YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

BRONZE

Peter Brown and Cathryn live in Western Australia. He was 73 when he was diagnosed on April 23, 2007. His initial PSA was 7.9 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 7 and he was staged T2a. His treatment choice is Hormone+EBR+brachytherapy. Here is his story:

It is still early days, so I'm not sure how things will "pan" out. My PSA reading was 7.9, but my free PSA was recorded as 7. Anything below 15 is regarded as dangerous. A biopsy showed that I had a 5mm cancer on the prostate, with other areas regarded as PIN.

My urologist referred me to the major hospital in Perth Western Australia, where I was asked if I would be prepared to go into a trial. I agreed and as a result, the computer selected me for 6 months of hormone treatment ( two injections of Lucrin) plus a daily tablet of Androcur-100m. The cancer is contained in the prostate at present.

I had the first injection on May 24, 2007. I will have the next injection on August 15, 2007. Before that date I will have two blood tests to see how my PSA and Testosterone levels are.

In October I will commence 23 days of EBRT (External Beam Radiation Treatment) and sometime after that a spell in hospital when I will receive two doses of brachytherapy injected into the prostate. This is the situation at the June 6, 2007.

 

UPDATED

December 2007

 

 

When I originally posted in June 2007 I was in the early stages of Androgen Deprivation. I had two lucrin injections, one in May and another in August.

These brought my PSA down to 0.02 and my testosterone down to 1.2. I was also on Androcur 100mg daily to offset the side effects of Lucrin.

In October I commenced 23 days of external beam radiation therapy, which was quite bearable, though I did finish up with radiation enteritis. Before that commenced I was given a "flow test" by the urologist who discovered that my flow rate was poor, though I did empty my bladder down to 10mm.

On December 3 I was admitted to hospital for High Dose Rate brachytherapy. An epidural was placed in my spine and 20 needles inserted into the prostate. On December 4 I had two sessions of brachytherapy with a third session on December 5, after which the needles were withdrawn. I had a catheter, which was removed later in the day and once I proved that I could pass urine naturally I was discharged from hospital on December 6.

My treatment program worked on the principle that Hormone therapy would starve the cancer by reducing my testosterone, the EBRT would shrink the cancer with HDR Brachytherapy being the knock out blow. That seems to me to be a rational sequence of treatment. Time will tell.

As I write thise I still have discomfort in passing urine and with bowel movements, but as it is less than a week since treatment finished, it is to be expected. I will be on Flomaxtra for at least 6 months to assist urine flow.

I will update again in 2008 after I have had some follow up visits to the hospital.

 

UPDATED

August 2008

 

 

Eight months on from the HDR brachytherapy I appear to have no ongoing after effects. The PSA is 0.04, testosterone 9.1, which I am told is about right for a man of my age. I do have ED but that was my situation prior to being diagnosed.

 

UPDATED

June 2009

 

 

I had an appointment with the oncologist in November 08. Blood tests showed PSA .03, testosterone still 9. Just before Christmas 08 I had a return of the symptoms that I had immediately after the brachytherapy. The hospital told me to see my GP, who did a urine test in case of a bladder infection, but that proved negative. As it was over the Christmas period I bought a urine alkalizer medicine and by early January the problem had cleared up.

I saw the oncologist again in May 2009. Blood tests showed PSA down to .02 testosterone now up to 13 but still have ED. I remarked on the problems in December 08 and was told that this can often happen after the HD brachytherapy. All other blood tests OK and I should add that the urologist who I saw in August 08, did not wish to see me until August 09. I have no problems with bladder or bowel and think that my walnut must have shrunk to the size of a peanut.

I consider myself very lucky with the treatment option I accepted and as I approach 76 years of age I feel very well.

Peter's e-mail address is: cbro9611@bigpond.net.au