Re: Next Step Thoughts?

[Guest guest]

You might want to request that the next sample for PSA testing go to two different labs simultaneously to rule out lab variations. The next treatment step would be ADT therapy, with all of the dreadful side effects. So ruling out lab variations would be most prudent before undertaking ADT therapy. The old-fashioned perineal method has the advantages of recovery time comparable to that of robotic surgery and less chance of damage to the urinary sphincter!Louis. . . . To: ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Thu, January 7, 2010 9:25:49 AMSubject: Next Step Thoughts?

I was diagnosed 3/07 at age 53 Gleason 6 (3+3) , 2Tc, PSA 7.4. Had Perineal Prostatectomy - 5/22/2007 no change in pathology and post PSA went to 0.51 in 6/07, to 0.28 8/07, then 0.41 11/07, and 0.54 12/07. Uro had me go through 33 IMRT treatments from 1/08-3/08

and PSA got to 0.1 by the end of 08. Through 2009 it has slowly risen from 0.12 to 0.17 and this week to 0.24. I haven't talked to my Uro yet, but he was holding to the 'wait and see' theory. Just wondering what the groups' thoughts are on what and when should my next steps be?

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Hadn't thought of a 2nd different lab for the test. Thanks

Subject: Re: Next Step Thoughts?To: ProstateCancerSupport Date: Thursday, January 7, 2010, 2:47 PM

You might want to request that the next sample for PSA testing go to two different labs simultaneously to rule out lab variations. The next treatment step would be ADT therapy, with all of the dreadful side effects. So ruling out lab variations would be most prudent before undertaking ADT therapy. The old-fashioned perineal method has the advantages of recovery time comparable to that of robotic surgery and less chance of damage to the urinary sphincter!Louis. . . .

From: Bechtold <mickeybbpbyahoo (DOT) com>To: ProstateCancerSuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) comSent: Thu, January 7, 2010 9:25:49 AMSubject: [ProstateCancerSupp ort] Next Step Thoughts?

I was diagnosed 3/07 at age 53 Gleason 6 (3+3) , 2Tc, PSA 7.4. Had Perineal Prostatectomy - 5/22/2007 no change in pathology and post PSA went to 0.51 in 6/07, to 0.28 8/07, then 0.41 11/07, and 0.54 12/07. Uro had me go through 33 IMRT treatments from 1/08-3/08 and PSA got to 0.1 by the end of 08. Through 2009 it has slowly risen from 0.12 to 0.17 and this week to 0.24. I haven't talked to my Uro yet, but he was holding to the 'wait and see' theory. Just wondering what the groups' thoughts are on what and when should my next steps be?

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Not a good idea, you want to stay with the same lab and make sure each PSA test is using the same reagents.  The type of reagent used is listed on the lab report.  If you have been using the same lab and the same  reagents then it looks as if you have moved on to the world of advanced PC. 

Traditionally, the next step would be hormone therapy, cadodex 50mg for 10 days then a lupron/zoladex shot.  You also might want to get a baseline testosterone level prior to starting ADT.  You should think about moving your care to a medical oncologist who is a specialist in treating prostate cancer. 

Malecare also runs an on-line support group specific for advanced prostate cancer, you can join by going to: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/advancedprostatecancer/join

 

Hadn't thought of a 2nd different lab for the test. Thanks

Subject: Re: Next Step Thoughts?

To: ProstateCancerSupport Date: Thursday, January 7, 2010, 2:47 PM

 

You might want to request that the next sample for PSA testing go to two different labs simultaneously to rule out lab variations. The next treatment step would be ADT therapy, with all of the dreadful side effects. So ruling out lab variations would be most prudent before undertaking ADT therapy. The old-fashioned perineal method has the advantages of recovery time comparable to that of robotic surgery and less chance of damage to the urinary sphincter!

Louis. . . .

From: Bechtold <mickeybbpbyahoo (DOT) com>To: ProstateCancerSuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) comSent: Thu, January 7, 2010 9:25:49 AM

Subject: [ProstateCancerSupp ort] Next Step Thoughts? 

I was diagnosed 3/07 at age 53 Gleason 6 (3+3) , 2Tc, PSA 7.4. Had Perineal Prostatectomy - 5/22/2007  no change in pathology and post PSA went to 0.51 in 6/07, to 0.28 8/07, then 0.41 11/07, and 0.54 12/07. Uro had me go through 33 IMRT treatments from 1/08-3/08 and PSA got to 0.1 by the end of 08. Through 2009 it has slowly risen from 0.12 to 0.17 and this week to 0.24.  I haven't talked to my Uro yet, but he was holding to the 'wait and see' theory. Just wondering what the groups' thoughts are on what and when should my next steps be?

 

Thanks

-- T Nowak MA, MSWDirector for Advocacy and  Advanced Prostate Cancer Programs, Malecare Inc. Men Fighting Cancer TogetherSurvivor - Thyroid, Recurrent Prostate and Renal Cancers

www.advancedprostatecancer.net - A blog about advanced and recurrent prostate cancerwww.malecare.com - information and support about prostate cancer

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/advancedprostatecancer/ - an online support group for men and their families diagnosed with advanced and recurrent prostate cancer

[Guest guest]

I was not advocating switching of labs, but rather suggestion of separate independent tests of the same blood draw as a check on the labs. For long term followup, the same lab is, of course, necessary for tracking of progression history. The suggestion below of consulting a urology that specializes in prostate cancer treatment is, of course, also strongly recommended.Louis. . . . To: ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Thu, January 7, 2010 3:55:26 PMSubject: Re: Next Step Thoughts?

