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Bone scan clear, but PSA 115 - advanced prostate cancer

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User
Posted 05 Dec 2017 at 17:13

My husband has just had the results of his biopsy and bone scan today.  We were told that his bone scan was clear and his Gleason score was 9.  However, because his PSA level is 115, this indicates that the cancer must have spread and is advanced.  He asked about chemo or radiotherapy and the consultant said it was too far gone for that.  He has started hormone treatment with tablets and injections to come.

Does this mean that the cancer hasn't spread to his bones, but may well have spread to other organs?  Would it be worth asking about an MRI?

I must admit to not only being very worried, but a little confused, so I'd appreciate any advice.

User
Posted 06 Dec 2017 at 17:46

Genevieve, I started on this path over ten years ago with a PSA of 62 and Gleason 9. It appeared to be locally advanced and I was given RT. I also had an MRI scan which showed nothing as did the bone scan. However, at Gleason ,9 and high PSA levels there is a presumption that the PCa has escaped the prostate and put micro Mets into the body. Eventually after about eight years a small number were spotted in my case, in soft tissues only. So it may prove with your husband. There are lots of treatment options, more coming each year, so don't despair. Your husband needs to fight this with positive thinking, a good balanced diet (forget fads, they're pointless at this stage) and regular exercise to keep his weight under control and strength up. The decades ahead will be challenging, but he can still expect to have fulfilling and worthwhile life, with your help.

Good Luck

AC

User
Posted 21 Dec 2017 at 22:39

Safinamo, you should not be posting these things. You don't know better than the person's own doctors. Nor do you seem to be very good at reading people's back stories to make sure you are making aporopriate comments. I think you might be a troll?

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

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User
Posted 05 Dec 2017 at 23:46

Hi Genevieve,

You might get more responses if you add (cut and paste) your above post into your first post/thread in the Diagnosis/Being Diagnosed....  section.

Lyn and Sandra and other regulars with the knowledge you need check there, this section gets less traffic?

Were you given the name of a Specialist Nurse to contact to get information and advice at the hospital. She will be able to tell you about the diagnosis and MRI scan

You can speak to a Specialist Nurse from PCUK, 0800 074 8383, this site, for general information and excellent free books explaining different areas. They can tailor a Toolkit to your needs, or download them direct from the website.

Members have posted high PSAs, 1000, and after hormone treatment now 1.1.

One legend on the Forum had a PSA of 13,000 and going strong.

I had hormone therapy so can explain a bit. The tablet (Bicalutamide? or similar) is taken for 3 weeks before the implant is injected, Mine was Zoladex. The tablets stop a reaction, called flare, to the injection. The hormone bring the PSA down and reduce the size of the tumour.

Please speak to the hospital Specialist Nurse, they have the info to explain and copy your post to the Diagnosis section as above.

Best wishes. G

 

User
Posted 06 Dec 2017 at 06:22

Hello Genevieve,

I'm afraid that I can't live up to graham's expectations as I don't have the knowledge.

We'll just have to hope that Lyn or somebody who has had the same experience will be along to advise you.

Best Wishes

Sandra

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails
User
Posted 06 Dec 2017 at 17:46

Genevieve, I started on this path over ten years ago with a PSA of 62 and Gleason 9. It appeared to be locally advanced and I was given RT. I also had an MRI scan which showed nothing as did the bone scan. However, at Gleason ,9 and high PSA levels there is a presumption that the PCa has escaped the prostate and put micro Mets into the body. Eventually after about eight years a small number were spotted in my case, in soft tissues only. So it may prove with your husband. There are lots of treatment options, more coming each year, so don't despair. Your husband needs to fight this with positive thinking, a good balanced diet (forget fads, they're pointless at this stage) and regular exercise to keep his weight under control and strength up. The decades ahead will be challenging, but he can still expect to have fulfilling and worthwhile life, with your help.

Good Luck

AC

User
Posted 07 Dec 2017 at 15:02

Thank you all so much for your replies. My husband will be having his first injection on the 19th December at the clinic run by the Specialist Nurse, so I will definitely speak to him then. In the meantime I'm going to be looking through this site and preparing any questions. I've told my husband about this website, but I don't think he's really ready to look at it yet - we're still coming to terms with everything. However, the Specialist Nurse did give him a booklet about Hormone Therapy, published by Prostate Cancer UK, so I think he may well come onto the site for information eventually. He is very tired at the moment, and, as I understand it, the hormone treatment will make him more tired, so I will be looking to see how to cope with this. We are also looking at diet and he's hoping to lose some weight - all of which will help.

It was really interesting to read your own story, AC, and it makes sense as to why nothing showed on the bone scan, so thank you for that. We're staying positive and your story gives me hope.

Thank you again, your replies are much appreciated.

User
Posted 21 Dec 2017 at 21:43

It seems that he might have lymph node metastases or the protaste is quite enlarged with chronic prostatis. I recommend a MRI scan of prostate and CT scan of thorax and abdomen (or Choline PET-CT).
If the tumor has only invaded seminal vesicles and the lymph node metastases are only located at level of pelvis and abdomen, it is still curable by proton therapy (available in Munich).
But he should continue hormone treatment for at least 2 years in order to prevent tumor recurrence.

User
Posted 21 Dec 2017 at 22:39

Safinamo, you should not be posting these things. You don't know better than the person's own doctors. Nor do you seem to be very good at reading people's back stories to make sure you are making aporopriate comments. I think you might be a troll?

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

 
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