Cancer in bone

Hi , I had my prostatectomy 3 years ago follwed by radiotherapy and been montiring every 3 months since which shows very small but steady growth . Dr says PSA is at stage where they think if it is still cancer then a soma pet scan will show. Got results today and shows that there is a single spot of cancer in my right pelvis. Right now Dr predicts they will decide next week in committee that as it is one spot they will do radiotherapy and hormone injections every 3 months just for 6 months and see what happens after.

I read that cancer in bone isn't curable or does it mean that when it is first found as stage 4 and too late . 
mos cancer in bone worse than if it was in body tissue. Need to ask Dr again. Is there still chance of cure at this stage 

  • Hello and thanks for posting,

    Radiotherapy cannot cure secondary prostate cancer, but it can treat the area, and control secondary prostate cancer to the bone for long periods, and help with symptoms. The aim is to reduce pain, strengthen the bone, and improve overall quality of life. 

    There is more information about this here,

    www.macmillan.org.uk/.../bone-cancer-secondary

    Sometimes other drugs called bisphosphonates are given as well, to strengthen the bones.

    www.macmillan.org.uk/.../bisphosphonates

    Your doctor will explain this to you, if this is being considered as well.

    Hopefully, you will get to find out more soon.

    Kind regards,

    Vanda

  • i was diagnosed with prostate cancer feb 2016 , it'd gone to lymph nodes spine ribs pelvis and a lung, my PSA was 1581now 0.04 it has gone up and down few times and change of treatment , hormone therapy worked wonders I had chemotherapy at beginning .i worked for two years after diagnosed metal fabrication and welding firm.

    Had to retire to look after my wife when she kept falling over bit after she was diagnosed with Altzimers and Parkinson's plus other problems. We still keep positive and doing things around the house and some shopping .alot of people live with cancer nowadays, its just get on with life,.i have monthly+blood tests and three monthly hormone injections .                                        Hope treatment goes well keep positive.

    Billy

  • Thanks for sharing that Billy . Truly inspirational and has given me hope . God bless

  • When you say riadotherapy can't cure secondary cancer, what do you mean , and does that mean it can cure primary and if so why is that. Thanks very much for replying 

  • Hi Herc, 

    I noticed you have a question for Nurse Vanda so I just wanted to let you know that our cancer nurses are now on their Christmas break and won't be back until the 29th December, so there will be a slight delay with a response.

    I'm sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

    All the best,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi with these hormone injections can u still work? I know it kills testosterone. Do u hv it every 3 months with no breaks ? Does it make u put on weight and grow man boobs . Do u still have sexual desire. Apologies for the questions 

  • Hi questions are fine no worries .I was working as i said before"metal fabrication and welding firm" for around 2years .i Hadto retire to look after my wife i put on weight nearly 2stone, Which has now mostly gone . with careful eating and exercise.  Still lacking energy but getting better .had small man boobs to start with hardly anything till I went on stronger hormone therapy tablets (given to men who want a sex change). .so boobs increase in size not to big though, wife quite likes them.

    The urge is still there but not as much with injections . tablets decrease the urge more especially strong ones 

    Still enjoy a good cuddle with the wife..

    Had injections over 5years now every 3months none stop.

    Good luck with your treatment 

    Billy

     

     

  • Hi herc bless you In October I found I too have although different secondary breast cancer resulting in bone spine mets, I recently underwent total right hip replacement due to extensive bone mets in pelvis,  after op I could run a mile after so much pain (I thought it was just a reoccurring hernia problem) but no it was the big c returned I have got another met in spine had a one off blast of radiotherapy, consultant did say although non curable it can be well managed, treatments today are so far advanced and have a good outcome so I'm quite optimistic a few problems with medication (injection once a month denosumab twice daily abermaciclib and letrozole) resulting in nausea but that's getting better with right anti sickness pills before I was thinking worse but now feeling quite hopeful I do hope you get a good team behind you and the right medication to go forward and hope you take comfort from the available help, although I know what your fears are, take comfort that your team will do the best for you and make this next chapter the best outcome and least anguish possible, my heart and thoughts are with you on your road and hope for many years of offering your experience to many others if needed x 

  • Hello and thanks for posting

    Cancer treatments can be quite complicated and what it can do for one person will be different to someone else.

    Most secondary cancers ( cancer that has spread from the primary site to somewhere else in the body) can't be cured but often treatment is given to try control symptoms such as pain and halt and control the cancer for as long as possible. 

    Radiotherapy targets a specific area/s of cancer and therefore if other cancer cells are also in the body the radiotherapy won't reach these.

    Most patients who take hormone therapy do try and continue to live life as normal as possible. Yes unfortunately there are known side effects that can be unpleasant but often things can be done to try and manage these. It is important to let your team know about any side effects so they can also help to try and find solutions.

    We have information about prostate cancer and treatments here.

    I hope this helps but do get back if you have more questions.

    All the best

    Naomi