Lori,

You and your husband have our sympathy.  I know how hard this is
for both of you.  He is very young to have developed this disease.

At this point, the standard prostate treatments - radiation or surgery,
are probably not effective since the cancer appears to have spread
beyond the prostate.  The major form of treatment that is still
effective is hormone suppression therapy (HT).  This can stop the
cancer from growing, but not kill it.  In rare individuals it can stop
the growth for decades, but a few years is a more usual outcome.

HT will likely add some years to your husband's life, and also give
you some time to look into other treatments.  There are clinical trials
underway on various types of chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies,
anti-tumor viruses, anti-angiogenesis drugs, and other experimental
treatments.  One or more of these may turn out to be a breakthrough
treatment that can cure the disease, or at least hold it in remission
for an extended period.

You can get more information about prostate cancer in general
from many sources on the web.  One source that I'm familiar with
is the National Cancer Institute website.  Their prostate cancer
web pages begin at:

  http://cancer.gov/cancer_information/cancer_type/prostate/

From there you'll also be able to find information on clinical trials
of new therapies that might be helpful.

The long term outlook for a man with your husband's diagnosis
is currently not good.  But medical science is advancing rapidly.
It is definitely possible to postpone full-blown symptoms of the
disease with HT, and each year that the disease can be held
at bay is another year that the scientists have to come up with
new treatments.

I wish you the best in this terrible time.

  Alan

hi lori - i'm sorry to hear about what's going on.  i did send you an
article to let you know that their are studies in this area and that it
is possible to get enrolled for an experimental treatment for offered to
the public.

~ curtis

knowledge is power - growing old is mandatory - growing wise is optional

i just got the email sent back stating you have a spam blocker on your
email address.  if you want the article, let me know.

~ curtis

knowledge is power - growing old is mandatory - growing wise is optional

Lori,

Dwight Fitzmaurice is the only one here, that I know of, less than 41 when
diagnosed.  I think he was 39.  Prostate cancer at 40 is extremely rare.  It
is so rare, in fact, that when my father was having symptoms in 1972, they
sent him to a psychiatrist before a urologist.  He was 40 and was not
diagnosed until 42.

It is a tremendous shock, especially in that it is already advanced in your
husband.  All I can say is that there are treatments that will bring his PSA
down to less than 0.1 very quickly.  After that, it's a waiting game.
However, during the game, science is advancing tremendously and a cure is
possible in say 10 years.

Please stick around and keep us apprized.

Hi, Lori....

I'm sure you must still be in shock! :(
As so many have already said, this is a very rare occurence.
Hormone Therapy would be the immediate plan of attack.
I know a guy who has been on HT for over 6 years... and his PCa has been
held at bay.  I wish the same for your husband... and that in the near
future some cure for this disease will be found.
Someone else mentioned clinical trials.... most definitely, check them out!!

My thoughts are with you both.  Please keep us posted.

MikeH

Scary isn't it.

48 yrs old.  PSA 640 gleeson 7, T4, with widespread bone mets Easter
last year.

Zoladex knocked the PSA down to 14 but recently gone up to 16.
Started Casodex & awaiting PSA results later this week.

Have had 3 lots of monthly Zometa for the bone mets.  Only the right
shoulder playing up a bit so far.

Doesn't look good but there is help *out there*

John Preston
GSX1400

Lori,

I wish I could say something to help. My husband was diagnosed at 42 after
six months of elevated psas. How long he had it before--who knows? His,
however, was caught early. Only downside so far for us is positive surgical
margins. I can only imagine what you are going through. If I can do
anything, lend an ear or a shoulder, let me know.

i cannot give you advice, but i can give my prayers and hope. all things
are possible when we pray.

I know of another person who is in the same boat but is a little bit older.
I think maybe you might find his wife a good source of information and
support. They are a great couple. Email me and I'll pass your email addy
along to them.
Bev