YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

PLATINUM

Frank Tarantino and Kay live in Pennsylvania, USA. He was 55 when he was diagnosed in March,1993 His initial PSA was 4.8 ng/ml and his Gleason Score was 3+4= 7. He does not state his staging but it was likely T1c. His choice of treatment was Surgery - Prostatectomy. Here is his story:

Had Surgery in July 1993, with a result of suspicious margins. Several months after RP my PSA was about 0.5 ng/ml so I underwent Radiation Therapy [RT] 3 times a week for about 12 weeks.

About a year after RT my PSA bottomed out at undetectable.

About 1995 my PSA started a very slow upward climb. My doubling time was typically about 2 to 3 years. I have had several bone scans, MRI'S, Cat Scans, etc over the years and all were clean. At my choice I have avoided Hormone THerapy. My decision was to start it if any tests showed metastasis or doubling time dropped below 1 year.

My latest PSA [December 2007] was 26.0 ng/ml and doubling time was about 14 months so I will be starting hormone therapy [HT] soon.

The only symptoms I have had over the 13+ years is an irritable bladder probably from the RT and some occasional minor incontinence. I have handled the normal impotence problems associated with my treatments by using a VED. It has been quite effective. I don't particularly recommend my course of action for others---the conventional wisdom now is to start HT much earlier, but I am happy with the choice I made.

 

UPDATED

March 2008

 

In December of 2006 I was still on "WATCHFUL WAITING' with a PSA in the high 20's and a doubling time of 14 months. This was about 15 years after initial treatment.

In April 2007 my PSA climbed to 35 and doubling time was about 10 months so I started 4 month Lupron injection and one Casodex pill every day. I am almost one year on Hormone therapy now and my PSA is down to 0.1. I have encountered the usual side effects of hot flashes, loss of libido , low energy. etc but I have been able to tolerate them.

Life continues normally-we spent 2 weeks in Italy in September and 2 weeks in Florida in February this year. In October I had problems with blood clots in urine and blocked bladder. I had a bladder neck opening procedure; it was blocked by scar tissue from radiation treatment.

 

UPDATED

May 2009

 

 

Well it is a little past my 16th anniversary of diagnosis so I thought it time to update.

Had some success with the Hormone Therapy for 2 years with my PSA reaching a nadir of 0.1 about a year ago. Then it was at 0.2 for three successive readings and the last reading was 0.6. Looks like I am probably getting Hormone Resistant.

Had first consult with an Oncologist yesterday---he wants to wait for next PSA [in July] before taking action. He also ordered Bone Scan and Pelvic CT.

I WILL UPDATE AGAIN IN ABOUT A YEAR. I INTEND TO BE AROUND FOR SEVERAL AFTER THAT.