Hi there! I thought I would add an update about my father. Unfortunately the bone scan and ct results were delayed a bit due to Christmas but we got the results yesterday. He has already began the hormone therapy, started on tablets and now on injections. His cancer has spread to his lymph nodes and bones, specifically his spine, hips, legs and ribs. We have not been given any idea of treatment plan or prognosis yet but I am preparing myself for the worst..

Hi Grace its c**p isnt it my hubby had is results IT has spread to his bones only the middle area and spread to 2 lymph nodes in his stomach but im guess the little bit of good news we had was his PSA level before ewe knew he had cancer was 776 but after having 1 testosterone injection it ha dropped to 81 which think hospital was a little shocked that it had dropped that much which is amazing so something clearly is working for my hubby he hasnt started any treatment for his bone cancer as yet we speak to somebody on the 6th of feb regarding more treatment keep in touch hun be nice to talk we are in the same situation 

Hi.  Christmas and New Year went ok but always thinking of the upcoming treatment - no doubt like yourselves. Had my first Chemo session on Monday and really feeling the effects. Very little sleep for three nights - that’s likely the steroids - but did good last night. Aching all over my skeleton but not unduly so - hips especially.  Sore mouth from Chemo but have a special mouthwash for that -  5-7 days should sort that. Now on a long course of Daralutamide (NUBEQA]  which, I read, blocks testosterone from reaching prostate cancer cells and hopefully the Chemo will do its best to kill off those cancer cells. Other pills for constipation etc.  Injections starting tomorrow to replenish good blood cells that the Chemo has killed off. Apparently the first week after any Chemo session is the worst. PSA at last weeks test is down to .97 - so something is working. Keep me posted. Thanks. 

Hi Grace,

I be just posted an update to Woodywood1.  Seems like your father has the same as myself.  Has he had a biopsy yet and Gleason score ? What was his initial PSA ? It seems to drop dramatically at first from the start of hormone treatment. 

my husbands geason score was 4x5=9 dont realy know what the gleason score means TBH

Hi. Mine was 5 + 4, so slightly worse, but anything with a 9 total is considered as high risk. My understanding is that I have more 5 than 4 from the prostate core samples taken and hence why 5 came first.  5 is the highest rating which is decided by microscopic investigation of the cancer within the core samples taken during the biopsy.  No doubt your consultant will go through the options on February 6th, which should include the Chemo option and prognosis with or without Chemo treatment.

Hi.  The Gleason score is based on the aggressiveness of cancer found in the core samples obtained from the biopsy - nothing to do with bones. My understanding is that a score is applied to each core sample, with the number of cores taken being decided by the size of the prostate, with samples being taken from all areas. I had 32 cores taken. Of those, I had more 5’s than 4’s - hence 5+4 and a Gleason of 9.  The PSA drop from 776 was quite substantial and shows that the initial ADT therapy has worked and should continue to work.  The consultant will obviously go through the treatment options on February 6th and you’ll be given a time frame to decide - it seems that there is a specific start point if chemotherapy is chosen as part of the treatment . 

they took 6 biopsys from my hubby 

OK.  That doesn’t seem very many - I was expecting 24 and ended at 32. Have you received a biopsy report letter with the details from the consultant? A copy will go to you and his doctor.