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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Prostate Cancer / February 2005

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My update and a few questions

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SY - 27 Jan 2005 02:41 GMT
I haven't posted for awhile, but now need some fresh input. Had RRP on
Oct. 2000, and, since then, had my PSA rising pretty steadily from
<.03 in April '03 to .08 in just a few days ago. Back last July, when
my PSA oddly went from .06 to .05, my surgeon, who is the lead author
of the JAMA paper on salvage radiotherapy, suggested that I repeat PSA
in 6 months, and if it goes above .06, go for radiotherapy. Well, now
it's .08.  I no longer live in a city with a famous prostate cancer
center, but in a much smaller city, two hours north of Boston. I have
had a perfunctory contact with a urologist here, but it's my
understanding that we have a decent medical center, with a cancer
radiologist practice, etc.

So, here are my questions. Has anybody had a similar situation? Has
had salvage radiation? Are there any kind of super-duper new
technologies that would warrant me going to Boston? (Although it's
only 2 hours away, but I'm very busy at work, and can't afford to just
disappear for several weeks). What is the process? What sorts of
complications should  I expect from radiotherapy?  What is their
likelihood? Any precautions I should take?

Sorry for so many questions, but I'm really worried. Back in 2000, I
went for a biopsy, completely convinced that it would be negative.
After my surgery, I similarly convinced myself that I was done with my
cancer for good. Looks like I'm not a good prognosticator.    
James A. Honeychuck - 27 Jan 2005 07:08 GMT
SY,

Who knows how many of us might have had a similar situation, when our
readings just say "<0.1"?

I'm not a doctor, but I have to challenge the statistical significance
of your low readings.  The fact that your reading actually went down in
July supports my skepticism.

jimhoney

> I haven't posted for awhile, but now need some fresh input. Had RRP on
> Oct. 2000, and, since then, had my PSA rising pretty steadily from
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> After my surgery, I similarly convinced myself that I was done with my
> cancer for good. Looks like I'm not a good prognosticator.    
ronju99 - 27 Jan 2005 13:10 GMT
My urologist tells me that it's not unusal to have some benign prostate
tissue left over after surgery that may be the cause for the low PSA
results. He stated that his father was in his 70's and that his prostate
had almost fully grown back after surgery.
I'm surprised that your surgeon recommended further treatment for such a
low PSA as most authorities on the subject don't recommend addition
treatment until the PSA has reached 0.2 for two consecutive readings or
one reading of 0.4.
Ron S
SY - 27 Jan 2005 19:36 GMT
Well, as I'm sure you know, the article in JAMA privileges velocity
vis-a-vis the actual values.  This is their main point, and the
recommendation to start radiotherapy ASAP.

>My urologist tells me that it's not unusal to have some benign prostate
>tissue left over after surgery that may be the cause for the low PSA
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>one reading of 0.4.
>Ron S
Danny McCarty - 28 Jan 2005 03:03 GMT
>Subject: My update and a few questions
>From: SY simon_y7@yahoo.com
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
>After my surgery, I similarly convinced myself that I was done with my
>cancer for good. Looks like I'm not a good prognosticator.    

It is not a good idea to be convinced that you are rid of prostate cancer for
good.  It can recur 10 or 20 years down the road.  Be watchful but don't worry.
I'm on my second program of chemotherapy and will be lucky to be alive two
years from now, but I have hope.  This round has cut my PSA 60% so far.
Radiation can make you feel tired and cause a burning sensation when you
urinate.  The radiation oncologist recomended Grapefruit Juice for the latter,
when I had salvage radiation 3 years ago.  You might develop a bit of
incontinence and impotence after a year or two.  At this point, with PSA of
0.08, it wouldn't hurt to do another test in 6 to 12 weeks to see if it is
still going up.  There is no way to find the PCa cells at those levels, so one
must assume they are in the prostate bed.  The first visit, you go in, put on a
hospital gown, and lay on a "mattress" filled with fluid plastic which is
solidified while you lay there.  This is to hold you in identical position on
each visit.  You are then exposed to low power X-ray to determine the exact
position of your internal organs, so the radiation oncologist can map the path
of the radiation to miss them.  The radiation source is rotated around your
body, to expose the other tissue to the lowest dose possible while exposing the
"prostate bed" to the highest, and the beam is turned off at each point in the
circle where it would other wise go through an organ.
You visit the hospital each day, before work or after work, put on a hospital
gown, wait your turn, then lay on the table for twenty minutes or so.  That's
it.
Steve Kramer - 28 Jan 2005 23:08 GMT
Sy,

IMHO, you need not worry about fluctuating between 100ths of nanograms,
especially when you are below 1/10th of a nanogram.  I admit that if you
went from .03 to .05 to .08 that your velocity would be suspect.  But
bouncing back and forth between .03, .06, .05 and .08 would not bother me.
As you see, my numbers are now generally similar to yours, .07, .05 and .06.
I get my PSA next week.  If it's .08, I'm lighting another candle in church
in gratitude for His taking care of me.

