PC
lives in California, USA. He was 64 when he was diagnosed on November 17, 2009.
His initial PSA was 5.4 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 3+3=6 and although he says
he was staged T2b, this seems likely to be his pathological staging - his clinical
stage was likely T1c. His choice of treatment was External beam radiation. Here
is his story.
Consultation with urologist and oncologist lead me to the
following:
1. Tumor is confined to prostate.
2. Considered not very
aggressive and minimal risk of mortality from cancer.
3. Biopsy: 12 samples
taken with one specimen showing adenocarcinoma involving 8% of tissue.
4.
Bone scan clear.
5. Success rate considered 90% + with either radiation
or radical prostatectomy.
6. Radiation being done with aid of markers placed
in the prostate to help with radiation targeting.
7. Surveillance ruled
out because of age and risk of spread.
8. Radical prostatectomy ruled out
because of surgical risks; currently taking blood thinner.
9. Other than
possible complications from the radiation treatments, the positive part of the
treatments are that the treatment facility is convenient. Downside is the 5 day/wk,
8 week schedule.
If anyone has any comments about the steps I took to reach
my decision to use external beam radiation please let me know.
This has
been a relatively easy decision because I am a fairly low risk case. My wife has
been very supportive and we will face this together as we have all the other bumps
during our journey together.
PC's e-mail address is: mlee23@hotmail.com
