Dad doesn't know what procedure is best

daughter27

hopeful and optimistic said:

second opinion
The second opinion that I mention is to simply call, and have the parrifin blocks, the biopsy sent to john hopkins for a second opinion to make sure that your results are accurate.

However what I would do on Monday morning is to call the doc and ask for medication to clear up any infection that might be in the blood that elevates the psa. ...if in fact the psa was elevated because of an infection, he will be able to wait before another biopsy. Also speak to him, and have a generational talk and find out if he had sex or biked before the psa that would elevate the psa.....of course all this is his docs decision.

I'm pretty sure that proton beam is eliminated........I had contacted the center at loma linda, and the weight limit then was 250

your father like all of us is more likely to die from heart related disease than from prostate cancer so he needs to take an active roll in changing his life style. Resulting from his obesity he may already have some related disease such as diabeties.......

ira

psa heart and weight
I spoke with him tonight and told him that its basically nothing he doesn't know already, but that he really needs to think seriously about losing weight, that a lot of potential treatments would be eliminated because of his weight and that overall his health would improve...he agreed..

I said that there was a lot the could cause the PSA to rise and mentioned this...he said he heard of friends of friends that have had higher PSAs and that it wasn't as important as the Gleason. I don't think he had sex and I know he didn't ride a bike...an old ankle injury is giving him trouble, making him more sedentary..thus weight a bigger problem..

What I don't understand is that I also emailed a friends sister *urologist and I think perhaps she doesn't understand the potential or real ? confusion with the Gleason number and she said watchful waiting is only good when psa remains stable and gleason is under 7...which I think it is..now...but as the first email said 8 she may (I hope) be responding to this... based on all his other history she recommended percutaneus radiation.

I think its ok that he has the additional biopsy and this sounds like a great idea to send info to hopkins. I didn't know that they would do this. I was also thinking of making an appointment for when I am home to sit down and talk to specialists perhaps at Rothmann institute...

Proten beam actually seems like a great procedure I read up about it a bit some places listed 350 as the max and a waist of 38. think he may be into 40s now...and yes some listed 250...

I will also ask him if the doctor gave him any meds for an infection...

thanks again...for everything...I will continue to keep you updated...

daughter27

lewvino said:

Daughter27: I'm glad to hear
Daughter27: I'm glad to hear that you have the correct numbers now from you dad.

I gleason 6 is WAY Better news then a Gleason 8! As allready mentioned the PSA is from Blood work and the Gleason is from actual Biopsy samples. A 12 core sample is very common to take and the good news is they only found cancer in one of the 12 cores.

There are numerous other treatments that your dad can have if they completly rule out surgery. He might want to look around for other surgeons to also see if they would completly rule him out. It sounds like with the heart problem and weight is the main concern.

Other treatments include brachtherapy, Radiation, cryotherapy, cyperknife and proton.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Larry

wrong numbers?
Larry,

I am really hoping this is the case...when I called him today he said it could be...he said that between the info he gets from the urologist and the info from primary care physician it sometimes all gets mixed up...I may try and ring the doctor, but not sure that they will tell me anything over the phone..the way I understand it is that Gleason is only found through the biopsy if this is the case then we will know more soon..

Guess I will tell him to go through with biopsy just to be on the safe side..

Although he isn't thrilled with all the potential negative effects of surgery...he says that if it keeps like it is going up and down etc...he would rather have them just take it out. Since it was a choice the docs gave him, I guess that they would be willing to do surgery...naturally if watchful waiting or another therapy would be good for now he would also do that...

thanks for all you help and just being a friendly face that has been there...continued success to you as you go through this...I will keep you posted...

daughter27

Kongo said:

PS
Daughter,

Just a couple of other things...the doctors won't usually go over ALL of the options available. Most urologists are surgeons and over 90% of them will recommend surgery. Radiologists overwhelmingly recommend some form of radiation. The only way you can understand all of the treatment options available is to do extensive research on your own. This forum is an excellent source of information to help guide your search. Doctors usually tell the patient that they can have radiation, surgery, or active surveillance. There are many, many more options than these.

