Looking for Direction

cgealy
cgealy Member Posts: 4 Member
edited October 2023 in Prostate Cancer #1

My spouse has recurrent prostate cancer after prostatectomy in 2014. The scan revealed that the prostate bed and two lymph nodes “lit up.” He is a heavy smoker but otherwise very active and strong. I am terrified he has metastatic cancer. We have an appointment with the radiation oncologist 10/24. Just looking for some direction. Thanks.

Comments

  • cgealy
    cgealy Member Posts: 4 Member

    He’s 63 BTW.

  • Rob.Ski
    Rob.Ski Member Posts: 171 Member

    What was his treatment history? Sounds like salvage radiation may be in his future. I have no experience there but, many on this site do. Hopefully he's a candidate and this treatment will be effective.

    Best of luck.

  • cgealy
    cgealy Member Posts: 4 Member

    He just had surgical intervention to remove the prostate. No other treatment. He got periodic PSA's done and when it started rising last year they started ordering the scans. This is the first time an appreciable difference was detected.

  • Clevelandguy
    Clevelandguy Member Posts: 1,177 Member

    Hi,

    Sorry to hear about his re-occurring cancer. Like Rob.ski said I would think some form of radiation plus ADT might be his next step. Radiation could be very successful since they have found the cancer on a scan. If it was me I would want a PMSA PET scan plus a bone scan looking for further cancer spots. Find em, zap em, get on with life. Good luck…………

    Dave 3+4

  • cgealy
    cgealy Member Posts: 4 Member

    Thank you I believe he had the PMSA which is what detected the nodal involvement. He is unwilling to do any hormonal treatment as he is more concerned with maintaining QOL rather than quantity. I, of course, want both. We are just finishing building our dream home and it will mean nothing if he is not here to share it with me. We also have a lot of traveling we want to do. He wants us to explore our beautiful country (USA) together. So we have a lot of living we want to do together. He seems to be willing to do Rad tx as long as the doctor doesn't give him any QOL issue he hasn't thought of.

  • Clevelandguy
    Clevelandguy Member Posts: 1,177 Member

    Hi,

    I understand his concern on the ADT, some have nasty side effects. If I ever reach the point of reoccurrence I don’t know if I would do ADT. ADT will not kill the cancer but weaken it so the radiation is more effective. Hopefully something will come along that is as effective as ADT with minimal side effects. The radiation should be very effective against his metastatic cancer.

    Dave 3+4