Signature

Prostate Cancer Survivor (so far), not a doctor
PSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46
Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c
RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3bN0M0
PSA  .1  .1  .1  .27  .37  .75
EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47
PSA  .34 .22 .15 .21 .32
Lupron (1 mo) 07/21/2003 @ 48
PSA  .07 .05 .06
Lupron (4 mo) 8/03 (48), 12/03, 4/04 (49), 09/04 (50)
non Illegitimi carborundum

> I haven't posted for awhile, but now need some fresh input. Had RRP on
> Oct. 2000, and, since then, had my PSA rising pretty steadily from
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> After my surgery, I similarly convinced myself that I was done with my
> cancer for good. Looks like I'm not a good prognosticator.
SY - 29 Jan 2005 01:24 GMT
For whatever this is worth, I'll tell all of you of my very--well,
somewhat--enlightening conversation with the head technologist of our
immunology lab.  She looked over all past data and confirmed that
they're just as I remembered them.  :)  She reanalyzed my last sample
and came up with the same value, .08.  She said that the .05 value
that followed two .06s could have been within the margin of error,
especially since, at that time, they started using another batch of
reagent.  She offered to collect another sample on Monday, analyze it
locally and also send it to another lab as control, but also because
there they do immulite assays.

She did say, however, that it's more than likely that .08 is accurate
and that I did, in fact, had had a sequential increase.  That, of
course, pretty much takes me away from the ultrasensitive tests game
and back to the main issue--how high is high enough?  Too high?

Steve, in addition to your two aspirins, can you answer this?  :)

>Sy,
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>I get my PSA next week.  If it's .08, I'm lighting another candle in church
>in gratitude for His taking care of me.
ron - 29 Jan 2005 02:56 GMT
Sy...IMO, your situation illustrates the advantages of ultrasensitive
testing.  You have a very early heads-up that something may be
happening.  It gives you an opportunity to 1) collect more data, 2) ask
questions and collect information and 3) begin to strategize and plan;
all without feeling rushed.  If I found myself in a similar situation,
I might start having monthly ultrasensitive tests to see if the PSA
trend is confirmed and if so, what the PSADT is.  McNeal's (a noted
surgeon and PCa researcher) paper entitled "Biochemical recurrence
without PSA progression characterizes a subset of patients after
radical prostatectomy. Prostate-specific antigen" may be of interest to
you (Urology 61:380-5, 2003).  They identify a subset (8.8%) of RP
patients who progress at such a slow rate (PSA increase < 0.028
ng/ml/year) that there was no clinical evidence of progression at 10
years post RP.  Depending on your age and your PSADT, you can determine
if treatment may be necessary.  If you are a relatively young with no
other significant morbidities, and your PSADT turns out to be <10
years, you'll probably want to take some type action (RT, HT)...Best
wishes and good health, Ron
JohnG - 29 Jan 2005 05:34 GMT
> For whatever this is worth, I'll tell all of you of my very--well,
> somewhat--enlightening conversation with the head technologist of our
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Steve, in addition to your two aspirins, can you answer this?  :)

This is interesting.   I had my RP 3 years ago, almost to the day, and
just got my annual PSA reading of <0.1    My surgeon has taken a job
elsewhere, so the last two years I just went to my regular physician.
I mentioned the more sensitive test to him this time.  He didn't know
about it, but said he would check.

But I haven't been sure I wanted to know if my PSA had been going up
under the <0.1 radar.   And I was also feeling pretty good about going
three years without anything at that level.

So now you're making me wonder.  I'm curious as to how old you are.  If
you'd rather not say, I can stifle my curiosity.   But it seems to me
I'd deal with the situation differently at different times of life,
though I can't say for sure just what the difference would be anywhere
in, say, the next 10 years.   (I'm 56 now.)