As others have mentioned, your father’s weight makes surgery problematical. Radiation includes brachytherapy where small, radioactive seeds are implanted in the prostate. Each seed is about the size of a grain of rice and are radioactive isotopes (either Iodine or palladium) which have a fairly short half life. The seeds permanently remain in the prostate. There is a version of brachytherapy where radioactive wires are inserted into the prostate and then removed called HDR brachtherapy. There are also a variety of external radiation therapies that deliver radiation to the prostate in such a way as damage to surrounding tissue and organs is minimized. CyberKnife is one of those therapies. My diagnosis was very similar to your father’s and I chose CyberKnife. CyberKnife uses five treatments (each lasting about 45 minutes) and uses a highly accurate delivery system to radiate the prostate. I had zero side effects (I’m a month out from treatment) and the overall process was fairly quick and easy. (I posted a series of blog entries on this cite that describe the process …click on my Kongo name in the blue box to the left of this post and then follow the tabs to blog) CyberKnife is a relatively new treatment method to treat many types of cancer, including prostate cancer. PCa has been used to effectively treat prostate cancer since 2003 and has very promising results although it does not have long term survival statistics other forms of radiation (like brachy) because it hasn’t been in use that long. CyberKnife is designed for patients with Gleason scores of 7 or less and a PSA of less than 10…in other words, cancer that is confined to the prostate. Similar dosage levels that CyberKnife delivers in 5 sessions is also done by methods that deliver it in 40-50 sessions. You would need to consult with a radiologist familiar with all the different types to determine which might be best for your father. Medicare in most states will cover CyberKnife but won’t in others. Similar confusing insurance rules apply to different types of radiation treatment.

If your father is a veteran and served on the ground in Vietnam or aboard certain specified ships that pulled into port in Vietnam, your father is likely eligible for increased disability benefits and free treatment through the VA (VA approves CyberKnife) because there is a presumptive link between Agent Orange use in Vietnam and prostate cancer. In other words, if your father served there…the VA presumes that the PCa is related to Agent Orange.

Concerning biopsies: Common practice is to use a needle gun to take the samples trans-rectally. In other words the needle passes through the wall of the rectum into the prostate and then back again for as many times as there are samples. Obviously there is a risk of infection and antibiotics are taken before and after the procedure. Some men (including myself) found the procedure painful even though an anesthetic is used to numb the prostate (another needle going through the wall of the rectum). Biopsies routinely cause some temporary blood in the urine, bloody stools, (which clears within a week) and blood in the ejaculate (which can last for a month or so). There is some debate in the medical community (and within this forum recently) as to whether or not cancer can spread outside the prostate via the needle tracks. Something to think about when the doctors recommend another biopsy. On the other hand, you can’t determine the stage and Gleason score without a biopsy sample.

biopsy and cyberknife
Thank you Kongo....then Yes this is a false 8 at least so far....

I was reading up on cyberknife and thought it also was quite a good option...this and the proton therapy looked like potentials with the least amount of side effects and good results. Although at present his weight would be a factor in proton it doesn't seem to be with cyberknife and there is a treatment facility not so far away.

My Dad is although pretty truthful and open with me regarding all this info, may also play down things a bit as he said it wasn't so bad (the biopsy sample) He kind of has the thinking if it needs to be done..do it..and think he might not to admit to me or maybe himself about the pain. He is a mind over matter type guy with most things so this could be the case here as well.

Ira gave me a good idea to send paperwork to Hopkins to get a second opinion I could have dad send me the updated info and do that. Also thinking about making an appointment at a bigger hospital in the city to go and talk together with Dad...

Insurance he is on Medicare and also has an insurance from his previous work that kicks in after medicare although he was in the service during vietnam he wasn't stationed there, but interesting to hear about that.

As I live in Europe I told him worse comes to worse treatment here is much less expensive and could be an option (he is not thrilled with that idea, but at least it makes me feel like we have options) the more I keep reading the more I keep thinking he should do something now rather than later...and am hopeful he could turn his life around with regards to weight etc since he did do it before...

I actually was reading a bit about the diary regarding your cyber treatment and told my father about that too...trying to create a list with all the pros and cons so that when it comes time to discuss with a doctor I can better understand and ask the right questions..

thanks soo much...I truly appreciate all this info...

I will continue to keep you updated and wish you continued good health...

Not sure how anyone does this without a forum like this....

macguy

daughter27 said:

wrong numbers?
Larry,

I am really hoping this is the case...when I called him today he said it could be...he said that between the info he gets from the urologist and the info from primary care physician it sometimes all gets mixed up...I may try and ring the doctor, but not sure that they will tell me anything over the phone..the way I understand it is that Gleason is only found through the biopsy if this is the case then we will know more soon..

