Cancer Support

Peregrine Took

(7,412 posts) Thu Jul 25, 2019, 01:45 PM Jul 2019

Any hope for 82 yr old brother whose prostate ca is back?

He had his prostate removed 12 years ago and just found out, via a blood test, that it is back.

He is very pessimistic (as usual) so 'doesn't seem interested in treatments offered: radiation, hormones and immunotherapy.

He said he wants to die in his bed.

I always believe in doing tons of research to try to find one ray of hope to cling to and fight but this will be rough as I've looked up projections for survival at his age and they are pretty gloomy.

He's spry and walks 2 miles a day.

13 replies

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Any hope for 82 yr old brother whose prostate ca is back? (Original Post) Peregrine Took Jul 2019 OP

From what I understand, doctors are now evaluating medical treatments for prostate cancer.... Raster Jul 2019 #1

Thanks for taking the time Peregrine Took Jul 2019 #8

You are most welcome. There are options... Raster Jul 2019 #9

A lot of times for someone that old with that type of cancer is not treated. silentEcho Jul 2019 #2

It was my understanding was that at that age you will die with it not from it redstateblues Jul 2019 #5

Right. This is what I hear too. silentEcho Jul 2019 #6

My friend, a similar age as your brother, was treated with radiation @ National Institute for Health elleng Jul 2019 #3

You are a good sister.. asiliveandbreathe Jul 2019 #4

Thanks very for the comments. Peregrine Took Jul 2019 #7

There are things that can be done, but a lot will depend on your brother. If your brother is not still_one Aug 2019 #10

He needs a CAT or PET scan to see if cancer is back. SmartVoter22 Feb 2020 #11

there is always hope HermitageHermit Oct 2020 #12

Sorry to hear it. Well, my brother-in-law was just dxed Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2020 #13

Raster

(20,998 posts)

1. From what I understand, doctors are now evaluating medical treatments for prostate cancer....

Reply to Peregrine Took (Original post)

Thu Jul 25, 2019, 01:49 PM

Jul 2019

... based on age and quality of life...

https://health.usnews.com/conditions/prostate-cancer/treating-prostate-cancer

https://www.healio.com/family-medicine/mens-health/news/online/%7B5de6ea4b-ca38-4e9e-ae9e-fd8ade585e8c%7D/prostate-cancer-patients-underestimate-life-expectancy-without-treatment

http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/older-prostate-cancer-patients-246132

Peregrine Took

(7,412 posts)

8. Thanks for taking the time

Reply to Raster (Reply #1)

Sat Jul 27, 2019, 02:19 PM

Jul 2019

to link to these 3 articles. Very informative!

Raster

(20,998 posts)

9. You are most welcome. There are options...

Reply to Peregrine Took (Reply #8)

Sun Jul 28, 2019, 07:01 AM

Jul 2019

silentEcho

(424 posts)

2. A lot of times for someone that old with that type of cancer is not treated.

Reply to Peregrine Took (Original post)

Thu Jul 25, 2019, 01:50 PM

Jul 2019

Prostate cancer at that age is generally slow moving and they see a person ends up dying from something else. I know nothing about his situation and I am not a doctor so I am speaking from a clueless position. I just know a lot of men that age do not get treatment, are even advised not to get treatment.

redstateblues

(10,565 posts)

5. It was my understanding was that at that age you will die with it not from it

Reply to silentEcho (Reply #2)

Thu Jul 25, 2019, 02:48 PM

Jul 2019

because it grows so slowly

silentEcho

(424 posts)

6. Right. This is what I hear too.

Reply to redstateblues (Reply #5)

Thu Jul 25, 2019, 02:53 PM

Jul 2019

elleng

(130,732 posts)

3. My friend, a similar age as your brother, was treated with radiation @ National Institute for Health

Reply to Peregrine Took (Original post)

Thu Jul 25, 2019, 01:53 PM

Jul 2019

He did not have surgery. He's watched carefully, and is doing well. (ALSO hormones part of his treatment.)

asiliveandbreathe

(8,203 posts)

4. You are a good sister..

Reply to Peregrine Took (Original post)

Thu Jul 25, 2019, 02:22 PM

Jul 2019

I wish your brother only the best..the decision not to get treatment has to have you on edge..my best for your family.. your brother has had a blood test, and cancer has reappeared, after prostate removed..his doctor, I hope, will give him straight up advise. He has already been through a lot...your support can only help him going forward....please keep us posted..DU..is the best for support..

Peregrine Took

(7,412 posts)

7. Thanks very for the comments.

Reply to asiliveandbreathe (Reply #4)

Fri Jul 26, 2019, 11:12 PM

Jul 2019

Its kind of strange as he is confiding in our niece who is an RN and I'm hearing things via her.
For some reason he's cut me off communication but he's like that.
They both seem to be of the opinion that things are quite bleek so its good to hear words of encouragement.
Right now I"m not supposed to know anything but when and if he tells me I'm going to present the case for fighting it. I'm scanning the internet for success stories.

still_one

(92,061 posts)

10. There are things that can be done, but a lot will depend on your brother. If your brother is not

Reply to Peregrine Took (Original post)

Mon Aug 12, 2019, 08:44 PM

Aug 2019

already doing so he should consider getting evaluated at a comprehensive cancer center to try and understand what his options are, and do what you are doing, educate oneself as much as possible.

All the best to you and your brother

SmartVoter22

(639 posts)

11. He needs a CAT or PET scan to see if cancer is back.

Reply to Peregrine Took (Original post)

Sat Feb 8, 2020, 12:31 AM

Feb 2020

You said your brother's prostate was removed. A PSA blood test will be positive if it's removed. Your brother should ask for a scan.
CAT or PET scans will show if there is abnormally active cellular activity.

HermitageHermit

(42 posts)

12. there is always hope

Reply to Peregrine Took (Original post)

Wed Oct 28, 2020, 06:08 PM

Oct 2020

Just because the PSA test indicate biochemical resurgence of the cancer, doesn't mean that treatment is even necessary in your brother's case. It could easily be a situation of just "watchful waiting" especially if no metastases are detected on CT scans or other imaging.

After all, it took a full 12 years just for the resurgence to be detected from a blood test. It could take 12 or more years, before he might have adverse symptoms from this and even longer before he is seriously ill from it.

The length of time between the operation and PSA resurgence as well as the age of the patient are factors.

If your brother was 52 and had the operation 12 months ago, it would be a lot more of a concern.

Dark n Stormy Knight

(9,760 posts)

13. Sorry to hear it. Well, my brother-in-law was just dxed

Reply to Peregrine Took (Original post)

Sat Nov 7, 2020, 11:23 AM

Nov 2020

with an aggressive form of Leukemia, and they said the fact that his general health is very good for his age (66 and also walks a lot) does improve the odds of good outcomes with treatment.

Not exactly the same situation, and probably not news to you that overall better health helps, but just thought I'd mention it.

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