Rupert
D and Lola lived in England. He was 54 when he was diagnosed in October 2007.
His initial PSA was 27.5 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 3+4=7 and although he says
he was staged T3, this must be his pathological staging: his clinical staging
would have likely been T1c. His choice of treatment was ADT (Androgen Deprivation
Therapy) . Sadly, Rupert passed away in April 2010. Here
is his story.
I am 55. In October 2007 had a DRE and a blood test. After
the blood test which showed a PSA of 27.5 I was sent to department of urology
at my local Hospital to see a consultant urologist who carried out a biopsy
The
biopsy showed a Gleason 4+3=7 adenocarcinoma. This is a bilateral involving 50%
on the right and 70% on the left along with perineural invasion. With Gleason
Score of 7 and the high volume of tumour, I was told that surgery or radiotherapy
would be appropriate depending on the results of CT and bone scans, but that radiotherapy
was the most likely option for me in view of the high volume disease together
with perineural infiltration.
The letter sent to my doctor after my CT
and bone scans on December 11, 2007:
His bone scan I am pleased to report
was reassuringly normal his CT scan was interesting. It is essentially normal
with the exception of some lymphadenopathy, the lymphadenopathy was in a slightly
abnormal position.
We are going to recommend treatment with hormonal manipulation
I
am confused as to the treatment as I thought it would be radiotherapy just looking
for any kind of guidelines or anyone who can offer some input who might have been
in my position .
Just an update: I have been to Hospital today (February
12, 2008). My PSA is down to 2.7 - it was 27.5 3 months ago. I am now being put
on 3 monthly ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy) implants to be done at my own
GPs, with a visit to the hospital every 3 months. The specialist was quite reassuring
at the hospital and he was quite pleased with my new PSA. Must say he was a lot
more positive than the last guy I saw (Dr Gloom)
I
have asked my GP to get me a second opinion just to put our minds at rest l feel
I should be on RT at some stage or at least have another scan to check my nodes
The doctor at the hospital feels as the PSA has gone down my nodes should have
as well Surely a scan would confirm this?
As
PSA is down to 1.4 I am staying on implants until PSA rises.
Side
effects so far loss of libido, tiredness, a little weight gain. Working normal
just getting on with life as I feel fine.
Good
luck to everyone else
Regards
There seems to be a problem with my nodes. Over the last four weeks I have been
in pain which resulted in a stent being fitted. Ever since this I have been in
pain - lower back, left leg and stomach. I'm now on pain killers ( Oxycodone
hydrochloride 20mg twice a day). I can only walk about 100 yards and my left
leg swells up and l'm out of breath and sweating Below is the report l got today
on the last scan l had on July 12, 2009
CT
abdomen /pelvis with contrast : comparison is made with the previous CT scan of
November 2007.
There
has been marked progression of the disease since that time. There is now a large
nodal mass on the left pelvic side wall measuring 6x5 cm in diameter. This is
compressing the left ureter and causing a early left hydronephrosis
(THIS IS WHY THE STENT WAS FITTED) and delaying excretion
by the left kidney.
There
is also enlarged nodes seen in the left obturator chain, left common iliac chain,
and left para-aortic areas. No bony metastases in the areas imaged. Normal liver,
biliary tree, gallbladder, pancreas and kidneys. No bowel abnormality.
Conclusion:
marked progression of nodal disease since 2007 I went off to see the oncologist
on August 5, 2009.
They
have taken new blood test today and are checking everything including testosterone
test. l am starting EBRT (External Beam Radiation Treatment) to enlarged nodes
next week then a course of chemotherapy after that. I have been given Dexamethasone
(steroid) to start with and also be given Oramorph
for the pain relief
