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Alan,
You seem to be able to understand the research papers so you should look at the one I referenced. The upgrading/downgrading issue doesn't really effect your treatment decision here.
I changed from my urologist to a prostate center for treatment because my original urologist was just going to give me hormone treatment and made it sound like I didn't have long to live. If you are not at a PC center then you relly need to meet with some experts in the field of PC for a second opinion. The treatment you are receiving may be the best for you but it is always good to know if more can be done.
I was cT3b, GS 4 & 3, PSA 12.7 and I got a prostatectomy with adjuvant radiation/LHRH treatment. My oncologist thinks that I should be able to live for another 10 years with just intermittent ADT before I might need further treatment.
THANKS FOR YOUR COMMENTS. I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ARE SAYING BUT MY PSA IS VERY MUCH HIGER THAN YOURS AND GLEASON TOO. I AM JUST AFRAID OF ENDING UP INCONTINENT ETC AND HAVING TO GO ON FOLLOW UP ADT ANYWAY. ED ISN'T A PROBLEM AS MY WIFE AND I SADLY CANNOT HAVE A SEX LIFE ANY MORE AS I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO LIBIDO. PCA STINKS.
There are various ways to fight PCa, so look at all possiblities and make your own decision, as the docs don't fight your battle, you do. There is some evidence on the Bolla Studies as to longer survival and other studies now using surgery and ADT with similar findings. You would have to decide if you believe it is worth it to you. There are various drug protocols, especially if you see the things that Dr.'s Myers, Lam, Leibowitz, Scholz, Strum, Sartor and others have done with patients. So you have choices, I am not trying to sway you but only let you know there is alot to consider in this fight. I got alot of opinions and it is almost like the wild west in some respects. Best to you going forward.
Alan,
You might want to go to your local PC information/support group. I always find these meetings to be informative, uplifting & enjoyable.
You are alive 28 months after starting out from a not great prognosis and getting good response from the ADT. With aggresive treatment there is a reasonable chance you'll die of heart failure when you are 85 and not from PC. A fellow in our group started out at T4 14 years ago and is still alive.
You might think of trying an antidepressant. I know the lack of sex and having cancer does seem to be depressing after a while.
I am in the same position and wish i could say more to help. When i was diagnosed at age 58, i was told that i should look into hospice! I was never informed about the different med's, chemo etc. I have been on chemo and it has failed. I will be starting a new line of chemo in the coming weeks. Anti depressants have helped me so much. i feel great, but know that my body will only take so much. I really pushed for surgery and was told it was a waste of time and too expensive, now i wonder what if...... follow your instincts, they will guide you.
Thankyou everyone for your replies. To be honest I am not depressed at all. I certainly don't miss sex because I never think about it ever now. My wife greatly misses the passionate closeness. It's a terrible blow on a relationship that has always been so passionate. But like my wife says I am alive. I play golf, excercise daily, enjoy life etc. I was just going over in my head like Amador said if my treatment fails, and lets face it more times than not it does and like Amador I may say what if I had have tried radiation or something else............
