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Cancer back again.

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User
Posted 26 Jul 2024 at 15:38

I thought I would start a new conversation now that it has been confirmed that my cancer is back after having had original diagnosis and treatment back in March 2006.

I had a recent PETscan which shows that my cancer is back but in the prostate alone, no evidence of metastatic disease.

Way forward is Hormone Therapy, 2 weeks on Bicalutamide 50mg tablets then Decapeptyl injections every 3months, not sure why they have not gone for removal of the cancer, perhaps my age is against that at 84.

Been advised to try and get my weight down, I am 14stone 10lbs and 5' 11" tall, this will be hard as I like my food, can anyone give advice on this?

Also told to exercise each day if possible, but that again is difficult as I have a chronic back pain caused by a trapped nerve, have had surgery but that did not help, this gives me pain in my right leg plus numb feet, used to walk 6-8 miles 4/5 years ago but now on a bad day can only manage a few 100yds.

Numb feet seems to be getting worse which may mean giving up driving, can do short journeys at the moment.

 

User
Posted 26 Jul 2024 at 17:35

Devonroy, what was your original treatment.

Thanks Chris 

User
Posted 26 Jul 2024 at 18:33

Hello, sorry to her this.

Yes, max age for Prostatectomy is typically 75.

Other options for recurrence in the prostate after radiotherapy could be:

• Focal treatments (HIFU, Cryotherapy, Nanoknife), if the recurrence is focal.

• There is some thought that radiation therapy again might be possible if it was previously given a long time ago, but this certainly isn't standard in the UK, and maybe not available at all.

To pursue any of these in your special situation, you'll need to be referred to a research centre such as the London teaching hospitals.

User
Posted 26 Jul 2024 at 18:45

Hi again Devonroy,

I think it's fair to say that we always suspected, bearing in mind your age, that you'd end up on HT probably for the rest of your life. However, looking on the positive side, the cancer appears to be contained within the prostate.

As for losing weight and doing more exercise. Don't doctors advise most of us to do this no matter what our complaints are.

Personally mate, at 84 years old, I'd eat and drink as much as I wanted; and exercise as much as I needed to and felt comfortable with.

I hope that you have many years left and watch that little girl, that you're cradling so lovingly, growing up.

Best of luck mate.

User
Posted 26 Jul 2024 at 22:11
Tough luck there, but a reasonable chance HT will keep the cancer in check. Having had a trapped nerve myself I know that is very painful and makes exercising almost impossible, As Adrian says, in your mid-eighties you are approaching the stage when the risk is under-eating (we have experienced that with older relatives) so I wouldn't get too worked up about dieting - especially when nice food is one of your pleasure - but try to go for quality over quantity and not snacking.
User
Posted 27 Jul 2024 at 02:54
I had RT in 2008 but had salvage HIFU in 2015 within a trial. This did not get all the cancer and I was told they did not want to do a repeat so wanted to start me on Hormone Treatment but having originally had Horemon Treatment back in 2007/8, I rejected this and following a conversation with the surgeon who administered the HIFU she agreed to try it again, This time it appears to have succrssful and I was told I am in remmision and have avoided the dreaded HT. I was about your age when I had the second HIFU, an easy procedure. You do have to be a suitable candidate for HIFU but may otherwise be suitable for another form of Focal Treatment. They wouldn't give further RT in my case. If you want to be considered for Focal Ttretment ask your Oncologist to refer you. It can now be done within the NHS.
Barry
User
Posted 27 Jul 2024 at 15:55

Devonroy, thank you for your reply. From a lay persons view I can see the reluctance to carry out salvage surgery from the point of view of age and risk although age should not automatically be a factor. I had SABR treatment to two areas after surgery and salvage RT, but they were not too previously treated areas.

Thanks Chris 

User
Posted 28 Jul 2024 at 20:35

Hi Devonroy,

As I understand it, surgery after having RT is very difficult because the prostate is now a gooey mess, which is probably why they have not offered to you.

Derek

User
Posted 29 Jul 2024 at 08:45

I'm not on a treatment plan yet (hopefully find out more about this at first meeting with Oncologist on 31st July) but I've already been advised that surgery after RT is something they are very reluctant to do exactly as you've said, it's get very messy in there.

Dave

User
Posted 31 Jul 2024 at 10:14

Visit to Oncology Nurse yesterday for first Decapeptyl hormone therapy injection.

Nurse confirmed that  surgery after having RT would be very difficult because the prostate is now a gooey mess therefore I am on the best way forward, wait to see now how long it will take for my PSA to come down to a level when injections will stop.

Next PSA 2nd September.

User
Posted 31 Jul 2024 at 11:04

Good luck with the HT and furthers results, mate. 

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User
Posted 26 Jul 2024 at 17:35

Devonroy, what was your original treatment.

