Sharaf Bohra and Hamida live in India. Sharaf was 61 when he was diagnosed
on 12 April 2005. His initial PSA was 11.2 ng/ml and his Gleason Score was 9.
He was staged T2 or T3 and he is undecided as to his treatment. Here is his story:
I had trouble controlling my pressure and decided to press the matter with
my doctor.On examination they found that my prostate was enlarged.
I
was asked to go for sonography and biopsy even though my PSA was not done.The
biopsy indicated cancer with a Gleason Score of 9 based on 7 samples. Subsequently
my PSA was done followed by bonescan and CT scan of abdomen and prostate area.
Bone scan came clear and CT scan showed enlargement of prostate.
My doctor in India started me on Hormone therapy (Flutamide). I got a second opinion
from Sloan Kettering in USA where they suggested that I go for Surgery considering
my age and the quality of life issues. Radiation was also suggested as another
equally effective option.
I am currently weighing my options on the treatment option to go with.
On
my return from USA on 20th June 2005, I got my PSA checked as I was taking Flutamide
Tabs. I could get the results of PSA on 26th June 2005 as 1.38 ng/ml against the
initial value of 11.25 ng/ml. Based on the second opinion at Memorial Sloan-Kettering
Cancer Center, New York, I further had consultation with various experts in India
in the field. Following were the two options:
1) Radical Prostatectomy
by open surgery.
2) Medicines followed with external beam radiotherapy.
Considering that with Gleason 9 (spread on both the sides) disease,
I had significant risk of having micro-metastatic disease and may not be cured
by local therapy. Whereas I may stand a better chance by opting for open surgery
over external beam radio therapy as well as better likelihood of local control,
even though there are many side effects of radical prostatectomy such as incontinence,
impotence, bleeding possibility requiring transfusion, DVT, pulmonary embolism,
anesthitic complications, lymphocele, rectal injury, ureteral injury, bladder
neck contracture and dehisence.
I decided to go for radical prostatectomy
(open surgery).
My operation was performed on 6th July 2005 at Hinduja
National Hospital, Mumbai, India. The operation lasted four - four and half hours.
Five units of blood were required during the open surgery.
I was told
that they have removed/cleaned all the doubtful areas during the open surgery
and the collected materials were sent for biopsy.
The final Gleason
Number reported was 8. They found metastases in the lymph nodes and other areas
were clear. Since lymph nodes was found to be metastatic it was decided to have
another surgery (bilateral orchidectomy).
On 23rd July 2005, the second
operation of bilateral orchidectomy was performed.
On 27th July 2005,
the catheter was removed to have the normal urinary functions.
I was
discharged from the Hospital on 28th July 2005.
The final PSA, after
surgery, is reported to be 0.083 ng/ml.
Presently, my incontinence is
under control. From the first urinary discharge after removal of the catheter,
I had sensation and signal to pass the urine. So far I am able to control and
pass the urine without any discharge or any wetting.
The frequency of
the urination is presently is 1 - 11/2 hrs and in the night two - three hours.
Hope that with time it will become normal.
Presently I am feeling quite
normal and on the path of final recovery due to the second operation. However,
I am able to move around freely and have no problem.
Dear
Friends,
After
my last reports, I have checked my PSA twice - once at the end of September and
again at the end of December.The values are:- End September 0.05 ng/ml: end December
0.03 ng/ml.
I
had consulted my doctor in early January. After examinations and review of reports
he declared me as fully normal and advised me to check my PSA after 4/5 months.
I
am still having hot flashes and frequent urge for urination, particularly when
I am relatively free and in night. Other side effect is continuing (lack of sexual
urge and total missing of fantasy). Hope with time some improvement will be there.
Otherwise I am fit and working. Luckily I did not got the incontinence.
With
best wishes
Sharaf
Ali Bohra.
I
got my PSA test done end August 06. It improved from earlier value(.03 ng/ml)
to 0.01 ng/ml. I also consulted my Doctor. He was happy with the result.
No
change in other side effects like hot flashes,erectile,etc. I am still having
frequent urination and woke up 2 to 3 times in the night.
I
AM OTHERWISE HAVING GOOD HEALTH.
After
my last report, I got my PSA done in Jan 2007. The value was .03 ng/ml.
I
got my PSA done recently end August and reading is .04ng/ml.
There
is no improvement in side effects like hot flashes,erctile ete. Frequency of urination
continous to be more. I am happy and satisfied that it is more than 2 years when
I got my surgery done and I am fit and working.
Since
my last report, I got my PSA done on 26 November 07. It was reported 0.04 ng/ml.
I visited my surgeon for check- up. After examination,he told me every thing is
fine and particularly he was happy with my PSA reading.
I
am having hot flashes and frequent urination 2-3 times in the night as usual.
I working feeling normal. No other complication so far.
I
got my PSA checked on 4th June 2008. It was reported 0.01 ng/ml. I have some relief
in Hot flashes as frequency is now little less. I am great full to the GOD that
life is usual and I am continuing working after my superannuation in 2006.
Sharaf's
e-mail address is: sabohra@yahoo.co.in