Guess I will tell him to go through with biopsy just to be on the safe side..

Although he isn't thrilled with all the potential negative effects of surgery...he says that if it keeps like it is going up and down etc...he would rather have them just take it out. Since it was a choice the docs gave him, I guess that they would be willing to do surgery...naturally if watchful waiting or another therapy would be good for now he would also do that...

thanks for all you help and just being a friendly face that has been there...continued success to you as you go through this...I will keep you posted...

This 74 year old decided on cryosurgery
It is difficult to choose a treatment for prostate cancer but with an 8 a decision is needed. I had two sevens and one eight. My results are found if you search for cryosurgery. Your dad is lucky to have you help him thru this.

hopeful and optimistic

daughter27 said:

biopsy and cyberknife
Thank you Kongo....then Yes this is a false 8 at least so far....

I was reading up on cyberknife and thought it also was quite a good option...this and the proton therapy looked like potentials with the least amount of side effects and good results. Although at present his weight would be a factor in proton it doesn't seem to be with cyberknife and there is a treatment facility not so far away.

My Dad is although pretty truthful and open with me regarding all this info, may also play down things a bit as he said it wasn't so bad (the biopsy sample) He kind of has the thinking if it needs to be done..do it..and think he might not to admit to me or maybe himself about the pain. He is a mind over matter type guy with most things so this could be the case here as well.

Ira gave me a good idea to send paperwork to Hopkins to get a second opinion I could have dad send me the updated info and do that. Also thinking about making an appointment at a bigger hospital in the city to go and talk together with Dad...

Insurance he is on Medicare and also has an insurance from his previous work that kicks in after medicare although he was in the service during vietnam he wasn't stationed there, but interesting to hear about that.

As I live in Europe I told him worse comes to worse treatment here is much less expensive and could be an option (he is not thrilled with that idea, but at least it makes me feel like we have options) the more I keep reading the more I keep thinking he should do something now rather than later...and am hopeful he could turn his life around with regards to weight etc since he did do it before...

I actually was reading a bit about the diary regarding your cyber treatment and told my father about that too...trying to create a list with all the pros and cons so that when it comes time to discuss with a doctor I can better understand and ask the right questions..

thanks soo much...I truly appreciate all this info...

I will continue to keep you updated and wish you continued good health...

Not sure how anyone does this without a forum like this....

Good daughter, hi again
Recommend that your father get a copy of all tests and office visit notes...you need this so that there will be no confusion, and if he sees another doc at another institution he needs this.

Excuse my ignorance.....I never heard of Rothmann Institute, where is it...what type of institution is it.....by the way we here at this forum are very open about where we live, since there may be other poster who live nearby, or we might know about support groups , etc......for the most part we are very open about our docs, especially surgeons.....some of them we call "rock stars"....an it is very important to know who the rock stars are.

When you send the pathology from your institution, you simply call, if your father had his biops at a hospital, the pathology dept.........sign any releases that they may ask for......and instruct them to send the blocks to john hopkins or boswick or another reputable organization who analyzes the parafin blocks.

My philosophy is to do the least that you can to treat any disease.....less is better....so in your fathers case, if the doc will prescibe a pill to eliminate any possible infection , and if your father before the next blood test for the psa will not do the activities that kongo mention, you will see a psa number that you can have a lot of confidence in. Your father may not need another biopsy for a while.

I mention the above since it has been a short time since his first biopsy.

by the way it is my opinion that one should be treated at the best doctor at the best institution.. I believe that a major medical institution will provide this.

Ira

daughter27

hopeful and optimistic said:

Good daughter, hi again
Recommend that your father get a copy of all tests and office visit notes...you need this so that there will be no confusion, and if he sees another doc at another institution he needs this.

Excuse my ignorance.....I never heard of Rothmann Institute, where is it...what type of institution is it.....by the way we here at this forum are very open about where we live, since there may be other poster who live nearby, or we might know about support groups , etc......for the most part we are very open about our docs, especially surgeons.....some of them we call "rock stars"....an it is very important to know who the rock stars are.

When you send the pathology from your institution, you simply call, if your father had his biops at a hospital, the pathology dept.........sign any releases that they may ask for......and instruct them to send the blocks to john hopkins or boswick or another reputable organization who analyzes the parafin blocks.

My philosophy is to do the least that you can to treat any disease.....less is better....so in your fathers case, if the doc will prescibe a pill to eliminate any possible infection , and if your father before the next blood test for the psa will not do the activities that kongo mention, you will see a psa number that you can have a lot of confidence in. Your father may not need another biopsy for a while.

