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Christopher Ivy and Virginia live in North Carolina, USA . He was 58 when he was diagnosed on May 05, 2008. His initial PSA was 7.7 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6 and he was staged T1c . He is undecided as to his choice of trearment . Here is his story.

I have been following my PSA for several years.

In 12/04 PSA was 3.0,
12/05 4.7,
01/07 5.1,
07/07 5.2,
01/08 7.4,
03/08 7.7, and
06/08 7.7.

Two previous biopsies came back normal but the latest results was one core positive with 3% of tissue being cancerous.

I have had a bone scan which showed no problems.

A second opinion on the biopsy confirmed the results of the first biopsy. I received those results yesterday.

Have talked with physicians regarding external radiation and seeds. It seems that all I hear is why radiation is bad from the urologist and why removing the prostate is bad from the radiologists.

I am open to active surveillance with a little reluctance from my wife. I feel the missing piece is a color Doppler ultrasound. Have consulted with Dattoli Cancer Center who would do the color Doppler as well as some other tests. Their initial response from reviewing my biopsy information is that I would probably benefit from both external beam radiation and seeds.

I am have an appointment with my urologist this week where I plan to discus my apprehensions on treatment and I consult with a medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, and urologist at Duke University Medical Center scheduled for later in July.

Any suggestions are welcome particularly sites that offer Color Doppler ultrasound. I am especially interested in sites near North Carolina but will go to Florida if need be.

Is there anyone out there that is using the color Doppler, PSA follow up, and additional biopsies to follow their cancer rather than radiation or removal?

Also if I did need to proceed with a treatment neither option seems to be better choice. I am leaning toward removal based on the fact that the side effects are pretty much known right away as waiting for a few years to see what develops after radiation treatment.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

UPDATED

July 2008

 

 

 

Since I received my diagnosis in May I have done a lot of reading, talking with folks, and further consultation with doctors.

I got a second opinion on my biopsy which confirmed the original diagnosis of one of twelve cores positive at 3%, and Gleason of 6. PSA in March and June was 7.7, and I am looking forward to a new PSA in September.

I had several replies from my post on YANA which were helpful to me. I felt comfortable with Active Surveillance but there was some hesitation from my wife and I still think she would prefer some treatment but has become supportive of my decision. I had a consult with my urologist who was respectful of AS although he does not feel that I should wait too long possibly 6 months to 2 years.

Yesterday I had a consult with a multidisciplinary team at Duke's Prostate Center. All three people we met were extremely professional and respectful of my position. After reviewing my medical information and talking with my wife and me they supported my decision to wait. They recommended low fat diet, supplements of Vitamin D and Calcium, Soy Milk and Flax seed It was a monumental day for us.

I will continue to monitor my PSA every three months and proceed from there. Thanks to the men who responded to my earlier post, their support was helpful in getting me from May to July.

Will update with PSA reports in the future.

 

UPDATED

October 2008

 

 

I had a new PSA done at the end of September which was 5.5. This is down from 7.7 in June. Not sure what it means other than it did not go up. Continuing on supplements of Vitamn D, fish oil, flax seed, and excersize. Will meet with the urologist next week to discuss my situation. Not sure what else can be done at this time other than be pleased that the PSA did not go up!.

Christopher's e-mail address is: civy7@aol.com