Wait and See Verses Radiation Treatment

Good Day,

         I would like to request the opinions of those that have walked this path of having their Prostate removed and had to make a decision as to what to do afterwards. Here is what is happening and it involves my brother.

         He had his prostate removed by robotic surgery. The Doctor, I feel has done a fantastic job as my brother was able to control his urine flow rather quickly after the surgery. His first PSA reading was 0.1 and the Surgeon recommended him to see the Radiation Doctor, who then told my brother that he felt they should wait and see how his PSA readings go.

        It is now 2 1/2 years out from his surgery and the Surgeon is now recommending that my brother get the radiation done anyway. His PSA readings have constantly been 0.1 and I suggeted that he do 2 things.

       One, to continue the wait and see method as his PSA hasn't risen and that I had radiation in a different location and I still have side effects from it and I'm nearly 5 yrs out. Secondly, to talk to the Radiation Doctor and get his opinion.

       I personally value the opinions of those that have actually have gone through this as you know how you feel. I haven't had to deal with this cancer luckily. Had the Biopsies done ( 12 ) and came back clear.

       Thank you for your inputs

       My Best to Everyone Here

The first question to ask his doctor, were his surgical margains  clear? What was his initial psa, Gleason, Stage?and after surgery?

Without knowing those answers his PSA shows no increase in 2 and half years is a good thing. I would wait to see if there is any positve movement.

I would also watch my diet and take supplements.

Dan

Dan,

     Thank you for your reply. From what I remember on the top of my head. His PSA was 8.5 prior to the surgery. His Gleason was either 7 or 8 and after the surgery, the Doctor told my that the margins were clear.

      I agree with what you stated as to the wait and see treatment at this stage. Thank you again.

      My Best to Everyone Here

On 9/27/2009 Pop-Pop wrote:

Good Day,

         I would like to request the opinions of those that have walked this path of having their Prostate removed and had to make a decision as to what to do afterwards. Here is what is happening and it involves my brother.

         He had his prostate removed by robotic surgery. The Doctor, I feel has done a fantastic job as my brother was able to control his urine flow rather quickly after the surgery. His first PSA reading was 0.1 and the Surgeon recommended him to see the Radiation Doctor, who then told my brother that he felt they should wait and see how his PSA readings go.

        It is now 2 1/2 years out from his surgery and the Surgeon is now recommending that my brother get the radiation done anyway. His PSA readings have constantly been 0.1 and I suggeted that he do 2 things.

       One, to continue the wait and see method as his PSA hasn't risen and that I had radiation in a different location and I still have side effects from it and I'm nearly 5 yrs out. Secondly, to talk to the Radiation Doctor and get his opinion.

       I personally value the opinions of those that have actually have gone through this as you know how you feel. I haven't had to deal with this cancer luckily. Had the Biopsies done ( 12 ) and came back clear.

       Thank you for your inputs

       My Best to Everyone Here

          

Get a second opinion. I am 3yrs post removal and my PSA has been 0.01 from day of removal. I cant see anyone wanting to give you radiation treatment with a PSA of 0.01, all this guy is looking for is your money and is not concerned with your health.

Phred....I think Pop Pop indicated the psa was 0.1.

 Pop Pop,

 Remember, it was the surgeon who wanted your Dad to see the radiolgist 2-1/2 years ago so I think he should see the radiolgist again.

If the psa has remained at 0.1 for 2-1/2 years, if it were me, I would NOT do radiation yet. Obviously, whatever is out there is not doing much, at least not yet. However, I would get psa tests every six months and when (yes, it is possible), the psa moves to 0.2, I would consider radiation at that point, without wasting too much time.

There has to be some consideration for quality of life. If a cancer is not moving fast or at all, in my opinion, why not wait and delay any problems that the treatment may cause?  

Remember, this is solely my opinion. And also remember that doctors have their own opinions too. Some are very aggreesive; some not as aggressive. However (again my opinion), each of us have to weigh all of the positives and negatives and quality of life is an important consideration.

Lastly, I would be surprised if the radiologist, after saying 2-1/2 years ago to wait and see, would say now we should do it. Once the prostate is removed, the psa will go down to its lowest point in a couple of months. After that it will either stay at that point or go up. Your Dad's psa hasn't moved and that, to me, is wonderful.

On 9/27/2009 Pop-Pop wrote:

Good Day,

         I would like to request the opinions of those that have walked this path of having their Prostate removed and had to make a decision as to what to do afterwards. Here is what is happening and it involves my brother.

         He had his prostate removed by robotic surgery. The Doctor, I feel has done a fantastic job as my brother was able to control his urine flow rather quickly after the surgery. His first PSA reading was 0.1 and the Surgeon recommended him to see the Radiation Doctor, who then told my brother that he felt they should wait and see how his PSA readings go.

        It is now 2 1/2 years out from his surgery and the Surgeon is now recommending that my brother get the radiation done anyway. His PSA readings have constantly been 0.1 and I suggeted that he do 2 things.

       One, to continue the wait and see method as his PSA hasn't risen and that I had radiation in a different location and I still have side effects from it and I'm nearly 5 yrs out. Secondly, to talk to the Radiation Doctor and get his opinion.

       I personally value the opinions of those that have actually have gone through this as you know how you feel. I haven't had to deal with this cancer luckily. Had the Biopsies done ( 12 ) and came back clear.

       Thank you for your inputs

       My Best to Everyone Here

          

Pop Pop

A friend of mine had RP six years ago, his post PSA was 0,2. It has stayed that way for 6 years. His doctor doesn't beleive he needs to do anything. I would keep an eye on his PSA and do psa tests every 6 months and as long as there is no movement life is good. If you talk to 3 different doctors they will all have different opinions. However quality of life is important. If it is not broke , don't fix it.

Dan

Phred, Badmamazoo, and Skidan,

           Thank you for your replies and opinions. I spoke with my brother again yesterday and gave him all of your inputs as well as mine after some more research on my part.

          As I mentioned before, my brother's Surgeon did  what I think was a fantastic operation with the robotic surgery. The Surgeon's only concern after that point was the PSA readings. It has been 0.1 for 2 1/2 years. After the first PSA at 0.1 the Surgeon wanted my brother to talk with a Radiation Oncologist which he did and the Oncologist suggested the wait and see method which my brother has been doing and feeling fine. The Surgeon wanted the PSA to read 0.0 which from what i have seen elsewhere that number may not always be reached ? or can it ? I always thought that 0.1 was pretty darn good.

         It is his Surgeon that is now recommending that he have radiation. My brother is in the mind set to do the wait and see method as well. He will be seeing a different radiation oncologist soon as the one that was following him has transfered to another Hospital.

         I have had cancer twice myself, not the prostate cancer, once at the Base of Tongue cancer and then later Melanoma. I had the radiation for the Base of Tongue and my brother saw the effects on my radiation. So he knows what might happen to his body.

         I thank you all again for your views, nothing helps as much as talking with those that have actually been through something to learn the truth.

        My Best to Everyone Here