I mention the above since it has been a short time since his first biopsy.

by the way it is my opinion that one should be treated at the best doctor at the best institution.. I believe that a major medical institution will provide this.

Ira

rothman etal
Ira,

Seems the apple doesn't fall far from the tree...My Mom went to Rothman...hip surgery a few years back...think I have a place in my brain for parents health and it all gets garbled up together-taking care of parents...I meant Fox chase...it is in Philadelphia..They allow you to do a second opinion appointment online- well nearly...they say they will get back to you.

So that is what I did, I will give them a chance to wake up and respond and if not I will phone. Also considering phoning the doctor about the biopsy scheduled...I know that they might not talk to me over the phone, but its a shot...

I guess I was hesitant on two counts at first...one wasn't sure that if you listed all medical information if it then just sounded like you were going on and on and it was somehow too much and I guess also since its not my info, but my Dads guess there is that part how much to protect and how much to reveal if that makes sense...but I am feeling quite safe here on both counts.

I have a cd with all the info...lab work and letters written to his primary care physician etc...up till april. but yes I would be interested in knowing who the rock stars were in Jersey/Philadelphia..

thanks

daughter27

hopeful and optimistic said:

Good daughter, hi again
Recommend that your father get a copy of all tests and office visit notes...you need this so that there will be no confusion, and if he sees another doc at another institution he needs this.

Excuse my ignorance.....I never heard of Rothmann Institute, where is it...what type of institution is it.....by the way we here at this forum are very open about where we live, since there may be other poster who live nearby, or we might know about support groups , etc......for the most part we are very open about our docs, especially surgeons.....some of them we call "rock stars"....an it is very important to know who the rock stars are.

When you send the pathology from your institution, you simply call, if your father had his biops at a hospital, the pathology dept.........sign any releases that they may ask for......and instruct them to send the blocks to john hopkins or boswick or another reputable organization who analyzes the parafin blocks.

My philosophy is to do the least that you can to treat any disease.....less is better....so in your fathers case, if the doc will prescibe a pill to eliminate any possible infection , and if your father before the next blood test for the psa will not do the activities that kongo mention, you will see a psa number that you can have a lot of confidence in. Your father may not need another biopsy for a while.

I mention the above since it has been a short time since his first biopsy.

by the way it is my opinion that one should be treated at the best doctor at the best institution.. I believe that a major medical institution will provide this.

Ira

rothman etal
Ira,

Seems the apple doesn't fall far from the tree...My Mom went to Rothman...hip surgery a few years back...think I have a place in my brain for parents health and it all gets garbled up together-taking care of parents...I meant Fox chase...it is in Philadelphia..They allow you to do a second opinion appointment online- well nearly...they say they will get back to you.

So that is what I did, I will give them a chance to wake up and respond and if not I will phone. Also considering phoning the doctor about the biopsy scheduled...I know that they might not talk to me over the phone, but its a shot...

I guess I was hesitant on two counts at first...one wasn't sure that if you listed all medical information if it then just sounded like you were going on and on and it was somehow too much and I guess also since its not my info, but my Dads guess there is that part how much to protect and how much to reveal if that makes sense...but I am feeling quite safe here on both counts.

I have a cd with all the info...lab work and letters written to his primary care physician etc...up till april. but yes I would be interested in knowing who the rock stars were in Jersey/Philadelphia..

thanks

daughter27

macguy said:

This 74 year old decided on cryosurgery
It is difficult to choose a treatment for prostate cancer but with an 8 a decision is needed. I had two sevens and one eight. My results are found if you search for cryosurgery. Your dad is lucky to have you help him thru this.

cryosurgery
Mac guy,

I can hear in his voice that he truly does appreciate it...but naturally I still feel somehow helpless knowing the right course of action. and as I said it all feels so scary right now...a urologist here says

percutaneus radiation ...no new biopsy needed and that she wouldn't recommend the seed implants...

guess the only way is to read read read and hear about others experiences...are you happy with the cryo?

