QUESTION: Although at first I thought it was a simple back ache, the results of many examinations and x-rays have lead my doctors to the diagnosis of cancer of the prostate, which has now spread to my bones.
I don't want to give up hope, and my doctor is offering me several options for treatment including the removal of my testicles.
I need some counsel and advice, which I hope you will provide me, please?
ANSWER: Your doctor is certainly on the right path, and I will try to provide a bit of information that may help you with your decision.
Prostate cancer, unfortunately, is a common disease.
The American Cancer Society estimates 103,000 cases would be diagnosed in 1989.
The symptoms of this cancer are much like those of the benign disease where the prostate gland simply enlarges or hypertrophies.
They include: weak or interrupted flow of urine, inability to urinate or start urination, blood in the urine, painful urination and pain in the lower back, pelvis or upper thighs.
Treatment depends upon the stage of the disease, and when the tumor is limited to the prostate itself, radical surgical removal of the prostate, the seminal vesicles and part of the bladder may be the treatment of choice.
Radiation therapy is an alternative. However, once the cancer has spread beyond the prostate, the goal of the treatment is to control the disease rather than cure it.
Since the progress of the disease appears to be related to the presence of male hormones, surgical castration removing the male glands, or the use of a synthetic female hormone diethylstilbestrol (DES) have been recommended to reduce testosterone (male hormone) levels.
Just recently however, a new treatment has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration called Zoladex.
Manufactured by ICI Pharma, it is an injectable hormone that acts on the pituitary/sex gland system and reduces the production of testosterone to levels that result in a medical castration.
It is administered by your physician in a single injection each month, and can result in reduction of tumor size, and improvement in urological symptoms and bone pain.
It is said to have fewer side effects than other therapies.
Each treatment costs about $400, but since it is administered only by physicians, should be reimbursed by most medical insurance plans.
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.
