doctor will do mpMRI biopsy.

Lyn, I agree with you that we have to be aware of doctors trying to sell recent thing, but this is not the point. We are not paying for it. Well, actually we pay monthly a part of the required amount (the other part is payed by the company Paco used to work for), but doctors don't get much money from it as health insurances gives them less money than they get privately.

Sorry for my long post, but I wanted you to know about all this stuff, because you are my support.

My two sons live here in Coruña, but I don't want to bring them worries. My daughter lives in Madrid. She doesn't like to talk about it, she looks after his dad.

Good night.

Hey Lola, it certainly is a scary time. We have just been through diagnosis and a radical prostatectomy with still some uncertainty about final outcomes but we are hopeful, or rather I am. My husband who also suffers from anxiety is still finding it hard. We my have turned a corner yesterday though as he managed to leave the house for the first time.
Together you will get through this as you have every other trouble in your lives so far.
One day at a time.
Julie

Terrible nightmare. I've just woken up (it's 05:25) and couldn't stay in bed any longer. I dreamed that a nurse let me know that Paco's prognosis was awful. I felt as I wasn't able to endure it.

Actually, life itself is a nightmare now.

Sorry, I needed to share it with you.

Lola.

Thanks for your advice and for caring me.

Actually my fears are hidden inside, so, I hope, at least at the present moment, I'm not harming Paco, but I can't help thinking of this subject all day long.

Apart from my logical worries, I'm ok. I'm healthy and it is good that I've been under pshychiatric treatment for long time. I'm afraid you may now assume that I'm a bit paranoid, and yes, I used to be, but right now, believe me when I say that this is not the point. Only do I need to share my feelings so as to get some relief, some information, etc, and also because I've got nobody to talk to, and what is more, I don't want to badly involve my children for the moment.

Despite my experience in learning how to control and manage my emotions, I'm scared, very scared.

You know, it is surprising that I'm getting help from a British Forum. After having searched for a Spanish forum where I could get support and information, I googled in English and I luckily happened to come along this site. The support for PC websites in Spanish are not very helpful to me. I wonder why I only could find forums where instead of talking frankly and helpfully they only chatted about hope in God and all that stuff that, of course, I respect, but doesn't help me. Most of the members are from Latin América, therefore their points of view are pretty different.

Visiting the uro next wendsday in Madrid. I'm happy that my daughter and my in laws live there. In case I fail doing things the right way, they are resolute and can think clearly about the issue and help me manage the situation.

Thanks again from this little house in the middle of the country on northwest Spain.

All of you are amazing. I hope I can help as well when I feel better.

Lola.

No Lola, spread to the bones would not show on the scan. But on the basis that he has had two negative biopsies, his PSA goes up as well as down, it is only just above normal and the nodes and seminal vesicles all look clear, the chance of it being in his bones is almost zero.

They would only do a bone scan if PCa is diagnosed and that would be after a biopsy.

Wow AfJ - brilliant to see you checking in and very pleased to see you are still below that magic line of 'undetectable'. I hope all is well?

Hi there,

Paco and I are are drivig to Madrid right now. Tomorrow he is seeing the new uro. He will have a look at Paco's background and consequently will do him a targeted biopsy since, as I've repeated to you tiredness, according to his MRI there is st highly suspicious to be PCa.

He had previously made a reservation for lunch at a nice restaurant by the highway. It doesn't seem he is anxious or scary. Otherwise, he deserves the Oscar to best actor.
I am, but this break had been a short of therapy for me, or, is it that I am trying to escape blindfolded?

I needed to share it with you, maybe because of the wine or because of my Latin blood, or just because you, friends, are all my support now. You are the shoulders I lean on.

Tomorrow morning.... I'd rather not think.

We are meeting my daughter and grandchildren and.... We will see tomorrow, and later on.
Of course, all I went is him to be OK, but in case he is not, I need to be strong enough to help him.

I've left behind my English classes these days and ,maybe, for good. So I big your pardon for H mistakes and tid dammed corrector (besides the car moving)

Hope it all goes well and that you enjoy the meal and the time with daughters and grandchildren. That's what life's all about!

Take care.

Eleanor

x

Hi , friends.
Just want to tell you that we had our appointment with second uro. Nothing new. Same opinion as the previous uro and as you, those who commented on my subject.

Paco will have biopsy on 7th March, two weeks from now.

I asked the uro what about suspicious PCa having broken the capsule or not. He said it was putting pressure on the capsule, might be a bit out of it. He said not sure, the biobsy and posterior scanning would say something more. (He was reading the MRI we handed on to him, and saw the PI RADS 5) and the report, etc.)

So, no news.

I am exhausted. I need deeply breath and sleep, dogs day in Madrid trying to get all the applications required and signed by doctors, some bitchy receptionist at hospitals, traffic, etc.

Again awaiting on this journey we have just started.

Scary, worried, more calmed down now , maybe because of the tiredness itself.

Thanks to all for being there.
Love,

Lola