The Results are Back - Cancer: Prostate Message Board

mvenglass · 06-24-2003, 09:47 AM

I've posted here before about my Dad who is 52 that was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. His PSA was 204 and gleason score is 8. He had the CT-scan and bone scan which we got the results of yesterday. The good news is the cancer hasn't spread into his lymph nodes or any organs, but it has gone into several places in his bones.

His dr. is suggesting hormone therapy. We just found out yesterday and don't know exactly what we are going to do, we just know it will be a big battle. The dr. told my dad he has a life expectancy of 3-5 years.

So that's our bad news, I hope everyone else is doing well.

Melissa

KennyH · 06-26-2003, 02:40 PM

Sorry to hear the situation with your Dad. He will need all our prayers. Find good doctors for him which will be quite a task. Let us know his plans so maybe we can help.

Dave A · 06-26-2003, 07:18 PM

Hi Melissa,
I'm sorry to hear about your dad's diagnosis. Please do not loose hope. The 3 - 5 year survival estimate is only based upon general statistics. Many men beat the odds and live well beyond these predictions. Presently, there is no cure for disease with bone metastasis but with proper treatment, it can be driven into remission for many years. There are also a number of promising clinical trials being done which are directed at treating more advanced disease. Your dad should ask his doctor about these. In addition to this, never underestimate the power of prayer. God is still the best physician around.
Dave

mvenglass · 06-27-2003, 02:08 PM

Thank you all very much for the inspiration. We will not give up this fight. We have an appt. for a second opinion, in addition we have faxed the pathology report to a family member who works at UCLA and have emailed the results to a friend with the suggested treatment.

We're going to do all that we can do including a lot of prayers.

Ron, good luck with your surgery. I'm happy that you caught it in time to take care of it. I will be thinking of you on Wednesday. May this be a learning lesson to not keep this to yourself. Tell your kids, family members and friends so that they have the education to take care of themselves at an early age.

Melissa

hande · 06-28-2003, 05:44 AM

Dear Melissa,
You must be very much informed about your dad's illness. As much as you know, you can help your father with the doctors. Prostate Cancer as just we've been facing for nearly a year now, is a type of cancer with different treatments to decide on. The doctors will probably start on hormone therapy, so your father will be taking some pills possibly Casodex and a shot of possibly Zoladex periodically. As your dad's cancer has spread out to the bones and hormone therapy unfortunately weakens the bones a lot, he will be put on a biphosphonate probably.Please discuss with his onc.the biphosphonate ZOMETA which is a FDA approved drug by Novartis. This drug is taken every 28 days IV (posibly 4 mg.in the vein not less than 15 minutes of infusion).You can find all the info about it by the web site of the company. The biphosphonate will help your father's bones to strenghten. Also I've written on this board before that there is a support group which I've been a member for 10 months. They're really very educated and such nice people who also have PCa. I'd recommend you to be a member of this group. They have no financial benefits with their group.(phcagroups.org)

Hande