Stage 3A

1 min read

Age 53 psa of 5.7 then one month later 12. Biopsy showed prostate cancer gleason 7- 3+4. I decided to go with robotic surgery and had to wait almost 3 months to get in. Recovery went very well. Walked every day to keep active. Got my pathology report gleason went to 9-4+5 no seminal or lymph involvement and negative margins. 3 month checkup psa was <.05. Within the first year it gradually went up to .38. Had 39 radiation treatments and lupron. Been on lupron for a year and a year to go. Psa is now <.01 hopefully psa will stay that way after lupron is done!!! Anyone else with similar story?

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Doug Sparling Member
Glad things are going well for you. Bravo! My story’s only similar in that I’m also on Lupron. My dx was actually stage 4, PSA 5,306, Gleason 9 (5+4). Did six cycles of chemo and started Lupron at the same time. Done with chemo, will be on Lupron indefinitely. Last PSA was 22. Still elevated but much lower than 5,306 so I’m happy. Has been going down steadily since I started last November. Best of luck! Lupron has been a godsend.
1. Member
 Doug, thanks for your reply. Hope everything goes well for you, fight strong!!!!
kujhawk1978 Member
Similar, robotic surgery in March 2014, T2CNoMx, GS 8, margins negative, no ECE, seminal vesicles clear, 10% of prostate had cancer. PSA undetectable for 18 months then .2 and then .3. Did SRT in Mar 16, that failed... As PSADT and PSAV climbed to les than three months went to Mayo and had C11 Chiline scan, no bone or visceral involvement but four pelvic lymph nodes hot. Just completed six cycles of taxotere, 18 months of Lupron and 25 more radiation treatments, PSA undetectable so we are monitoring every three months for the next year and then decide to stay with three months or go to six.
1. Member
 I also had the C11 choline scan twice. Went to Decatur memorial hospital in Illinois, psa was to low to find anything both times. What was your psa at the time of the C11 choline scan? And if you don't mind me asking, how was the taxotere side effects.
dieselbgood Member
Hello, mine is similar, psa 17, had surgery, Gleason 8, 3+5, extensive seminal vessel involvement, extensive perineal invasion, over 90% of prostate involved. Stage 3, PT3b they called it. 6 wks after surgery, psa already 0.7, by 12 wks it was 1.0. Started 39 radiation treatments and two yrs of hormone therapy. So far psa is undetectable and been off of hormone therapy for over two yrs.
1. Member
 Hello dieselbgood, you said you have been on hormone therapy over two years, did you stop at the two year Point for a while to see if the psa went up? I've got three more injections coming then they will stop and see what happens.
2. dieselbgood Member
 They stopped it after the fourth 6mo injection but it ended up being Two mos over because twice they canceled my appt for injections so they were delayed
ninaw Community Admin
Hey <inline-mention user-id="3259890" username="dieselbgood"/> and <inline-mention user-id="3265195" username="kujhawk1978"/> , thanks for responding to <a href="https://prostatecancer.net/members/ironhead/" rel="nofollow">@Ironhead</a>. Glad to hear you're both undetectable now. I hope the side effects are not too tough either. Best to you. - Nina, <a href='https://prostatecancer.net' target='_blank'>ProstateCancer.net</a> Team
1. dieselbgood Member
 Thanks Ninaw, the radiation is what is causing all my side effects, but it's also the treatment that put it in remission, so I can't complain too much. I'm incontinent for life because the radiation damaged my urethra and bladder neck. I had to have emergency surgery because I was urinating blood and blood clots. And it could happen again ! No fun. Oh well. my cross to bear! Thanks for listening
2. ninaw Community Admin
 You can definitely still complain, <inline-mention user-id="3259890" username="dieselbgood"/> ! That sounds really tough. We've heard from a couple of people on Facebook who also had trouble with blood clots. And it didn't sound like anything could be done to stop them. Comment any time, and also feel free to share a story like the above here: <a href='https://prostatecancer.net/stories' target='_blank'>https://prostatecancer.net/stories/</a>. Wishing you well. - Nina, <a href='https://prostatecancer.net' target='_blank'>ProstateCancer.net</a> Team
kenneth1955 Member
First I want to say I 'm very happy for the men that are doing well and I hope you all heal better and better each year. I have read many of the posts that are put on and I'm so happy that all men are different. I must have been born with a different way of thinking. For now I do not have prostate cancer. But I have been deal with BPH retention and many infection. But I have decided that if I do get cancer I will do nothing. I will not do any surgery or procedure or even medication. I refuse to deal with the side effect of any of it. You have to many the worst is sexual and mental. I feel depressing is worst then cancer. I know we are all different but this is the way I feel I will do nothing because I will not live without a sex life or my ejaculation. I will not give up one for the other. Why should I have to. Most cancers are slow growing and you have a good 5 or 10 years before it will cause you a problem. I do love my kids and my grand kids but this is my life. My choice. I will not live half of a life. Remember all this is not for everyone and this is my opinion. God bless you all...Ken
1. sarah.wallin Community Admin
 Hi Ken, Treatment is a very personal choice and everyone has a their own way of dealing with and making this often very difficult decision. It's great that you've involved yourself in this community and have educated yourself about the many side effects (mental ones included). You can feel prepared with what you would do in this situation, though I hope you never find yourself in it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, and know that you always can. -Sarah (ProstateCancer.net Team Member)
baldybell Member
Hi, my Gleason scores were 4+3, 4+4 & 4+5. PSA was 3.7 when diagnosed. I had 8 weeks of radiation & just finished 2 years of lupron this month. Just waiting to see if it comes back. I wish you the best! Stay strong
1. Member
 Hi baldybell, I to finished 2 years of Lupron six months ago. just took PSA test last week, waiting nervously for results!! Hope the best for you and FIGHT STRONG!!!!!!!!!!!
dieselbgood Member
Almost same as me except I had more advanced cancer, extensive seminal involvement and perennial involvement.