Back when my surgeon was ordering my PSA tests, he never suggested
anything other than the one I'm getting.  He's now head of Harvard's
clinic, and learned under Walsh.  He thinks 0.2 is the cutoff for taking
action.   At my first visit with him we discussed the issue of salvage
radiation before my surgery, and the issue of sooner vs later.  He told
me why he didn't think the studies favoring "sooner" were any good, and
told me why, but I don't remember any more what his reasoning was.  I
had almost forgotten we had had that discussion.   But it was over 3
years ago, and I suppose there is new stuff now.   Also, he's the
surgeon and is not the person who would be in charge of any action to
deal with a recurrence, so I kind of feel I'm on my own now.  I like my
primary physician -- he's the one who first said the word cancer at me
-- but this is not his area.

I don't even think I want an authority telling me what to do.  I sure
wouldn't mind knowing the opinions or any of them who would be willing
to tell me, but I don't like being pressured into following one
recommendation or the other.

Then again, I'm not in your shoes.   Well, maybe I am, but don't realize
it.

Trying to decide if I want to ask for the more sensitive test, or just
leave well enough alone...  Maybe I need a big brown bag to put over my
head.

Thanks for telling us what you're going through.   I'm not very good at
telling people what to do, but we'll be cheering you on.

JohnG
SY - 29 Jan 2005 14:46 GMT
Hi, John.  First of all, I'm a few months short of 59.  Had my surgery
at 54.  

Secondly, my post-op PSA, when it was undetectable, was reported as <
.03.  If one considers < .1, then mine is still < .1, even though it's
now supposedly detectable and got to .08.  It sounds like your surgeon
is a proponent of the cutoff point.  In that case, you (and I)
wouldn't have to do anything at the moment.  OTOH, if one considers
the velocity idea, then I already have something to think about.

Lastly, I don't want anybody telling me what to do (not good at
following orders), but I'd like somebody I can trust give me some
solid information, so I can make my own decisions.  Thanks for the
good wishes and the same to you.

SY

>This is interesting.   I had my RP 3 years ago, almost to the day, and
>just got my annual PSA reading of <0.1    My surgeon has taken a job
[quoted text clipped - 42 lines]
>
>JohnG
I.P. Freely - 29 Jan 2005 17:52 GMT
"SY" <simon_y7@yahoo.com> wrote >
> Lastly, I don't want anybody telling me what to do,
> but I'd like somebody I can trust to give me some
> solid information, so I can make my own decisions.

Therein lies the problem. For almost every solid piece of PC information,
there's a credible contradiction. There are exceptions, of course, but even
the exceptions have exceptions, just as the meds to cover up SEs have their
own SEs. That's why it took me MANY weeks of full-time research to form and
support my decision not to rush into the post-RP preemptive hormone therapy
my docs recommend. I'm quite convinced now, but still wonder whether I've
missed a piece of information sufficiently vital to change my mind. (I doubt
it, now that my decision paper has been reviewed by this group and a whole
medical school urology and oncology board without any bullet holes in it.)

I.P.
Symptom-free, PSA-free, and watching verrrrry closely for the other shoe to
drop.
Steve Kramer - 29 Jan 2005 17:48 GMT
I am not a physician, not even close to one.  But, from an indicator for
treatment perspective, I'd say your technologist just muddied your waters
even further.  They find .06 and .06 using one reagent and then .05 and .08
using another.  You're still bouncing around in that "virtually
undetectable" standard.  You do not have your three-result pattern.  And, if
.05 is within the margin of error when compared to .06, then is .08 also
within that margin?  As I recall, the margin of error is .03.

Regardless of the argument you use, another PSA test is indicated.  Again,
in my unprofessional medical opinion.

> For whatever this is worth, I'll tell all of you of my very--well,
> somewhat--enlightening conversation with the head technologist of our
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> >I get my PSA next week.  If it's .08, I'm lighting another candle in church
> >in gratitude for His taking care of me.
ron - 29 Jan 2005 18:48 GMT
> I am not a physician, not even close to one.  But, from an indicator for
> treatment perspective, I'd say your technologist just muddied your waters
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> .05 is within the margin of error when compared to .06, then is .08 also
> within that margin?  As I recall, the margin of error is .03.