finbar

Age Limit
I received the same inforamtion that there is a cutoff at age 74
for radical prostate surgery. Hormone, radiation and seeding were
recommended. I said no and sought another diagnosis. Recommendation:
okay to proceed if cardiologist givdes clearance.
I was 83 at the time, got the clearance, had a robotic prostectomy
and now 1-1/2 years later, I'm doing great. Bear in mind I had no
heart problem and was most anxious to get "it" out. PSA now 0.1

finbar

Age Limit
I received the same inforamtion that there is a cutoff at age 74
for radical prostate surgery. Hormone, radiation and seeding were
recommended. I said no and sought another diagnosis. Recommendation:
okay to proceed if cardiologist givdes clearance.
I was 83 at the time, got the clearance, had a robotic prostectomy
and now 1-1/2 years later, I'm doing great. Bear in mind I had no
heart problem and was most anxious to get "it" out. PSA now 0.1

finbar

Age Limit
I received the same inforamtion that there is a cutoff at age 74
for radical prostate surgery. Hormone, radiation and seeding were
recommended. I said no and sought another diagnosis. Recommendation:
okay to proceed if cardiologist givdes clearance.
I was 83 at the time, got the clearance, had a robotic prostectomy
and now 1-1/2 years later, I'm doing great. Bear in mind I had no
heart problem and was most anxious to get "it" out. PSA now 0.1

Trew

finbar said:

Age Limit
I received the same inforamtion that there is a cutoff at age 74
for radical prostate surgery. Hormone, radiation and seeding were
recommended. I said no and sought another diagnosis. Recommendation:
okay to proceed if cardiologist givdes clearance.
I was 83 at the time, got the clearance, had a robotic prostectomy
and now 1-1/2 years later, I'm doing great. Bear in mind I had no
heart problem and was most anxious to get "it" out. PSA now 0.1

There is a man in our church
There is a man in our church still playing racketball at 86. He is a lawyer and works full time every day. I share this because age limits belong to a medical system that doesn't value human life as it should. that is my opinion. Finbar- you are an encouragement to all of us moving past the age of 60. thanks for pushing the bar up a bit for all of us.

Trew

Dear daughter, a gleason of
Dear daughter, a gleason of 8, 9, 10 is serious stuff.

I can't tell you how many times at both 8 and 9 I have heard the words "aggressive" from doctors discussing my cancer with me. I am afraid "they" will want to give him the old hormone shot. I do pray your father may find a way around that treatment. And family support is of great value right now.

Ralphie62

Trew said:

Dear daughter, a gleason of
Dear daughter, a gleason of 8, 9, 10 is serious stuff.

I can't tell you how many times at both 8 and 9 I have heard the words "aggressive" from doctors discussing my cancer with me. I am afraid "they" will want to give him the old hormone shot. I do pray your father may find a way around that treatment. And family support is of great value right now.

proton
My husband just completed proton therapy at the university of Fl with excellent results...you should look into it and see if your father qualifies. There are little or no side effects, although the treatment takes 6-8 weeks. Most insurance covers it, and it is safe for people who are not surgery candidates. My husband was a gleason 6, upgraded to 7 when they re read his pathology at UFL.....i thing weight can be an issue, but one of my husband's buddies was a really big guy....i would say over 300....he had to recieve the beam bilat instead of alt sides as they usually do....you should look into it....no one will really steer you toward it. "Trew" encouraged us and we will be eternally grateful. I can't tell you how many men were there for second line treatment after prostatectomy failed. Most had good gleasons and were not advanced stage.....you can email me at lisaspride@aol.com if i can help you with this......ralphie,s wife

ps....i just called fla proton and a gleason of 8-9 is still treatable. Also, their weight limit is 350#, so he could be treated without the risks of major surgery.....just google fla proton and they'll send you a packet/ information

daughter27

finbar said:

Age Limit
I received the same inforamtion that there is a cutoff at age 74
for radical prostate surgery. Hormone, radiation and seeding were
recommended. I said no and sought another diagnosis. Recommendation:
okay to proceed if cardiologist givdes clearance.
I was 83 at the time, got the clearance, had a robotic prostectomy
and now 1-1/2 years later, I'm doing great. Bear in mind I had no
heart problem and was most anxious to get "it" out. PSA now 0.1

age limit
Finbar,

Glad to hear that you are doing so well and that they gave you the clearance with 83 I think when you are in good health and its come to that point, then why not. Age sometimes is "just a number" ...In fact I just lost an online friend who would have turned 105 in September. I know people younger that are much older than her...Continued good health to you..

My Dad is basically of the mind set that if its going to be a problem then...just get it out. But lets see what the specialist say. He just got the results from the latest biopsy and this time it was 2 + 2 = 4 ...naturally the Dr. says this is all about the location etc... the last one was a 3+3=6....

so I will continue to update and see where this takes us..

