Never have I been so happy that my dad has been diagnosed with T3b Prostate cancer. Gleason 4+3, starting PSA 55, all 12 cores taken at biopsy are cancerous.
A bizarre opening statement perhaps, but let me explain....
4 weeks ago, the Urologist told my dad (whilst I was present) he had metastatic prostate cancer (1 met showing on pelvic bone) T3b N0 M1b. He very matter of factly explained this meant the cancer is incurable but they would try to manage it for as long as possible. He said the plan would be to start chemo shortly after dad's 1st meeting with the Oncologist, alongside lifetime HT (Degarelix to start with).
Fast forward to yesterday - during the 1st Oncology appointment, she said that there had been another MDT meeting to review dad's results (she had been away during the 1st meeting) and they now believe the suspicious dark spot showing on the pelvic bone is not evidence of metastatic spread but rather a "bone island." I literally burst into tears as I couldn't believe we were receiving such great news. She clarified that the cancer is still aggressive and has spread to the seminal vesicles but instead of chemo the plan is now for dad to undergo a TURP procedure to assist with the waterworks and then commence a 7.5 week course of radiotherapy (5 days per week) alongside his hormone therapy which will continue for a few years - his HT has been changed from monthly Degarelix injections to 3 monthly Zoladex injections. The Oncologist explained the treatment is now potentially curative!!! Of course, I'm not naive enough to think dad is out of the woods but I can't begin to tell you how yesterday was better than winning the lottery!! I still can't quite believe it. His PSA has also dropped from 55 to 11 so far.