PSMA PET scan results - nothing we had not anticipated.

I had written in a previous post that waiting for test and scan results is often the worst part of this disease. We had a trying weekend waiting, and as I posted elsewhere, I not only opened the envelope but also went through all the images on the disk.

At our appointment today, we learned that my husband has "multiple intensely avid and enlarged right external iliac nodes in keeping with metastatic prostate carcinoma. In addition tumour recurrence within the prostatic urethra cannot be excluded."

Fortunately no other mets found in any other part of the scan at this stage. Specialist emphasized "at this stage", because he believes that there are microscopic mets elsewhere in the body.

Our regular specialist was away, and his locum delivered the results on his behalf. So, when our own doctor returns in two weeks, a plan of action will be formed. This will most probably be hormone deprivation treatment, possibly two injections of Lupron four months apart, a rest period for a while, and then further hormone deprivation treatment.

Although no one wants to hear of ANY mets, we were anticipating a far worse scenario, so at least we now have a target to aim at.

Locum did not think that surgery to remove nodes was appropriate treatment, but would not be drawn into discussion as we were not his patients. He was extremely helpful though and explained everything thoughtfully and well.

I agree with TAs query. My lymph nodes weren't treated when I had SRT to prostate bed so I had all pelvic lymph nodes treated with 75 grays when two hot iliac nodes were discovered and I've have no recurrence in that area since then. You like I are very high risk so ADT3 seems appropriate and plus IMRT to all pelvic lymph nodes and Urethra.

Your RO will know what to do.

Bob

I was just questioning whether the bright radio-indicator on the urethra was from cancer or was it an artifact of urinary tract drainage. The stuff is excreted by the kidneys and may show up throughout the urinary tract without indicating cancer.

What I was asking is: when he had external beam radiation, did the radiation field include the pelvic lymph nodes, and what was the dose given at that time?