Richard Mallory and Debbie do not say where they live, but it seems to be the
USA. He was 68 when he was diagnosed on January 10, 2008. His initial PSA was
7.7 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 10 and he was staged T1c. His choice of treatment
was Proton Beam. Here is his story.
I had a history of BPH (Benign Prostate
Hyperplasia). and occasional elevated PSA attributable to infections.
Negative
biopsies in 1997 and 2000, both were if my memory serves me right 6 core samples
(not enough).
In November 2006 my annual PSA was 1.9
In looking
back, 2004 could have been significant. My PSA was elevated and my new urologist
told me after a DRE that if he did not know I had completed a negative biopsy
in 2000 he would want to do one. He determined I had an infection and prescribed
antibiotics and my PSA returned to within what is considered normal (there is
no such thing for some people). In looking back we should have insisted he do
a biopsy.
I began to have some urinary problems in the late summer of 2006
while travelling so in October 2007 I had my PSA done and it was 4.9 so I made
an appointment with my Urologist. He put me on antibiotics and when I completed
them he did a follow-up PSA that was 7.7. He ordered a biopsy done on January
10, 2008 and it showed 8 of 12 core samples with cancer. Gleason score on one
sample was 10 and the other 7 were 5+4 (9) and all were rated less than 5 percent.
Bone
scan January 17, 08 showed hot spots on left ribs but subsequently concluded to
be from injury.
Chest & pelvis x-rays January 21, 08 nothing significant
for PCa.
CT of chest January 30, 08 Negative for PCa
MD Anderson
February 12, 08 & February 14, 08 PSA 3.3, Gleason 5+4 (9) and CT of abdomen and
pelvic area negative for metastasis. Recommended Radiation and Hormones. Would
not do surgery or Proton Radiation.
February 19, 08 Consultation with Dr.
Fagin, Austin, TX about robotic Laparoscopic Surgery. After a review of my medical
history he did not recommend that I have surgery for the removal of the prostate.
Late February I contacted Loma Linda and University of Florida Proton
Therapy Institute (UFPTI).
Loam Linda responded that there was no way they
could do anything for me in the near future. UFPTI told me to send information
and they would review it.
February 26, 08 Forwarded package to UFPTI
March
13, 08 Appointment with UFPTI including blood work and another CT of the pelvis.
I was told they would contact me probably within a week to inform me of my acceptance.
I was told I need to have a PET Scan and a Prostascint Scan done at home.
UFPTI
called on March 19, 08 and had me scheduled for PET and Prostascint scans.
March
24, 08 PET Scan results unknown at this time
April 1, Prostascint Scan
results unknown at this time
Waiting to be scheduled for 3 day workup at
UFPTI
Hopefully treatment to follow this spring and summer.
We
have completed our three day workup at the U of Florida Proton Therapy Institute.
We had our first Hormone (Lupron) shot on May 2, 2008. We start IMRT for four
weeks on May 13, 2008 and will then have an additional four weeks of Proton Beam
Radiation.
I
completed my radiation treatment of 25 IMRT and 17 Proton treatments at the U
of Florida Proton Therapy Insitute on July 24, '08. My PSA at completion was .21,
free PSA .08, Percent free PSA 38.1 percent, testosterone is 14.6.
I
will continue on hormone therapy for 2 years and have been asked to return to
UFPTI every 6 months for 3 years.
My
complete story is on my website.
Richard's
e-mail address is: smilingoldcoot@hotmail.com