Not a good idea, you want to stay with the same lab and make sure each PSA test is using the same reagents. The type of reagent used is listed on the lab report. If you have been using the same lab and the same reagents then it looks as if you have moved on to the world of advanced PC.

Traditionally, the next step would be hormone therapy, cadodex 50mg for 10 days then a lupron/zoladex shot. You also might want to get a baseline testosterone level prior to starting ADT. You should think about moving your care to a medical oncologist who is a specialist in treating prostate cancer.

Malecare also runs an on-line support group specific for advanced prostate cancer, you can join by going to: http://health. groups.yahoo. com/group/ advancedprostate cancer/join

On Thu, Jan 7, 2010 at 3:10 PM, Bechtold <mickeybbpbyahoo (DOT) com> wrote:

Hadn't thought of a 2nd different lab for the test. Thanks

From: Louis Carliner <lcarlineryahoo (DOT) com>Subject: Re: [ProstateCancerSupp ort] Next Step Thoughts?

To: ProstateCancerSuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) comDate: Thursday, January 7, 2010, 2:47 PM

You might want to request that the next sample for PSA testing go to two different labs simultaneously to rule out lab variations. The next treatment step would be ADT therapy, with all of the dreadful side effects. So ruling out lab variations would be most prudent before undertaking ADT therapy. The old-fashioned perineal method has the advantages of recovery time comparable to that of robotic surgery and less chance of damage to the urinary sphincter!

Louis. . . .

From: Bechtold <mickeybbpbyahoo (DOT) com>To: ProstateCancerSuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) comSent: Thu, January 7, 2010 9:25:49 AM

Subject: [ProstateCancerSupp ort] Next Step Thoughts?

I was diagnosed 3/07 at age 53 Gleason 6 (3+3) , 2Tc, PSA 7.4. Had Perineal Prostatectomy - 5/22/2007 no change in pathology and post PSA went to 0.51 in 6/07, to 0.28 8/07, then 0.41 11/07, and 0.54 12/07. Uro had me go through 33 IMRT treatments from 1/08-3/08 and PSA got to 0.1 by the end of 08. Through 2009 it has slowly risen from 0.12 to 0.17 and this week to 0.24. I haven't talked to my Uro yet, but he was holding to the 'wait and see' theory. Just wondering what the groups' thoughts are on what and when should my next steps be?

Thanks

-- T Nowak MA, MSWDirector for Advocacy and Advanced Prostate Cancer Programs, Malecare Inc. Men Fighting Cancer TogetherSurvivor - Thyroid, Recurrent Prostate and Renal Cancers

www.advancedprostat ecancer.net - A blog about advanced and recurrent prostate cancerwww.malecare. com - information and support about prostate cancer

http://health. groups.yahoo. com/group/ advancedprostate cancer/ - an online support group for men and their families diagnosed with advanced and recurrent prostate cancer

[Guest guest]

I am not a physician, and without knowing all of the details of your situation, it seems to me you've got "something" going on. It may be the Uro has done all that he can. I suggest a consultation with a Medical Oncologist. If it were me, I'd do it sooner rather than later.

Just my $0.02. Good luck with your decision! I wish you well.

Coy

, MI

Next Step Thoughts?

I was diagnosed 3/07 at age 53 Gleason 6 (3+3) , 2Tc, PSA 7.4. Had Perineal Prostatectomy - 5/22/2007 no change in pathology and post PSA went to 0.51 in 6/07, to 0.28 8/07, then 0.41 11/07, and 0.54 12/07. Uro had me go through 33 IMRT treatments from 1/08-3/08 and PSA got to 0.1 by the end of 08. Through 2009 it has slowly risen from 0.12 to 0.17 and this week to 0.24. I haven't talked to my Uro yet, but he was holding to the 'wait and see' theory. Just wondering what the groups' thoughts are on what and when should my next steps be?

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Louis,

I don't agree that ADT necessarily has dreadful side effects. For me, only the half stone weight gain has been an issue. Had I the inclination to cut red wine out of my diet, I'd quickly reverse that weight gain. But that would be cutting off my nose to spite my face...

To: ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Thursday, 7 January, 2010 19:47:08Subject: Re: Next Step Thoughts?

You might want to request that the next sample for PSA testing go to two different labs simultaneously to rule out lab variations. The next treatment step would be ADT therapy, with all of the dreadful side effects. So ruling out lab variations would be most prudent before undertaking ADT therapy. The old-fashioned perineal method has the advantages of recovery time comparable to that of robotic surgery and less chance of damage to the urinary sphincter!Louis. . . .

From: Bechtold <mickeybbpbyahoo (DOT) com>To: ProstateCancerSuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) comSent: Thu, January 7, 2010 9:25:49 AMSubject: [ProstateCancerSupp ort] Next Step Thoughts?

I was diagnosed 3/07 at age 53 Gleason 6 (3+3) , 2Tc, PSA 7.4. Had Perineal Prostatectomy - 5/22/2007 no change in pathology and post PSA went to 0.51 in 6/07, to 0.28 8/07, then 0.41 11/07, and 0.54 12/07. Uro had me go through 33 IMRT treatments from 1/08-3/08 and PSA got to 0.1 by the end of 08. Through 2009 it has slowly risen from 0.12 to 0.17 and this week to 0.24. I haven't talked to my Uro yet, but he was holding to the 'wait and see' theory. Just wondering what the groups' thoughts are on what and when should my next steps be?

Thanks