44 Years Old - Stage T4/M2

I was shocked to find out i had prostate cancer at this age and at the advanced stage it is in.
I had surgery to remove my prostate. The cancer is in the lymph nodes and they are not sure where else. As of now there is no evidence that it has spread to the bone as a bone scan was performed.
I am currently undergoing chemo and the plan is to start harmone deprivation therapy after chemo. My oncologist says his goal is to give me 40 years. I feel like he is just trying to make me feel beeter about the outlook.
Anyone ever heard of this stage prostate cancer at such a young age? I am worried about my longevity as i have young children.
I am currently impotent due to the removal of nerves during surgery.also am taking some herbs, pau d arco tea and habanero tincture.
Anyone have any other tips. How long do you think i have realistically?

Hi David,
I know it is one heck of a shock. I was diagnosed with almost the same situation and Gleason 9/10 four and a half years ago. So far I am symptom free with a PSA between <.04 and .11. I was 61 when diagnosed. Had just a radical + HT (continuous). I have a friend diagnosed at age 50 very comparable to your status, also had a radical, HT (now is hormone refractory). He has had various chemos and one operation to remove a tumor from his spine. He is still hanging in there and usually enjoying life. Not in much pain at this point. So these examples may be a bit encouraging to you. I just don't think anyone knows how long you or us have. The urologist's are usually pessimistic but they no doubt spend more time with those whose disease progresses rapidly than guys like myself and my friend. There is also the thought that if we survive long enough more and better treatments will become available. Already the chemo's seem to work way better than 10 years ago.

Have you considered radiation in case the PC is confined to the local area? Also I am currently taking green tea, soy capsules, boron, lycopene, zyflamend (herbal compound), turmeric, vitamin E, multiple vitamins, calcium (to prevent bone loss from the HT)and eat a healthy diet (lots of vegetables and fruit), plus get lots of exercise. You might want to research some of the above on the internet. Good luck to you, and let me know if you would like to talk further.
Pat K

Dave Just wanted to say that am 45 and was diagnosed 6 months ago with advanced prostate cancer which has spread to the bones..was on Zoladex and casodex everything was going god for the first 3 months then PSA shot up is now 45 Going to start chemo next week Taxitere is what they say they are gong to give me and also Zomeda for the bone pain..I guess I ave to take a treatment every 3 weeks plus prednisone everyday..Its like the doctors say about me is that at my age it is very uncommon and they cant really compare with anything ..so I am hoping this will work...Hang in there...

Hey,

My husband was diagonsed at the age of 53 and that was considered a young age for prostate cancer.
He did radiation treatments and horomones injection.
He is still doing the horomones.
It has been four years, but it has now spread to his bones.
There drugs for prostate cancer that are on the fast track to being on the market. There are currently two vaccines by two different companies. My husband is going into the clinical trial for GVAX. Of course, we won't know if he gets it or not but are willing to take the chance.
There is also a study that is being fast tracked for approval. Avastin, it takes the chemo directly to the cancer cells.
So the main thing is to try and keep your spirits up that there will be a break through soon.
Check out Clinical trials . gov to see what is going on.
Best of luck to you.
Michelle and Glynn

Hey Stephen,
Taxitere is the same chemo drug they are giving me. My treatments are once every three weeks, six times.The side effects are not to horrible but they are there. Hair loss, major fatigue, pains throughbout the entire body, I can't sleep sometimes yet always feel tired. My fingernails became deformed and hurt like you hit your finger with a hammer. Some nausia. It takes about three days after treatment to start feeling like shit. Then it lasts about a week. I get mine on Tuesday, take off on Friday, that weekend is spent laying on the couch watching movies, weed helps, then I return to work on Monday.
I was put on chemo soon after my surgery as I had a psa of 96 before surgery and a gleason score of 9/10.
My last chemo treatment is tomorrow. Then my oncologist will start me on hormone treatments. You are correct about them having nothing to compare us to. My doctor told me the same thing.
Keep in touch. It seems we have alot in common. Have you experianced impotence? For me that is one of the most depressing things.

Hi Michelle and Glynn,

My dad is about the same age and was diagnosed with prostate cancer in Feb. of this year. His psa is 6.6 with a gleason of about 7. His doctor scheduled him to have his prostate removed in April and during surgery they found that cancer had spread to his two right lymph nodes. We were in shock with the news after being told beforehand, that the chances of cancer spreading beyond his prostate was extremely slim. SO-my dad is a unusual case. I am the oldest in the family, a daddy's girl, and I have been doing everything in my power to research as much as I can in order to gain some insight into this disease. It's been hard to take all of this in as it as all unfolded in such a short time it seems. His bone and CT scan had revealed nothing but based on past conclusions about a cancer-contained-in-prostate-only diagnosis (which was obviously not true), I am wondering how accurate these tests are. I've asked his doctor about it but I don't feel as satisfied with his explanation...how do they know for sure that the cancer hasn't spread/contained in the pelvis? My dad is currently undergoing radiation treatment (Mon-Fri, 8wks). I am looking towards getting him into juicing to promote his overall health. I pray all the time...he has so much ahead of him (to see us kids get married, grandkids, quality life, etc :) Is there anything we can do to help him with his fight (in terms of nutrition)? How effective is hormone therapy? How did you know whether or not the radiation was effective other than its spread to the bones? Psa is indicative but it's not a guaranteed insurance that the radiation targeted the cancer. As you can tell, I have so much on my heart and I know you understand. You seem to have a courage that I find comforting...

Sameera

Hi David,

I read with interest your comments on taxatere. I am about to start a course and am wondering if the side effects are bad enough to prevent me having a last fling at skiing in Colorado USA. The major fatigue factor in your message is the one that has me concerned. Does it come in daily bouts or just fatigue all the time ?

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Basil