Thanks Chris 

User
Posted 26 Jul 2024 at 18:33

Hello, sorry to her this.

Yes, max age for Prostatectomy is typically 75.

Other options for recurrence in the prostate after radiotherapy could be:

• Focal treatments (HIFU, Cryotherapy, Nanoknife), if the recurrence is focal.

• There is some thought that radiation therapy again might be possible if it was previously given a long time ago, but this certainly isn't standard in the UK, and maybe not available at all.

To pursue any of these in your special situation, you'll need to be referred to a research centre such as the London teaching hospitals.

User
Posted 26 Jul 2024 at 18:45

Hi again Devonroy,

I think it's fair to say that we always suspected, bearing in mind your age, that you'd end up on HT probably for the rest of your life. However, looking on the positive side, the cancer appears to be contained within the prostate.

As for losing weight and doing more exercise. Don't doctors advise most of us to do this no matter what our complaints are.

Personally mate, at 84 years old, I'd eat and drink as much as I wanted; and exercise as much as I needed to and felt comfortable with.

I hope that you have many years left and watch that little girl, that you're cradling so lovingly, growing up.

Best of luck mate.

User
Posted 26 Jul 2024 at 22:11
Tough luck there, but a reasonable chance HT will keep the cancer in check. Having had a trapped nerve myself I know that is very painful and makes exercising almost impossible, As Adrian says, in your mid-eighties you are approaching the stage when the risk is under-eating (we have experienced that with older relatives) so I wouldn't get too worked up about dieting - especially when nice food is one of your pleasure - but try to go for quality over quantity and not snacking.
User
Posted 27 Jul 2024 at 02:54
I had RT in 2008 but had salvage HIFU in 2015 within a trial. This did not get all the cancer and I was told they did not want to do a repeat so wanted to start me on Hormone Treatment but having originally had Horemon Treatment back in 2007/8, I rejected this and following a conversation with the surgeon who administered the HIFU she agreed to try it again, This time it appears to have succrssful and I was told I am in remmision and have avoided the dreaded HT. I was about your age when I had the second HIFU, an easy procedure. You do have to be a suitable candidate for HIFU but may otherwise be suitable for another form of Focal Treatment. They wouldn't give further RT in my case. If you want to be considered for Focal Ttretment ask your Oncologist to refer you. It can now be done within the NHS.
Barry
User
Posted 27 Jul 2024 at 12:12

As requested this was my original treatment:

1st March 2006
Routine blood test
22nd March 2006
Doctor – PSA @ 17 could be prostate cancer
23rd May 2006
Hospital – Confirms GP diagnosis.  
25th May 2006
Hospital – Biopsy
8th June 2006 
Hospital – Confirms cancer, Gleason Score 8 
14th June 2006
Hospital – Bone scan.
20th June 2006
Hospital – MRI scan.
12th July 2006
Hospital – Bone scan clear, MRI shows locally advanced , no spread to lymph glands or seminal vessel, treatment will be 30 days Cyprostat, after 14 days Zoladex implant (3 months) for 3 years, Radiotherapy after 3 months of Zoladex.1st March 2006




Edited by member 27 Jul 2024 at 12:13  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 27 Jul 2024 at 15:55

Devonroy, thank you for your reply. From a lay persons view I can see the reluctance to carry out salvage surgery from the point of view of age and risk although age should not automatically be a factor. I had SABR treatment to two areas after surgery and salvage RT, but they were not too previously treated areas.

Thanks Chris 

User
Posted 28 Jul 2024 at 20:35

Hi Devonroy,

As I understand it, surgery after having RT is very difficult because the prostate is now a gooey mess, which is probably why they have not offered to you.

Derek

User
Posted 29 Jul 2024 at 08:45

I'm not on a treatment plan yet (hopefully find out more about this at first meeting with Oncologist on 31st July) but I've already been advised that surgery after RT is something they are very reluctant to do exactly as you've said, it's get very messy in there.

Dave

User
Posted 29 Jul 2024 at 09:20

Thanks all for your replies much appreciated.

Agree that with my age there will be no strict diet for me but will try to cut out anything between meals and sugar in my tea or coffee, might loose a bit.

Also thanks for explaining possible reasons for not offering surgery.

Have an appointment tomorrow to the oncology nurse, not sure what for possibly first injection or scan to look at my bone makeup.

Best to all.

 

User
Posted 31 Jul 2024 at 10:14

Visit to Oncology Nurse yesterday for first Decapeptyl hormone therapy injection.

Nurse confirmed that  surgery after having RT would be very difficult because the prostate is now a gooey mess therefore I am on the best way forward, wait to see now how long it will take for my PSA to come down to a level when injections will stop.

Next PSA 2nd September.

User
Posted 31 Jul 2024 at 11:04

Good luck with the HT and furthers results, mate. 

 
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