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Is bone scan and ct scan protocol after ptostate surgery if psa
Asked by lindi143 on Monday, August 17, 2015
Is bone scan and ct scan protocol after ptostate surgery if psa
Is a 3. Very scared
9 Answers from the Community
geekling
Hello, I have no doubt someone will be along to answer your question but you need a MUCH better relationship with your husband's doctor. You need, really need to stop nodding your head and then making a query here.
Please do not misunderstand me. These questions and answers are ti make our lives easier but you need to stop the doctor and make him explain things. Why he wants to do this. Whay not that? It is important that you understand his thinking. If the doc either cant or wont simplify his reasoning for you ... well, Einstein said that if a person cant explain in simpler terms, odds are good that person doesn't understand the topic either. Sometimes secobd opinions save lives and soetimes not.
I am reluctant to hazard a guess because I simply don't anything except that nothing about cancer is normal or usual.
http://m.cancer.org/cancer/prostatecancer/detailedguide/prostate-cancer-treating-treating-pain
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20029597
The pages say that a 3 is a very low number but the bone scan is for more aggressive cancers. You need to have a heart to heart with the doctor. Please do not follow blindly along. Information is power and power need not fear.
Best wishes
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over 5 years agogeekling
here is more:
http://www.pcf.org/site/c.leJRIROrEpH/b.5839305/k.884A/Follow_Up_Care.htm
https://www.oncolink.org/experts/article.cfm?id=1330
http://www.harvardprostateknowledge.org/how-to-handle-a-relapse-after-treatment-for-prostate-cancer
Best wishes, again. What was your hubby's score before any treatment? There seem to be reasons both for and against these additional tests. Just remember, please, that the two of you are stronger together and fear is neither necessary nor helpful. It just wastes energy that can be used to help him be well.
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over 5 years agolindi143
Thank you Geekling for you help. We have been in such shock that at the time we could not really think. I am doing research as I am not blindly following the doctors I really dont have much faith in them knowing all I am not one of those people who think doctors are all knowing. WE have not been nodding our head and taking eveyrthing the doctor says. I appreciate the links and will look at them but I do resent your assumption that we are just nodding our head. That is very presumptions and condesending and no one facing cancer needs that attitude sent to them. . I have gotten great knowledge and support from this page. It helps to here what others have been through.It takes a while to digest all of this but the help form others ontheis page has been invaluble. i do apperciate your response and the links.Also, fear is juse the way it is fear makes one look deeper yes it wastes energy but how can you have cancer and not have fear,
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over 5 years agoKBAJ (Best Answer!)
Dear Lindi, Our doctor did the CT and bone scan BEFORE the surgery. It was my understanding that the protocol was to do them prior to surgery because, if any metastasis was found, there would be a different path of treatment. (i.e.. maybe chemo and androgen depletion therapy). BUT, the one thing I've found in all my research is that there is not just ONE way to skin this cat. (that's a horrible saying, isn't it? but you get my meaning?) My husband's tests were negative and yet, 6 weeks after surgery his PSA was 0.53, so we have to assume their are some prostate cells, maybe cancer cells) still left in his body, somewhere. Thus we are proceeding with adjuvant radiation therapy directed to the prostate bed (the area where the prostate sat before it was removed). Just got Proton radiation approved by insurance company but now he has to have a colonoscopy before he gets started on that since he hasn't had one in a few years and you cannot have one for at least a year after radiation due to possible complications with an irradiated bowel. So, that's my quest for the day... trying to get that scheduled for this week so we can get this show on the road. 7-8 weeks of radiation (mon-Fri) is expected and we have a trip planned in late November that we don't want to miss! Hope your husband is feeling okay. Have you all ever tried yoga to help with meditation and relaxing. It does seem to lessen the effects of stress. Depending on where you live, some cancer centers offer it specifically for cancer patients and spouses. Good luck!
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over 5 years agolindi143
KBAJ, Thank you so much. I am so sorry you and your husband are going thru this. I think he will have the same thing The cells in the prostate bed. They were quite sure it ws contained mostly that is why they did not do the tests before. Since the PSA is supposed to go to 0 after the surgery his is at 3 so that is the reason for the test and also why we are so concerned . Yes there are many ways and no cancer is alike. We go Wed for the results. It just does me so much good to talk to others who have been there or are in the same place. it takes while to figure out all the info.Yes he feels fine just very nervous he has never been sick so it is really hard for him to give up control.I think he will be on the same path as yall are radiation for 2 mos. i sure hope you can get started and not miss your trip.
Thank you again for your answer and I hope you get it all scehduled and it underway.
Good Luck and enjoy your trip.
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over 5 years agojandc
Yes, that seems to be the protocol. The oncologist is probably just being proactive to make sure nothing has spread. My husband's PSAs were in the 20s-50s before they diagnosed mets.
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over 5 years agolindi143
Thank you JANC it sure helps to hear what others have been thru. I appreciate your helping me.Linda
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over 5 years agomustangray
Hello Lindi, I had prostate surgery in2009 It was a grade 2 with gleason score of 6. Over the years my psa level increased to .3 Doctor recommend having radiation treatments. He stated if I wanted any longer once my psa was above a 2.0 the cancer would start to spread thought my body. I was given a ct scan and an MRI. This is to see if the cancer has spread and to prepare you for the radiation treatments by seeing now the organs and area around the prostate bed looks like. Due to my bowel being lower than normal I need to lie on my stomach instead of being on my back , which is the normal way of doing the treatments.I'm now into my 4th week of treatments. I wish you and your the best of luck in his treatments.
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over 5 years agolindi143
Thank you mustangray. I appreciate the info. It is so
Helpful. I hope you do well with the treatments and again thanks for sharing with me
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