New Diagnosis - Prostate Cancer

HI Everyone

My almost 79yo Father in Law was diagnosed with prostate cancer a few weeks ago and following a bone scan we found out yesterday that his ribs are showing signs that it has spread.  We have been told that it is at stage 4 (because it has spread), and that the treatment is hormone therapy (he is starting Bicalutamide today and will be getting his injection in a couple of weeks). The diagnosis isn't made any easier by the fact that I'm not sure he actually understands what is going on (he told a family member that he wasn't told anything except that he was being given a different injection for his type 2 diabetes - which he wasn't - luckily my partner is going to all these appointments with him).

Having read some leaflets about TNM staging and Gleason Scores etc - we haven't been given any of this information, as he didn't have a biopsy or any other scans (MRI or CT) - is this because after a DRE it was obvious that the cancer had spread or should he have been given these tests? We do know that his PSA was at 244.

We were given a stack of leaflets, which I haven't had chance to read yet - I'll do this over the weekend when I have far more time. Are there any other resources that have been invaluable to you? 

Thank you.

 

  • Hi im living with prostate cancer gone to lymph nodes spine ribs pelvis and a lung, was diagnosed Feb 2016, PSA 1581 .

    Only person who was a help was oncologist,he arranged my scans and biopsy,.im afraid im not much help , not much info out there really .

    im on permanent hormone therapy,had chemotherapy at beginning of treatment,had hormone injections 12 weekly one . hormone therapy is changed now and again to keep psa down its working well.

    I'm keeping positive and sure,im also a carer for my wife who has Alzheimer's and Parkinson's plus other problems.

    Side effects mainly are hot flushes and weight increase both can be handled over time some times more meds to help.

    if I can help please ask.

    Billy

  • Hi my Grandad is in the exact same position and same age. I have sent you a friend request so I can message you privately as our stories are very similar and maybe we could be of help to eachother? I am finding it very difficult to get solid information online and preferably information from someone who has been through it with someone first hand. 
    All the best. Hopefully talk to you soon

    amy