Decided on High Dose Radiation (2 treatments in one day) plus 23 treatments external beam radiation (to reach total pelvic area), hormone therapy (Lupron) for 2 years and chemotherapy.

According to Partin tables, staging of T2b, Gleason 9 and 8.8 PSA predicted 70% chance cancer had already metastasized. Given this statistic surgery was ruled out as cancer probably spread and surgery would only solve the local cancer in the prostate. Therefore, radiation, chemotherapy and hormone treatment recommended. For the last 7 years my PSA count has been less than 0.1

Radiation attacked the prostate and pelvic area while hormone and chemotherapy attacked total body.

Original body scans were negative for metastasis but there was the possibility of smaller cancer cells present that would not show up on a scan so chemotherapy was recommended to attack this issue. Never knew if smaller cells were present or not but chemotherapy was a preventive measure.

In short, they threw the book at me but no sign of PSA increasing for last 7 years. Only side effects so far is a medium to high sense of urgency for urination.

This month will be the 7th year since I was diagnosed and started treatments for PC. Since beginning treatments (High Dose Brachy Radiation in one day, 23 treatments external radiation, Hormones for 2 years and chemotherapy) my PSA has been between .04 and .08. I am most grateful to the 2 doctors who treated me from 2 non-affiliated institutions.

I was treated by Dr. Alvaro Martinez, Radiation Oncologist Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak MI (now at 21st Century in MI and Dr Kenneth Pienta, Medical Oncologist University of Michigan Hospital, now at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Doctor Bio's:

For two decades, Dr. Alvaro Martinez has pioneered several cancer treatments in Radiation Oncology leading to the significant improvement of today's Radiation Therapy outcomes. These include Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) to improve precision and accuracy in radiation treatment delivery, special applicators used to treat prostate, gynecological and other pelvic malignancies to preserve organ function as well as Omnibeam, which is designed for treating very difficult tumors deep within the body.

Dr. Pienta has international expertise in the development of novel chemotherapeutic programs for prostate cancer. Dr. Pienta has championed the concept that translational research is often best accomplished by multi-disciplinary teams of scientists and clinicians. The success of these endeavors led to the receipt of the 2007 first annual American Association for Cancer Research Team Science Award. He is the author of more than 300 peer-reviewed articles, and been the principle investigator on numerous local and national clinical trials. Throughout his career, Dr. Pienta has effectively mentored over 40 students, residents, and fellows to successful careers in medicine.

Beginning my 9th year after diagnosis and PSA still less than .01. Sense of urgency to urinate but have decided not to take medication for this.

Testosterone levels have never recovered from hormone treatments which causes some issues with strength and metabolism, have to be careful with diet (calorie intake) to keep weight under control. I am very thankful for the aggressive treatment recommended by my doctors.

When determining treatment I would refer to Partin tables to help decide treatment depending on staging and odds that cancer has spread outside the prostate.

Current PSA .04 in Feb 2016. Sense of urgency to urinate but something I can deal with. Going on 9 years in June 2016. Aggressive treatment in beginning seems to have worked up to now. High dose radiation seeds, external beam radiation, Lupron hormone shots 2 years and chemo.

Current PSA .07 in Feb 2017. Sense of urgency to urinate but something I can deal with. Going on 10 years in June 2017. Aggressive treatment in beginning seems to have worked. High dose radiation seeds, external beam radiation, Lupron hormone shots 2 years and chemo. No surgery because of Gleason 9 and Partin Tables suggested 70% chance cancer had spread. Surgery would only have attacked the prostate and not cancer cells that may have metastasized outside the prostate.

Been over 10 years recovering from Gleason 9, T2B, 8.4 PSA. High dose radiation, Chemo, Lupron, Casodex. PSA has always been below 1.0

Doctors Dr. Kenneth Pienta (John's Hopkins) and Alvaro Martinez (Detroit)

Original treatment 2007. High Dose radiation 1 day, 23 treatments external beam radiation, Lupron 2 years, chemo 6 months.

Diagnosed Gleason 9, PSA 8.5, T2B, statistically (Partin Table) 70% chance cancer spread. Doing great after treatments and PSA less than .01 for last 11 years

Everything good. Now going on 13 years since serious diagnosis of Gleason 9, PSA 8.5, T2B

High dose radiation, chemo, hormone therapy. The book! but it worked.

I decided on high-dose radiation (one day), twenty-five treatments of external beam radiation, chemotherapy, and Lupron as my Gleason score was high (9). The Partin Tables show a 70% chance of Gleason 9 metastasis to other parts of the body, so local surgery of the prostate was not a viable option.

I have survived 15 years.

I had high-dose radiation, chemotherapy, and Lupron pills for 2 years.

Currently no treatment. PSA less than .01 since 2007 after treatment. No surgery

I have now survived for 16 years after being diagnosed with Gleason 9, with 30% chance of survival.

Dale's e-mail address is: d.mahrle AT comcast.net (replace "AT" with "@")