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Iqi Singh and Raj Singh live in India. He was 78 when he was diagnosed on 13 July, 2010. His initial PSA was 25.33 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 3+4=7 and although he does not state his staging, it seems from his story that he would have been staged T1c. He is undecided as to his choice of treatment. Here is his story.

I am 78 plus and have been diagnosed with cancer of the prostrate (Gleason 3+4).Cancer was detected by a biopsy done on the 13 July 2010. My PSA was 8.1 four years back and at that time the biopsy showed benign results.

Last month my PSA shot up to 25.33 and the gland volume was at 61cc which was 46 cc in 2006. I don't feel any of the symptoms barring one i.e. I have feel very tired after any physical movement. I am also a COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and Diabetic and often go down with fever at least 3/4 times a year and have to resort to antibiotics for 5-7 days which has left me quite weak. My general health is not as good as it used to be last year when I could cope up with a fair amount of walking and other normal day to day activities of daily retired life. I have read all about the treatments options available and all seem to have serious side effects which frighten me. I have lost about 5 kgs since last year ,most likely due to my COPD bouts. At this stage and considering that I have stepped into my 80th year what should I do ?????

Do active surveillance or which type of treatment will be the best option for me ??? I am totally confused !!!! Can you please help me in arriving at a decision though the responsibility for any decision will be mine.

The cancer is in the right lobe of the gland while the left lobe is fine.

Many Thanks

IQI

 

UPDATED

November 2010

 

 

I took quite sometime to decide what would be the best option for me ,what helped me to make up my mind eventually was the result of my bone scan which showed some metastases through the MRI .The Oncologist, Urologist and the GP decided not to wait and start treatment.

Biopsy was done on the July 13 2010 and by the end of that month my PSA shot up to 36.91 from 25.33 at the time of biopsy - the volume of the gland also shot up to 90cc from 61 cc on the 13th July. So I was given one tablet of Calutide [aka Casodex] daily for two weeks. After two weeks, I was given a shot of Zoladex 3.6mg.

The PSA then dropped to 10.24. On the October 8, 2010 I got my second shot - this time a three months dose. Since then I have not suffered any significant side effects barring some weakness .

I try and stay active though the weakness bothers me.

Terry you are doing a noble deed for your fellow beings. Thank you.

With best wishes Iqi

 

UPDATED

February 2012

 

I was given last Zoladex (4.8mg) in first week of Jan 2011 after which I am on intermittent .It took sometime to regain my strength .The last two months or so I have been feeling stronger and don't get tired so easily which was the case during the treatment and the next 6 months. I have mentioned below the chart of my PSA levels . Also considering my age - 80 plus- should I plan to go on to the tablet form or again Zoladex injections?

2010

26th July - 25.33

1 Oct - 10.24

3 Nov 1.06

22 Dec 0.41

2011

25 Jan 0.42

2 March 0.28

1 June 0.10

3 July 0.08

4 Aug 0.05

7 Sep 0.10

9 Oct 0.19

27 Dec 1.42

2012

31 Jan 2.93

Iqi's e-mail address is: dushuin@gmail.com