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A week before my 68th birthday I had a biopsy because in a fluke visit to the urologist he found a lump on the right side of the prostrate. Because I was suppsed to wait until I met with him, a visit to another doctor on my birtdhay showed that 3 of six biopsy's were positive. I had to wait another 4 days to find out the bitter truth and where I stood. My Gleason is 8 and staging is T2b. I have yet to have both the MRI and bone scans. But because I am Coumadin for life because of a blood disorder that has nearly killed me two or three times (whose counting anymore), no one wanted to operate on me. Meeting with the radiation oncologist today, I finally discovered that it wasn't the blood they were afraid of but the Gleason 8.
Here is the proposed treatment:
1. Lupon for two months before any radiation, then for the next 2 - 3 years.
2. 25 treatments of radiation,
3. Seeds in the prostrate.
The good news is that I would not have to go off my warfarin...something that I have to do anytime there is cutting and I bleed. The bad news is well, I have prostrate cancer. Has anyone else gone through this sort of treatment? And if so, what have been the results? It seems a bit of overkill but then it beats the alternative ... 6 ft. under.
Alan,
Like you, I was 68 when diagnosed with GS 8 two years ago. After listening to all the Drs. and talking to guys who had been treated and listening to their stories, I found proton therapy. I don't know where you live, but here in America they have several proton sites. My PSA is now .2 with no side effects. E-mail me for more info. If you live in the "states," I would strongly advise seeking out any UsToo groups in your area and attend some meetings. It's quite enlightening to speak to guys who have gone on "The Journey" before you.
Welcome to the club you never wanted to join Alan.
I believe the surgeons were guided more by your coumadin than your Gleason 8 diagnosis in moving you on to another treatment option. A quick glance at the 70 or 30 GS 8 men who have shared their stories on the site show that about 30 of them had surgery.
The option that has been put to you is not uncommon - there are two well advertised forms of the multiple treatment you refer to ProstRcision and DART - although many insitutions cary out these multiple procedures without the marketing aspect.