Steve...Best I can tell, SY's PSA history looks something like this:
<0.03 ng/ml  04/03
0.06        ?
0.06        ?
0.05        07/04
0.08        01/05
I don't know that I'd say it was "bouncing around", but another data
point or two should help clear things up.  In my mind, the question has
become, what is the rate of PSA increase?  Is it growing in a linear
fashion at something like 0.025 ng/ml/yr or is it growing in a
geometric (doubling) manner?  Again, a few more data points should help
clarify SY's situation.  BTW, the analytical detection limit with the
DPC Immulite ultrasensitive assay is 0.002 ng/ml and the functional
sensitivity is 0.005 ng/ml.  0.055 ng/ml might come back as 0.05 ng/ml
one day and 0.006 ng/ml the next, but <0.03 is different from 0.06
ng/ml...Best wishes and good health, Ron
SY - 29 Jan 2005 19:10 GMT
Actually, it looks like this:

< .03 (January '03, I believe)
< .03 (April '03)
 .05 (October '03)
 .06 (March '04)
 .06 (June '04)
 .05 (July '04)
 .08 (January '05)

>Steve...Best I can tell, SY's PSA history looks something like this:
><0.03 ng/ml  04/03
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>one day and 0.006 ng/ml the next, but <0.03 is different from 0.06
>ng/ml...Best wishes and good health, Ron
Steve Kramer - 29 Jan 2005 22:17 GMT
Okay.  I plotted the points and it shows a very definite, and very, very
slow rise over two years from <.03 to .08.  If anything, the
post-new-reagent .05 is the blip, and not the .08.

Now, I'm wondering, what to you ingest?  We know that Selenium, Licopene,
Green Tea, Vitamin E, et al., have positive effects on PCa.  Your PSA is so
low that I wonder if you wouldn't be the best candidate for a test to see if
it can be controlled by diet.

Of course, if you already use these 'natural' ingredients, then I guess I'm
closer to recommending RT.

Sorry.

Signature

Prostate Cancer Survivor (so far), not a doctor
PSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46
Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c
RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3bN0M0
PSA  .1  .1  .1  .27  .37  .75
EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47
PSA  .34 .22 .15 .21 .32
Lupron (1 mo) 07/21/2003 @ 48
PSA  .07 .05 .06
Lupron (4 mo) 8/03 (48), 12/03, 4/04 (49), 09/04 (50)
non Illegitimi carborundum

> Actually, it looks like this:
>
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> >one day and 0.006 ng/ml the next, but <0.03 is different from 0.06
> >ng/ml...Best wishes and good health, Ron
ron - 29 Jan 2005 22:52 GMT
I plotted the points and it shows a very definite, and very, very slow
rise over two years ...snip... Of course, if you already use these
'natural' ingredients, then I guess I'm closer to recommending RT.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

But Steve, if the growth is really slow (linear) as it is in a subset
of post-RP men (see my earlier reference), so that in 10 years SY's PSA
would be 0.32 ng/ml [0.08 + (10 x 0.025)], should SY really start RT?
Is the rate of SY's PSA increase linear or geometric?  This is the
question I raised above.  At this early stage, both models are
reasonable fits.  A few more data points are needed to make a
determination.  Once this question is answered, and other things are
factored in (for example, like SY's ranking of QOL vs. life extension)
a better decision can be made on whether or not treatment now would be
beneficial...Ron
Steve Kramer - 30 Jan 2005 01:01 GMT
ron,

I give much weight to your argument.  It is a really difficult decision.  I
am tremendously happy not having to make it.  I'm not even easy making a
qualified recommendation!

To answer your most pertinent question.... Yes, it is absolutely linear.  I
think 'doubling time' is undetermined.  It flat-lined at first.  Then it
doubled from April 2003 to April 2004 (1 year).  But, at it's current pace,
it may not double again before April 2006 (2 years).

And, yes, if he left it alone and it continued to rise at it's current rate,
he'd be at .83 by the time he was 90.

Good points all!

Signature

Prostate Cancer Survivor (so far), not a doctor
PSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46
Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c
RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3bN0M0
PSA  .1  .1  .1  .27  .37  .75
EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47
PSA  .34 .22 .15 .21 .32
Lupron (1 mo) 07/21/2003 @ 48
PSA  .07 .05 .06
Lupron (4 mo) 8/03 (48), 12/03, 4/04 (49), 09/04 (50)
non Illegitimi carborundum

> I plotted the points and it shows a very definite, and very, very slow
> rise over two years ...snip... Of course, if you already use these
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> a better decision can be made on whether or not treatment now would be
> beneficial...Ron
SY - 30 Jan 2005 00:51 GMT
I must confess that I'm not familiar with nutritional approaches.  I
take one Wal-Mart variety "mature" multivitamin pill a day (Lycopene,
included).  I don't drink green tea.  But was is supposedly controlled
by diet?  Appearance of the new carcinoma cells?