Thank you

daughter27

Trew said:

Dear daughter, a gleason of
Dear daughter, a gleason of 8, 9, 10 is serious stuff.

I can't tell you how many times at both 8 and 9 I have heard the words "aggressive" from doctors discussing my cancer with me. I am afraid "they" will want to give him the old hormone shot. I do pray your father may find a way around that treatment. And family support is of great value right now.

Gleason of 8 was a false number
Thanks so much Trew...the Gleason of 8 was fortunately misinformation. In relaying info my Dad confused the Gleason with the PSA...terrified me...

Old Gleason was 6...new one is 4...I am due in next week to the states and we will go to get a second opinion...hoping all will be good...

I heard that the hormone shots were truly terrible...so I hope it doesn't come to that either...

thank you Trew... I will continue to keep updating...I appreciate everyones support and knowledge...

daughter27

Ralphie62 said:

proton
My husband just completed proton therapy at the university of Fl with excellent results...you should look into it and see if your father qualifies. There are little or no side effects, although the treatment takes 6-8 weeks. Most insurance covers it, and it is safe for people who are not surgery candidates. My husband was a gleason 6, upgraded to 7 when they re read his pathology at UFL.....i thing weight can be an issue, but one of my husband's buddies was a really big guy....i would say over 300....he had to recieve the beam bilat instead of alt sides as they usually do....you should look into it....no one will really steer you toward it. "Trew" encouraged us and we will be eternally grateful. I can't tell you how many men were there for second line treatment after prostatectomy failed. Most had good gleasons and were not advanced stage.....you can email me at lisaspride@aol.com if i can help you with this......ralphie,s wife

ps....i just called fla proton and a gleason of 8-9 is still treatable. Also, their weight limit is 350#, so he could be treated without the risks of major surgery.....just google fla proton and they'll send you a packet/ information

proton..
Ralphie62/Lisapride...

Thank you very much for the encouragement...as you may now know the Gleason of 8 was a false number...so although the recent biopsy was 4 ...6 was the last one...

I will contact the proton office...all that I have read so far it seems to be a really great option...so it would be good to know more, and probably won't learn so much about it from the hospital...In fact you have motivated me to get info packets sent to Dad's to go over once I am home...its a great idea...

thank you so much..and I am glad to hear that the treatment was a success for your husband....

I will continue to update on here..

daughter27

daughter27 said:

ps
ps at his biopsy last summer only one of one core contains cancer

Update on latest Biopsy
Dad opted to have the second biopsy as planned.

This time he said they did it in a different manner...the first time he was placed in stirups ...with this measurement he got 3+3=6, this time he lay on his left side and got 2+2= 4. Naturally we realise this doesn't mean that it is going away, but that was taken at a different area.

I will be home next week and will go to the cancer hospital with Dad for a second opinion when I am home. We will then take it from there...

I will continue to keep you all up to date and wish you all continued good health...your information and support is making all this much easier to deal with...I sincerely that each and everyone of you...

daughter27

Trew said:

There is a man in our church
There is a man in our church still playing racketball at 86. He is a lawyer and works full time every day. I share this because age limits belong to a medical system that doesn't value human life as it should. that is my opinion. Finbar- you are an encouragement to all of us moving past the age of 60. thanks for pushing the bar up a bit for all of us.

Man at your church and pushing the age barrier..
Trew...very right you are...age is not the same for every person and shouldn't dictate who is covered for what...

Trew

daughter27 said:

Gleason of 8 was a false number
Thanks so much Trew...the Gleason of 8 was fortunately misinformation. In relaying info my Dad confused the Gleason with the PSA...terrified me...

Old Gleason was 6...new one is 4...I am due in next week to the states and we will go to get a second opinion...hoping all will be good...

I heard that the hormone shots were truly terrible...so I hope it doesn't come to that either...

thank you Trew... I will continue to keep updating...I appreciate everyones support and knowledge...

Proton is a very good option
If the Gleason is only a 4 or a 6, I doubt there would be any need for hormone shots. Hormone shots are the treatment of choice for old men, but I don't see why your dad would not benefit from proton and avoid all those naty after efects that some of us end up getting from surgery and regular radiation.

I met a lot of very happy proton patients at Loma Linda. I really wanted to be one of them.

I wish your dad well.