Caregivers Experienced With Prostate Cancer Care

My father, age 73, was diagnosed with prostate cancer, confined to the prostate, 4 years ago, his psa was 7.0, so it was decided between him and his urologist to go with seed implantation. He has been fine all these years, but just last month, his psa jumped to 2.1 within three weeks. That's a doubling time of 3 wks., which his doc was very concerned about. The doc told him with hormone shots that he could hold the cancer at bay for 3 years. He has an appt. with an oncologist next week. The only symptoms he has been having is the urination at night of course, not fully voiding, and for about a month now, he has been complaining alot with lower back pain(saying it's due to some activity, but it seems like it takes little or nothing to bring the pain on), and weakness of both legs with the pain. He just had a pacemaker/defib. put in three months ago for CHF, he is a diabetic, and has been treated for about 20 years now for high blood pressure. Can anyone tell me what symptoms to expect and possibly what may be next? His urologist obviously thinks he is only viable for hormone therapy, this may be due to his other health problems, he has lost alot of weight, he says he hasn't, but he looks like within a months' time he has dropped about 50 lbs., and looks fatigued most days. I would appreciate any and all input. I am so forgetful, I am liable to forget my username to get back into this site. Thanks and God Bless!

My Father was diagnosed w/ prostate cancer in July 1995. He probably had it much longer - but that is when they started with the PSA testing. He ONLY did horomonal therapy - he was 73 upon diagnosis and the Doctors thoughts were - at your age w/ your array of medicial issues something else will get you 1st.

Upon diagnosis his PSA levels were in the mid 70's. Hormone therapy via medication (pills) held the levels below 4.0 for 6 years. Then the levels started to rise to 19 and Lupron injections (hormonal) were started every 4 months. This again dropped the PSA for 2 years to under 4.0. Then the following 2 years his PSA levels began to elevate - in the 100's - 200's for about 2 years.

Oncologist suggested chemo - but that is NOT a cure for prostate cancer - ONLY will extend life. At that time my Father was 80/81 and still felt pretty good - able to get around etc. October of 2004 - he found out it spread to the bones and lungs - PSA level with 3580 - given 1 week to live - and lived until June 3, 2005.

In my experience a PSA level of 3.0 is ok - they always said under 4.0 they did NOT worry about. However - I believe that hormonal therapy is GREAT and can kept the cancer at bay for quite some time. Eventually you must know that the cancer gets smart enough and becomes hormone refractory - which then it will no longer respond to that type of treatment. I "think" most hormonal therapy will respond for a few years at least - I know someone who had good response for 15 year - my Father had 8 really good years - hormonal therapy - can make you grumpy - your breast will grow - you can become impotent - so it does have its side effects.

I think the BEST treatment for prostate cancer - is to get it removed - and use radiation seeds - but my Father was NOT a candiate for that - because of a blood disorder and severe heart disease. Funny they thought the heart would get him first - but it didn't. He lasted until 12 days before his 83rd birthday. He did a good job.

Talk to the Doctor - and see what he thinks the BEST approach is. The PSA levels could also be rising just due to an infection (prostritis is one) - that can elevate the levels and have NOTHING to do w/ the cancer.

Good luck to you - and God Bless.

Hey Rhonda, my prostate cancer was Dg in '98. My psa had gone from 3 to 12 over 3 or 4 years. I got a decent diet, acupuncture and massage and reduced psa to 7 over one year! Radiation oncologist then convinced me to have seed implant. I did and wish i had not. My belief is that the psa would have continued to reduce and my immune system would have corrected it given time. Now I'm not even offered anything but pain pills as I'm in hospice. I feel fine and walk a couple miles daily, drink 10 glasses of distilled water daily, drink 8 glasses of carrot juice and 4 glasses of juiced greens daily. I have morhine but don't need or use it. Most important - I am continuously thanking God for my many blessings and opportunities. Nurses I know call me an inspiration to THEM! Oh yes, I had an orchiectomy recently just to be on the safe side, but refused all other treatments. My breasts are enlarged, but so what? Maybe i can get tossed a string of beads by flashing my boobs...have you seen www.drday.com ? This MD is cancer free after 9 years and without chemo, radiation or mastectomy. Greg Anderson recovered from lung cancer when his doctor gave him 30 days to live. That was 20 years ago.. I saw Greg in Pa. 2002 and he looks and is fine. My brother was an anesthesiologist MD and when I told him I got a little stiff in joints he said: Stay out of those places!.My point is that it helps to laugh at this situation. it exists only because I brought it on myself with poor diet and lifestyle. Doctors never treat the underlying causes, they just cut, burn, or poison the tumor and treat the symptoms. Look at Dr Day's website. I have 9 of her dvd's and watch them daily. God does have a plan for us as he gave us a body that repairs itself. Let me know if this helps you in any way. Best wishes from Stan: --- Message edited by CancerCompass staff: for personal protection, email address removed. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html ---