THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO AN UPDATE REMINDER IN 2019 SO THERE IS NO UPDATE.
I was diagnosed in 2005 at the age of 54. My PSA at diagnosis was 4.5. Treatment: external beam radiation and brachy. PSA started to rise in 2013. Treatment: spot cryotherapy. In 2016, my PSA spiked again and I was diagnosed with Advanced Cancer. Current mode: waiting for the next PSA in November. My oncologist/urologist at University of Washington indicated that my next line of treatment would be cycled ADT. I am not amused!
Since I first posted on YANA in 2016, I was waiting to find out if I ADT was my next line of treatment after external beam radiation & brachy therapy (2005) and cryotherapy (2013). My PSA began to rise above 1 in late 2014. I was monitored and underwent the usual tests and scans. No evidence of the cancer spreading was found. But my PSA continued to rise until it was nearly 20; At this point I sought treatment at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. After more tests and scans, I was told that 3 spots of concern could be seen, two in my right pelvis and one in my lungs. I underwent a lung biopsy which was negative. The two spots in the pelvic region were certainly bone mets and I started quarterly Lupron shots in May. Shortly thereafter, my oncologist recommended that I add aberaterone (Zytiga) daily based on positive results from two drug trials. My first PSA after the shot was 2+; the next PSA included the Zytiga and my PSA was 0.3. The Zytiga is nearly $10,000 per month but my husband's insurance agreed to cover it after my oncologist sent them a letter. My co-pay is $20 per month. I am very fortunate. My next PSA is the third week in January 2018. So far, I am tolerating the regimen well despite the usual side effects of ADT. I will post again January.
Ronald's e-mail address is: rogerdodd33 AT msn.com (replace "AT" with "@")
NOTE: Ronald has not updated his story for more than 15 months, so you may not receive any response from him.