Thanks for plotting my PSAs.  I also calculated my PSADT and, unless I
screwed something up, it came to 24.25 years, whatever meaning it
really has.  

>Okay.  I plotted the points and it shows a very definite, and very, very
>slow rise over two years from <.03 to .08.  If anything, the
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
>Sorry.
Steve Kramer - 30 Jan 2005 01:16 GMT
Vitamin E and Green Tea are serious antioxidants, which I'm sure you know.
I take both; 1000 IU of E and Green Tea extract capsules.  We sometimes hear
of 'normal' Vit E not being the best, but it's what I take.  I take my
Lycopene in capsules, but then we are told that eating stewed or otherwise
cooked tomatoes is better.  I don't think there is any qualification to
Selenium.

Simply put, I think if you take on these vitamins and additives, you will
see a drop in your PSA and it will not be a false drop like you might see
with Sal Palmetto.

Signature

Prostate Cancer Survivor (so far), not a doctor
PSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46
Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c
RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3bN0M0
PSA  .1  .1  .1  .27  .37  .75
EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47
PSA  .34 .22 .15 .21 .32
Lupron (1 mo) 07/21/2003 @ 48
PSA  .07 .05 .06
Lupron (4 mo) 8/03 (48), 12/03, 4/04 (49), 09/04 (50)
non Illegitimi carborundum

> I must confess that I'm not familiar with nutritional approaches.  I
> take one Wal-Mart variety "mature" multivitamin pill a day (Lycopene,
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> >
> >Sorry.
I.P. Freely - 30 Jan 2005 06:16 GMT
But virtually every new clinical trial of the effects of antioxidants comes
up with no benefit, or even harm. The whole antioxidant hypothesis (about
neutralizing free radicals in our bodies) take another hit every few months
as each trial matures.

I.P.

> Vitamin E and Green Tea are serious antioxidants
Steve Kramer - 30 Jan 2005 12:44 GMT
That's a bold statement.  One that I would not necessarily agree with.

I don't intend to defeat it with my own research and citations, just want it
out there for those listening in that over the years we have seen abstracts
that show a probably corelation.

Signature

Prostate Cancer Survivor (so far), not a doctor
PSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46
Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), Tic
RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3bN0M0
PSA  .1  .1  .1  .27  .37  .75
EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47
PSA  .34 .22 .15 .21 .32
Lupron (1 mo) 07/21/2003 @ 48
PSA  .07 .05 .06
Lupron (4 mo) 8/03 (48), 12/03, 4/04 (49), 09/04 (50)
non Illegitimi carborundum

> But virtually every new clinical trial of the effects of antioxidants comes
> up with no benefit, or even harm. The whole antioxidant hypothesis (about
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> > Vitamin E and Green Tea are serious antioxidants
I.P. Freely - 30 Jan 2005 06:12 GMT
My doctor, who performs clinical trials for the VA and UWa, says there's no
sound clinical proof any foods affect PC.
??????????

I.P.

> We know that Selenium, Licopene,
> Green Tea, Vitamin E, et al., have positive effects on PCa.
Steve Kramer - 30 Jan 2005 12:43 GMT
Too true.  But would you not agree that he is in the perfect situation to
formulate some evidence in that arena?

Signature

Prostate Cancer Survivor (so far), not a doctor
PSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46
Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c
RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3bN0M0
PSA  .1  .1  .1  .27  .37  .75
EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47
PSA  .34 .22 .15 .21 .32
Lupron (1 mo) 07/21/2003 @ 48
PSA  .07 .05 .06
Lupron (4 mo) 8/03 (48), 12/03, 4/04 (49), 09/04 (50)
non Illegitimi carborundum

> My doctor, who performs clinical trials for the VA and UWa, says there's no
> sound clinical proof any foods affect PC.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> > We know that Selenium, Licopene,
> > Green Tea, Vitamin E, et al., have positive effects on PCa.
I.P. Freely - 30 Jan 2005 22:00 GMT
That's my point. Even though he does study the issue, he still can find no
food or supplement PROVEN to help. Leaves me dubious of all the claims I see
here and elsewhere to the contrary. But he does add that eating extra tomato
products and soy probably doesn't hurt . . . except that soy has been
implicated in PC by some researchers.

I.P.

> Too true.  But would you not agree that he is in the perfect situation to
> formulate some evidence in that arena?
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> > > We know that Selenium, Licopene,
> > > Green Tea, Vitamin E, et al., have positive effects on PCa.
No Spam - 01 Feb 2005 02:13 GMT
> My doctor, who performs clinical trials for the VA and UWa, says there's no
> sound clinical proof any foods affect PC.
> ??????????
>
> I.P.

