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Prostate cancer

1 reply

citcatgirl45 · 02/10/2019 17:03

We have had some bad news today that my dad's prostate cancer has spread to the bones and lymph nodes. He was diagnosed about 3 years ago and as is a slow growing cancer it was monitored. He had a blood test 8 months ago which showed a raised PSA level but was still told not high enough to warrant anything other than just keeping an eye. 6 months after this blood test he went to the GP for something completley unrelated and the GP said "I see you havent had your MRI scan yet" No one had told him he needed an MRI and it never been requested because of this higher PSA on the blood test the GP rushed it through and the MRI was done along with a bone scan. These were both done about a month ago and there seemed no urgency and he was telephoned about 10 days ago to book an appointment for yesterday to discuss the results. He was told that the appointment would be with the nurse so we all thought as there seemed to be rush to see him things would be ok. Turns out they are not and it has spread to his bones and nymph nodes but as was only the nurse and not a Dr we have no idea how bad this really is..... she knew nothing. He will see an oncology Dr in a few weeks but until then he needs to start hormone therapy. I know there are hundreds of people diagnosed with cancer every day but they really don't seem bothered. So my question is prostate cancer that has spread treatable or is this terminal?? Does anyone know??

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 02/10/2019 19:12

Once prostate cancer has spread is isn't curable (as in, you can totally get rid of all the cancer and expect it not to come back), but it is treatable and people can live a long time. There are a few ways of treating - hormone treatment will turn off the supply of testosterone which 'drives' the cancer, but also there is fairly new evidence that treating the prostate with radiotherapy is beneficial in controlling the cancer outside the prostate. As well, there are ways of treating the cancer in the bone.

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