PSA level & Erections

[veganman]

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in October of 2003 at the age of 43 with a PSA of 20.9. I decided to treat it with external radiation, seed implant and had two years of Zoladex injections. It has been nearly six months since I stopped the Zoladex injections. The PSA was basically zero during the time I was one the injections. Two weeks ago I received my new baseline PSA result, it was 0.6. The urologist said that they would be watching close and hoped that it would remain low. He also said that if the level increased three consecutive times that that would be cause for concern because it might indicate that the cancer has returned.

Can anyone provide any insight as to how often that kind of thing happens? Is it strictly based upon each individual? Everything else seems to be going well, i.e. urine flow, not pain, etc.

Also, my erections are getting better but there are still times when it is difficult to maintain to completion. I have tried Levitra and Cialis. They both seem to work well for me but sometimes I do just as well on my own. Is six months too early to expect a return to normal erections? Is it possible that what I am currently experiencing will be the best I can hope for?

Any advise!

[bghjul]

Sounds like you have been in treatment for the past two years. I've tried the injection and have not had a satisfactory response. My doctor wrote me a script for a stronger mixture. I might try it. I hate sticking myself and not getting any results. I've been told that after surgery it can take to one year to a year and half to regain erections after nerve sparing surgery. I'm not sure what the time line is for seed therapy. you may want to asked the doctor. Did your injection provide you with what you needed?
Keep Trying.

[positive4u]

veganman-you don't have to answer this, but why at your age, did you decide on radiation therapy? What did your biopsy reveal?
Positive4u

[veganman]

The Biopsy showed four areas inside the prostate that were cancerous. I had a scan to check to see if it had spread outside, it had not. As far as choosing the radiation it was a tough choice to make. But the radiation treatment, external and seed implant seemed to be the one that gave the best chance for regaining total function. I really wasn’t in favor of surgery either.

The place were I received treatment had not seen very many men my age that had developed prostate cancer. So, I really did not have anyone to discuss the issue with. The oncologist felt that the combination external and seed implant had the best success rate for such an aggressive cancer. My PSA was 20.9 when cancer was detected.

I am hoping for a long full life and wanted the best chance possible to regain as much as possible. It may sound selfish but I have a pretty wife that I want to please for years to come.

[3sweeties2005]

Veganman,

Just curious what was the gleason score on your biopsy? And why would they start hormonal therapy after radiation which was meant to be curative treatment?

My fil had a psa of 100 and gleason of 9 and even before the ct scan confirmed that the lymph nodes were + the surgeon had told him with such a high gleason and high psa that the probability the cancer was confined was almost nil.


A.