CancerCompass message board discussion started by BrandyK on 2/21/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,21170,0.htm Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ My dad has prostate cancer. His PSA level is 14. They have done the hormone shot..which by the way what does that do? Now he is starting radiation in 2 weeks. The want to do a CAT scan first. Is that to see if it has spread? How fast can it spread? I'm wonderind b/c he had to wait 2 months in between the hormone shot and the radiation. Concerned daugther BrandyK Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Unfortunately there are a lot of grey areas with PC diagnosis, which includes the various imaging tests which do not always provide the black and white answers desired.The tests are done to help  determine whether the PC is still confined. No one knows how quickly it might spread, as it sometimes remains indolent for considerable time.Full diagnosis, Gleason scores, % of cancer in biopsy cores, rate of PSA change is information which  can provide a better insight.Hormone treatment is believed to improve the effectiveness of radiation treatment.  It is aimed at reducing testosterone levels and can shrink the prostate.Hormone therapy can slow the advance of PC, sometimes for a prolonged time, which is why it is also used longer term in high risk situations.   Johnw100 Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT First of all, most men die with prostate cancer, not because of it. By the way I have had prostate cancer.Treatment depends on his age, whether the cancer is contained within the prostate and how "aggressive " it is and any serious medical conditions he has.He has  several options:Do nothing. Eat tomatoes and drink pomegranite juiceHave surgery.  You know exactly where you If it fails you can then go on to radiotherapyHave some form of radiotherapy  You never really know whether it has worked and so develop an anxiety about your next PSA result.  If it fails, you cannot go for surgery.  If he wishes to ask me any questions, I would be glad to help.  I have researched prostate cancer now for 8 years and know where treatments are going. Hope this helps Ken Youngps I am 68  Kennethnz Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT it can definitly spread- how fast no one know.   my dad had the surgery and it spread with in months (the suregery cause it for him to spread).  he has been on hormonal shots for years and it eventually stopped working and then it spread to his bones.  he has never done radiation or chemo (once u do - the body is weakend),  If he does that make sure he changes his diet (do research on alternative treatments for pc) no sugar, no meat and if he does no red and only chic and fish that is organic!  supplemts etc... many site out there... cancercure.com or cancertutor . best, sophia Smpal Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT