My BIL was diagnosed with PC early November 2006. It was discovered in a routine blood work. His PSA 28 and Gleason 4+3. He had a bone scan, chest x-ray and CT. His GP said all was good.

The next day he went to his uro Dr. He told my BIL that with numbers that high, it must have spread. He agreed that all the scans looked good. But he also said that cancer has to be the size of a peanut before it is seen. And he is pretty sure that it is there, just not visible yet.

The Uro recommended Hormone therapy and then radiation. From my understanding, PC is controlled by hormone therapy when it is IN the prosate only. Will it also help when it has escaped?? Does the hormone therapy "choke" that part of the cancer as well?? And where does it usually go first from the prostate.

As with all of you, I just want this desease GONE! I am thinking that my BIL should still get the surgery. He is only 50. I understand from my readings that the surgery, if confined, can cure PC!?!? Well, what if the doc is wrong about it spreading? What if it can be cured here and now with surgery? Will hormone theapy cure it if it is confined?


UUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGG sooo many questions in my head.
Thankyou

I always suggest reading the book "Prostate Cancer Prevention and Cure" which is very comprehensive and very relevant for you.
Reason I say that is that the author, Lee Nelson used hormone therapy and radiation himself some years ago because he thought his PC put him at high risk.

Although it might not necessarily have spread, it could be high risk.
Generally radiation is a local treatment: Hormone therapy affects cancer throughout the body, so combined use gives a good chance of cure.

John

A lot of times hormone therapy is given before radiation to help shrink the tumour. It is not a cure. It starves the cancer of testosterone, which is what pc uses to grow.

I think radiation gives a very good chance of a cure. Your BIL should read everything he can get his hands on to make an informed decision. If he is not confident with his doctor's recommendation, by all means ask for a second opinion. We are in Canada also, and we had three opinions on my husband's CT scans (since the first two differed).