My Dad has been just diagnosed

laylas33 · New User Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 2

Hi everybody

I am from Ireland and my dad has been just diagnosed with Prostate cancer, he has a series of tests the last month, biopsy, DRE, MRI and Bone Scan. The oncologist has advised that thankfully it hasn't spread outside the prostate and is a local diagnosis T1. however my dad has a very high pSA count of 317, which is very high when i see the variance is generally up to 20. the next step is radiation and which the oncologist believes will be a combination of beam and metal seeds. i am worried as the 317 is very high and with the stress and trying to ask all the questions i didn't ask about the gleason grade. will this show on a report or is it ok to call and ask for this or is deemed as another consultation.
this is the first serious ilness in our family and we are very worried
we are relieved that it has not spread, at this point but is there a likely of this happening after radiation. and is surgery generally the next step.
I would be very thankful ifor your feedback

Good health to you all

Claire

johnw100

I'd be requesting the full written report, and would suggest reading the book "Beating Prostate Cancer: Hormonal Therapy and Diet" by Dr Charles Myers.

One Case Study gives details of one of his patients diagnosed in December 2000 with PSA of 3656.

brainman

Hi Claire,
Just a suggestion based on my experience... keep a notebook handy dedicated to your father's cancer. In it, list all his medications and a daily journal of how he is doing, AND (more to the point) a list of questions to ask your father's medical team. Take it with you when you go with your father to his oncologist and take your own notes. After, review your notes and start a new list of questions for the next appointment or for this forum. You have already learned one thing... you did not get or do not remember his Gleason score. In time, you will find out that the more you know the better focused your questions will be.

As to his high PSA, has he started treatment yet? While 317 is very high, you need to watch for a trend during treatment. It should begin to go down. As long as it is overall going down, the treatment is working. Don't worry if there is an occasional rise... it is the long-term trend that you need to be following.

Good luck and God bless you and you father,
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1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
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laylas33 · New User Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 2

Thank you both for your feedback, I appreciate it very much

rlee · Site Admin Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 245

Claire,
A PSA of over 50 is considered high and at 317, this is very high. Most oncologists a PSA at this level would mean a high likelihood of metatstatic disease even if not seen on MRI or bone scan. Thus many would not pursue local therapy as it is unlikely to change things if he had metastatic disease. Consider a 2nd opinion.
_________________
RLee, MD

Any information provided is NOT intended to provide specific medical advice to users but rather to provide users with information to help them better understand their health condition and related care. All readers are strongly encouraged to consult with a qualified physician for answers to their personal medical questions.

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