John
& Evonne Macpherson live in West Vancouver, Canada. John was 70 when diagnosed
in October 2002. His initial PSA was 8.0 ng/ml with a Gleason of 3+3=6. His stage
was T1c. He is currently undecided about his treatment choice.
John's
story:
My
story is in it's infancy, having just learned of my problem. I have had PSA tests
with some regularity for the past several years. Results: have been '96---3.0;
'98---4.5; '00---6.5; '02---8.0. Digital exams have not been performed during
this period but, in any event, reveal little, if any, abnormality now. Only symptom
experienced was having to get up a couple of times during the night which I attrituted
to advancing age.
Because
of my elevated PSA, my Family Doctor arranged an appointment with a Urologist
who, following ultrasound & 6 sample biopsy, advises there is a low grade
T1 cancer present. Surgery is not an option because of my previous major medical
procedures(Aorta/Bifemoral bipass as well as left femoral popiteal bipass).
I
am now awaiting an appointment at the Cancer Clinic for further assessment &
advice on future treatment.
I
am very greatful for the availability of the information on this web site.
 |
Update
November 23, 2002 |
John
now has a PSA of 9.9 ng/ml. He was undecided initially but has elected to begin
Brachytherapy
His
updated story:
Today's
trip to the Cancer Clinic and a PSA of 9.9 ng/ml (up from 8.0 ng/ml in August)helped
to make the decision to receive treatment now. As mentioned earlier, previous
major operations precluded surgery and, for much the same reason, external radiation
was not considered appropriate by the Radiation Oncologist. With the PSA rising
rapidly,Watchful Waiting was considered somewhat risky since the protocol here
eliminates the Brachytherpy option when the PSA exceeds 15 ng/ml.
Hormonal
therapy was started today and will continue for 90 days during which time it is
expected the prostate will return to near normal size and can then be permanently
implanted with radioactive Iodine sources.
While
the results remain to be experienced, it's as well to have the decision behind
me.
 |
Update
March 31, 2003 |
John's
PSA is now 0.24 ng/ml. He originally chose Brachytherapy but continues with hormone
therapy.
John's story/update:
In February 2003 I attended Cancer Clinic & Radiation Oncologist. They did
an Ultra-Sound examination to learn the prostate, despite expected high probabilities,
had not shrunk to an acceptable size to allow radioactive implantation. The Clinic's
protocol is a maximum volume of 50cc in order to qualify for Brachytherapy. My
measurement was 70cc. Ordinarily they would look to alternative treatment such
as external radiation, however, having regard for extensive vascular bi-passes
in the groin area already in place, radiation or surgery are not considered as
options.
In
the circumstances, hormone therapy will be continued for another 3 months in the
hope of better results. Unfortunately experience with this approach has only a
25% probability. The good news is that my PSA has come down from 9.9 ng/ml to
0.24 ng/ml.
John
is now 71 and his PSA is 0.13 ng/ml.
Here
is his update:
Great
news ....attended Cancer Clinic May 14th and learned prostate volume had been
reduced to 55ccs and that it was now possible to do the Brachytherapy procedure.
This
was performed without difficulty on June 26th under local anaesthetic. Took about
90 minutes followed by 3 hours in recovery after which I was allowed to go home.
Next
day I was able to resume all normal activities and experienced no discomfort or
pain at all. In the following 2 weeks I had some difficulty with urination at
night. This was alleviated by increasing the Hytrin medication from 5 to 10mgs.
CT Scan will be done July 25th followed by lab work, X-rays and discussion with
the Oncologst on August 7th.
I
need not say the results so far have been beyond every hope and expectation.
I
attended the Cancer Clinic on August 7 2003 and received a generally excellent
report.
PSA was at <0.02 which, in the Clinic's terms, is "imperceptible". Doctor suggested
I experiment with adjusted doses of Flomax varing the amount between .4 & .8 mgs
per day and also the time from morning to evening in an effort to improve urination
flow.
Over
the ensuing months all symptoms have gradually improved to a point, where, I now
only experence occasional hot flushes/sweats, usually in the evening while nocturnal
urination is has improved to about every 2 hours. Have no related problems during
the day. Discontinued Flomax January 25 2003 without adverse affect.
It
is now 8 months post Brachytherapy--attended the Cancer Clinic February 20 2004
and Oncologist advises recovery is as anticipated--results thus far are good.
PSA is <0.02 & DRE indicates satisfactory progress. Minor symptoms of occasional
hot flushes/sweats as well as nocturnal urination frequency should improve as
testosterone production increases in the weeks ahead. Will have next PSA test
in 6 months.
What
was a worrisome health problem seems to have been left behind for which I'm most
grateful.
It
is now 14 months since 147 radioactive seeds were implanted and treatment has
met every hope and expectation.
PSA
continues to be imperceptable at less than <0.02 ng/ml and, all in in all, there
is little in the way of complaint. Testosterone level remains low so continue
to have ocasional sweats mostly in the evening. Additionally, urination frequency
at night is about every 2 hours and flow tends to be slow. All are considered
minor inconveniences. I'm advised this should improve with time but, even if it
doesn't, I'm very grateful at this stage of my recovery.
Some
20 months after having had seed implants, my DRE is 'normal' and the PSA continues
to be low and stable. Testosterone levels are once again satisfactory and, apart
from a somewhat restricted urine flow, all is well. I still have reduced capacity
and find it necessary to use the facilities fairly often particularly at night---as
often as every 2-3 hours. While a bit of a nusiance it's something I'm glad to
be able to report!
The
Doctor feels reasonably certain I'm now cancer free but will continue to monitor
me every 6 months.
SADLY
JOHN PASSED AWAY IN APRIL 2005 AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED WITH PANCREATIC CANCER IN
MARCH 2005. THE SPECIALISTS ASSURED HIM THAT THE TWO DISEASES WERE NOT CONNECTED
IN ANY WAY.
