Can this be Prostate Cancer? Thread #2

[04chris]

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Hi all

(actually, the title of this should be "can this be prostate cancer bone metastasis?" -- sorry

Age = 68. I have had prostate cancer for probably >4 years. A little less than 3 years ago I had a radical prostatectomy (RP) (Gleason = 3+4). Six months after the RP my PSA = 25.0. Two and 1/2 years after the RP my PSA = 5.0. A set of monthly PSA tests showed a gradual decline to PSA = 5.0. (I have used a whole bunch of natural supplements and continued to take a full prescription of Androgel testosterone over this period.) A recent bone scan was negative. I begun having lower back pain. I went to an orthopedic doctor who prescribed an MRI. The results showed the L4-L5 region with severe central canal stenosis (narrowing), severe degeneration, and a cyst. Back pain has continued to increase.

Has anyone else on this board had a similar experience with MRI tests? Does this sound like I have PCa bone metastasis? I'll be seeing an oncologist this week and the orthopedist next week (I am looking forward to hearing their analysis).

[Baptista]

Chris

I think that you are posting what you belive to be happening, which seems to be; bone metastases. I would think the same. The high PSA post surgery could only be explained if the surgeon had "forgotten" any portion of prostate tissue before closing you up.
But 3 years later the PSA has droped and is still high. The MRI is also positive.

Your next vist to the oncologist will get you an answer. In any case, spot RT is possible and recommended by doctors to treat spot matastatic cancer in bone. This is usually successful and aliviates pain.
You may still prefer to get a more precise image study doing a PET scan with the newer contrast agents, before going through the RT. More spots may be found.

Hope for the best.
Baptista

[04chris]

Baptista,

Thank you for the input. I'm an avid gardener and have done a huge amount of lifting in my life. I'm hoping that the oncologist and orthopedist will conclude that I just have "old age" symptoms. If not, I'll pursue the spot RT, PET scans, and other possible pain solutions. (I was looking for a surgeon who could perform a spine transplant but haven't found one yet.)
My theory for the high PSA post surgery is that the Pca cells had escaped (The pathologist did find Pca cells outside of the gland in the seminal vesicles).

This healthboard on PC has really been helpful!

Thanks again -- Chris