Explain the very low incidence of PC in Japanese except those in the
U.S. Within a generation their PC rate soars to U.S. levels.

I'm guessing diet, tofu, green tea, fish, maybe daikon, who knows.

Another possibility is that it's the beef and pork in the U.S.
diet.  

A third possibility is the general shape, how much extra fat are you
carrying?  

Something affects it.
No Spam - 31 Jan 2005 23:56 GMT
> Now, I'm wondering, what to you ingest?  We know that Selenium, Licopene,
> Green Tea, Vitamin E, et al., have positive effects on PCa.  Your PSA is so
> low that I wonder if you wouldn't be the best candidate for a test to see if
> it can be controlled by diet.

I'm giving that a try but wonder if others have taken this approach.

basis:  My diagnosis was T1 (uro) or T3(rad-oncologist), Gleason
7=4+3 in one of a dozen needles, 8 months on Lupron; 25 IMRT
sessions at 4 months, palladium seeds at 5 months.  PSA 10+, 1.3,
0.8, < 0.1 at 3 month intervals.

so far, so good.  I'm shaking off the Lupron,  the discussions here
convinced me to ask the uro-doc to skip the 3rd shot.  I'm weaker
than I've ever been, no stamina, but have started exercising again.

Given that, I'm tilting my diet to anti-prostate cancer items.

3 bean chili with soy beans, crushed tomatoes, chili powder
and curry powder.  Is this tough duty?  Splash in some red wine
while cooking.  I do use steak chunks or ground beef but just a
little.  Works out to about 1 ounce of red meat per serving.

Avocado and green salad add spinich greens.  Crank up the
anti-oxidants.  Toss in blueberries when on sale.

Green tea.  I add orange juice or lime juice to jazz it up.   Drink
it by the gallon.

I figure that I'm laying down an anti-tumor environment and if I
keep up the diet for years, the cumulative effect will surpress a
resurgence of the cancer.
SY - 03 Feb 2005 00:21 GMT
A little update.  Just wanted to let you all know that I got a message
from my surgeon's office.  His recommendation--to get a bone scan, CAT
scan of the abdomen without and without contrast, chest X-ray, all for
the baseline, and go for SRT.  He plotted my psa results and concluded
that I'm "an excellent candidate for STR."  ;)  (I assume he
calculated my PSADT, which, according to my calculations, is 25.25
years.)  I asked them to put all their recommendations in writing and
send them to me.  It's a good thing, since I had to deal with a
goddamn HMO and every bit of paper may be helpful.

This is what I think I'm going to do.  I should get my new psas,
hopefully, this week.  To be honest, I don't expect them to be any
better than the one from last week.  In the meantime, I'm going to get
a few recommendations from the local colleagues as to which urologist
and/or medical oncologist in this town is most knowledgeable about pc.
I'm also going to get some names from the Dana-Farber Clinic (a very
high level cancer center) in Boston, including of a local radiation
oncologist (even though, I understand, in my city there are only
four.)

Then I'm going to see my local urologist (maybe), the urologist and/or
a medical oncologist, and the radiation oncologist these people
recommend.  And then decide.  OTOH, to be honest, I think it's just an
illusion, threading water, busy work, another attempt to find some
wonderfully logical piece of information which is going to make the
next step, if not easier, at least more rational, to pretend that I'm
"in control."  But I know that, in the end, it's going to be just an
arbitrary decision, and I already know what it's going to be.
I.P. Freely - 03 Feb 2005 01:12 GMT
You have bigger ones than I, getting RT or HT -- hell, a BAND-AID -- with a
PSA of .08 and a 25-year PSA DT. Think about it: at that rate you'll be
petrified before your PSA hits .16. I wouldn't risk a headache or pimple for
that, let alone an actual warm flash.

I'd be tempted to put all my PC books in a box in the basement, unsubscribe
from this newsgroup, go back to thinking PC stands for Political
Correctness, get on with an unencumbered life, take care of the things that
could actually threaten my QOL or heartbeat (e.g., cardiovascular system,
weight, smoking), ask my doc to call me in once a year for another PSA check
because I'm gonna put all that out of my mind, and goooooo fishing.

I.P.

> A little update.  Just wanted to let you all know that I got a message
> from my surgeon's office.  His recommendation--to get a bone scan, CAT
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> "in control."  But I know that, in the end, it's going to be just an
> arbitrary decision, and I already know what it's going to be.
 
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