Yearly rise in PSA was 2.1, 3.1, 4.2 prior to diagnosis. At that time, my personal physician said I "could" have my prostate checked by a urologist if I wanted. My father died of prostate cancer, so I opted to have it checked. The urologist said I "could" have a biopsy done if I wanted, or I could wait another year. I opted to have it done now. The result was I did have cancer with a Gleason of 7. I don't remember the staging, but it was average. I am soooo glad I had the biopsy done. I had the CAT scans done then to make sure the cancer had not spread beyond the prostate. Nothing was found. I chose external beam radiation (45 treatments) with Lupron shots for a year rather than surgery. My urologist said at the age of 75 either way to go was an equally good choice. I decided I wanted to keep some sexual ability after the treatment was over and the odds were in my favor with radiation. Except for being "feminized" for a year... actually more like 16 months, the radiation was a piece of cake. ...a little tiring maybe toward the end. I enjoyed my afternoon naps. Now, except for a more frequent urge to urinate, a change in nerve sensations on orgasm, less volume and thinner discharge, my life hasn't changed any. My PSA is 0.1 presently and my urologist said it would rise to a point lower than 1 and stabilize. I should worry not "if" but "WHEN" it begins to rise above that. Hopefully I will be dead by then.
Now it is 2.5 years since initial radiation and my PSA's are steadily rising above 1.0 to 1.48. At 2.0 they tell me that the radiation treatment was unsuccessful/failed. My father died of prostate cancer. His had the aggressive type. I am in body a carbon copy of him. I am worried of course, but what can you do? It will be what it will be. Opting for radiation treatment over surgery left me with only the one shot at a cure. Looking back now maybe it wasn't be right choice. At the time, I had had several recent surgeries and just wasn't up for another when radiation was available. Now, after radiation, surgery is not an option. I hated the Lupron shots, but looks like I will be back on that treatment if my PSA reaches 2.0 or higher. My luck probably Rats !!! Better results, I hope, for the rest of you.
Still here. Feeling fine. PSA (1.59) is still slowly rising. I have another test in 6 months. If I reach 2.0 they will declare the radiation treatment a failure and stage me for active treatment... probably more Lupron. I have tried the Argon Laser treatment for my rectal bleeding problem. One treatment made it a little better. I am going to have one more treatment. So far, it is only a nuisance. Best of luck to you out there...
Brief update. The latest PSA was 1.05 down almost half a point. Very relieved. I was very worried that I was headed for the dreaded 2.0, then it would probably be back on Lupron testosterone killer shots... Ugh!!! Urologist said PSA's can vary a lot from day to day and you just have to watch the trend rather than a single or even a couple of measurements. Good to go for another 6 months.
I forgot to say that I had a second treatment for the rectal bleeding and it is improved even more, but it is still somewhat of a problem. I don't expect to have another treatment as it is manageable. Just a nuisance.
For the past few years my PSA readings have moved around 1.40 up and down a little which means I still have active cells in my prostate post radiation. I hope none are cancerous. The last test was 0.97. I can't remember it being that low before. The radiation proctitis is better. I don't bleed except occasionally. I feel very lucky today to be able to function sexually and to still be alive and healthy. My father died of this disease at age 84. He waited waaaay too long to have it treated. Best to everyone reading this...
Rip's e-mail address is: striplic AT tetric.com (replace "AT" with "@")
