Pain n prostate 20 months after radiation treatments

Pelon
Pelon Member Posts: 3 Member
edited December 2022 in Prostate Cancer #1

Hello,

I'm 58, had a 3+4=7 Gleason score 12.4 PSA, .50 inch tumor in prostate.

Had the 30 radiation treatments, my PSA only went down to 1.24 at 12 months, then 4 months later 1.44 then 4 months later 1.64 and now 1.85.

They did a CT scan, found nothing "definite" am going to have PSMA scan in a month.

I'm having sharp and dull pains in my prostate 4-5 days a week. My Oncologist wanted to start Hormone therapy, but since I've had 2 heart attacks, 2 stents put in, newly diagnosed with Cardio micro-vascular disease, my cardiologist said "absolutely" not to the hormone therapy.

I guess my question is can the cancer be re-growing in the prostate? My oncologist said "maybe"

Most of his answers seem so "political" and I always get the, "everyone's cancer/treatment is different" or "everyone reacts differently"...blah...blah...blah...

Now they are saying a double Orchiectomy, with maybe a very small dose of hormones. He said having the prostate removed now is not a good idea.

It's all so confusing.

Any insights or experiences with similar symptoms would be appriciated.

M²

Comments

  • Clevelandguy
    Clevelandguy Member Posts: 1,177 Member
    #2

    Hi,

    Kinda agree with your doctor, every cancer case is different based on the size, location and aggressiveness of the tumor. Results unfortunately can also vary based on the above criteria. Depending on what type of radiation you had there could be live Prostate tissue left inside your body which are generating PSA. From what I know about radiation you will have some PSA reading but it should stabilize after a time. A PET scan could pick up any new cancer if there is any. Chemical castration with drugs is common practice to weaken the remaining cancer cells along with some sort of other treatment. Removal of your testicles will also weaken your cancer cells by removing testosterone. If you don’t feel confident in your doctor(s) line of treatment I would go for a second opinion.

    Dave 3+4

  • Pelon
    Pelon Member Posts: 3 Member
    #3
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1701905#Comment_1701905

    Thanks.

    I've decided to do nothing, and just wait. Will get my PSA checked every 3 months and see where it goes in the next few years. They can't cure it, so why worry about it all the time? I could live another 10 years just fine. I'm not going to jump through all these B.S. hoops, all the while the "treatments" make me feel crappier and just remind me of the cancer.

    I'm going to roll the dice....and live my life!


    M²

  • Clevelandguy
    Clevelandguy Member Posts: 1,177 Member
    #4

    Hi,

    Its your decision as you have stated but if you pick a treatment plan with the least amount of side effects it could extend your life hopefully more than 10 yrs. In my humble non medical opinion removing your testies could be a better choice than the side effects from the ADT drugs with the same result of lowering your testosterone. I know if my cancer returns I will pick the treatment plans with the least amount of side effects to your point. At 70 yrs. I hope with the help of medical science I can add on more than 10 yrs. to my life. Just my opinion and you know what they say about opinions, good luck with your future.

    I have included a link to an article about surgical vs drug induced castration.

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7145732/

    Dave 3+4

  • Old Salt
    Old Salt Member Posts: 1,505 Member
    #5

    I hope that the PSMA scan will show 'nothing' as well. In the meantime, live your life and enjoy the holidays.

  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama Member Posts: 3,701 Member
    edited December 2022 #6

    Hi Pelon,

    I wonder if you have considered Lymphoedema as the cause of the pain.

    This occurs in occasional PCa RT therapies that involve the radiation of the local lymph nodes.

    Lymphoedema is swelling in soft tissue caused by damage of a lymph node or lymph vessels (due to radiation), that creates lymph fluid which may have not be drain properly, growing into a sort of "sack" and causing pain in the lower abdomen or groing area.

    Treating is easy by tying it up but it involves cutting to reach the place. You can let it drain by itself but it takes time.

    Best,

    VG

  • Old Salt
    Old Salt Member Posts: 1,505 Member
    #7

    Vasco's suggestion seems like a good one and should be investigated further with the help of a specialist.

  • Pelon
    Pelon Member Posts: 3 Member
    #8

    I have pain in the prostate, AND pain in the left groin lymph node, went to my PCD and he went feeling around and when I said OUCH, he said yes it was the lymph node but he didn't feel any lumps, swelling or abnormalities.

    Then had the CT scan and the lymph nodes were "unremarkable"

    Still have soreness in the left lymph node AND the prostate.

    Will have to wait and see after the PET scan in January.

    Thanks for the suggestions.

    M²

  • Nudels2u
    Nudels2u Member Posts: 2 *
    #9
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/325939/pain-n-prostate-20-months-after-radiation-treatments

    Your treatment is different than mine, I had the Robotic Prostate Removed, and then, I had the 38 External Beam Radiation Treatments, I also had severe pain for over 9 months, My arms/legs/muscles, and it would circulate around and change weekly. I had 2 of the 6 month LUPRON injections which I think created all of my horrific pain. And the overall side effects that the injections caused were unbearable, The support group on FAKEBOOK patients claim the side effects last 2-3 years from last injection. I will never do another one of those Injections, I am just now starting to attempt to regain my Life almost back to a manageable state of mind. My PSA test result from MD Anderson in the Woodlands Texas was 0.1ng, which my Oncologist says is detectable-So I have Cancer again now. January 2023 my Oncologist want to get with their team and figure out what treatment plan's would be available for me, so we could get started.

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