Castration

I am a 70 year old man who was diagnosed (biopsy) with PC in January 2010, Gleason 4+3. I had a combination of high-dose internal and external radiation that spring. In late 2011, PSA rose to 7.88, then to 13.5 three months later. Started Lupron injections. PSA on 4/13/2012 was 1.32, and on 5/25/2012 it was 1.72. Started Casodex and continued Lupron. A June 2012 bone scan showed a small spot on spine L1, which was confirmed to be prostate cancer by biopsy.

My Urologist has suggested that I consider surgical castration, and since I have no further use for the parts in question and see no likelihood of discontinuing the testosterone suppression injections, it seems reasonable. I would like input from anyone who has some to offer.

Surgical castration is equivalent to Lupron shots. Since your psa is rising on Lupron, meaning Lupron is not working, I am curious why the Urologist thinks surgical castration is going to be of some cancer control benefit. I just do not get it.

Also I would not assume you will be on Lupron forever. You are likely to stop Lupron and go on to other drugs or treatments. 

Also you should add to your treatment team a medical oncologist as you are getting to the end of what a Urologist can help you with.

See a very good short article written by a prostate cancer specialist called “Royal: The Fifth Shade “ about treatment options of the disease at your stage at: 

http://www.prostate-cancer.org/pcricms/node/490

Gene

On Jul 08, 2012 7:07 PM harryellery wrote:

I am a 70 year old man who was diagnosed (biopsy) with PC in January 2010, Gleason 4+3. I had a combination of high-dose internal and external radiation that spring. In late 2011, PSA rose to 7.88, then to 13.5 three months later. Started Lupron injections. PSA on 4/13/2012 was 1.32, and on 5/25/2012 it was 1.72. Started Casodex and continued Lupron. A June 2012 bone scan showed a small spot on spine L1, which was confirmed to be prostate cancer by biopsy.

My Urologist has suggested that I consider surgical castration, and since I have no further use for the parts in question and see no likelihood of discontinuing the testosterone suppression injections, it seems reasonable. I would like input from anyone who has some to offer.

Hi harryellery My prostrate cancer was around the same spot in my lower back. My doctor once told  me I would one day roll over in bed and then become a quod But because of the holistic stuff I have been on I seem to have got it under control Over the years I have learn a lot about cancer. I do know that after a while soon you cancer will become a none hormone dependent prostrate cancer. my  Psa was once well over a PSA of 13.8. and more but It turn around when I learn the trick is not to kill it off but learn how to control it At first I just went on to a strick compleax carobhydrates  diet and high dose antioxidents But there is so much stuff here on caancer compass you can use to control this. that we have tryed and has worked for us. you wont need to do this all the best Ray     

Stay on the hormones.  If you get castration you'll look like a girl in pants, as your penis will shrivel up as well, you'll feel horrible about yourself.  Staying on hormones gives you hope.

Yes i agree, staying on hormones gives you hope be it ever so small for the future.

On Jul 08, 2012 7:07 PM harryellery wrote:

I am a 70 year old man who was diagnosed (biopsy) with PC in January 2010, Gleason 4+3. I had a combination of high-dose internal and external radiation that spring. In late 2011, PSA rose to 7.88, then to 13.5 three months later. Started Lupron injections. PSA on 4/13/2012 was 1.32, and on 5/25/2012 it was 1.72. Started Casodex and continued Lupron. A June 2012 bone scan showed a small spot on spine L1, which was confirmed to be prostate cancer by biopsy.

My Urologist has suggested that I consider surgical castration, and since I have no further use for the parts in question and see no likelihood of discontinuing the testosterone suppression injections, it seems reasonable. I would like input from anyone who has some to offer.

 I found out in 2008 there are alterative way of geting it under control I know from reading  pass post on cancer compass that if the Lupron injections are not working  The Castration would be more then just about use less.  The reasion the Lupron injections are now  not working and  your PSA is now rising is that you cancer is now mostly a none hormone depentent cancer. I had high PSA and prostrate  bone mets  but Im in remision now because what Im now there are other way of fighting this let us know how you going with it

all the best Ray