Argh! The day I've long been dreading has now arrived.
My oncologist phoned to inform me on Monday that my PSA has risen quite sharply, up from 12.2 in March to 17.5 now. Despite this, my latest MRI scan a fortnight ago is still not showing any growths. Nevertheless he strongly urged me to agree to start HT immediately. So, having already read quite widely and anticipated this sort of scenario, as well as discussing it in some depth on here and with close family and friends, I agreed to go ahead and accept his recommendation.
To recap, I was diagnoed with PCa in 2008 and underwent a RP and EBRT in 2009. The last thirteen years have been totally pain free but not without other complications, namely a very over-active bladder and moderate urinary incontinence as well as ED. Over that period my PSA increased slowly at first but then started to accelerate three years ago.
My oncologist informed me that thiis meant I now had a recurrence of the cancer and that it had already escaped the prostate bed, meaning it is now classified as advanced PCa. He suggested that by opting for HT immediately it could be expected to prolong my life for around a further five to seven years from now. However he would not or more likely could not give any indication as to how long I might survive without HT treatment.
I have discussed with the onco previously the option of having another PET scan (the last one in October 2021 revealed nothing significant) but he is of the clear opinion that oligometastisis is very unlikely in my case, therefore in his opinion there is little point in going ahead with another PET scan. He also feels that any delay in commencing HT now could reduce the chances of it being effective.
I face the future with some trepidation but am determined to make the best of every minute of life I have remaining. There is no point in adopting any other approach.
Edited by member 21 Jul 2022 at 08:37
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