I took my father to the hospital for back pain and leg weakness and was told it is prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. Spine, hips, legs, ribs, shoulders etc. they have done radiation on his spine and surgery to releive the pressure causing leg weakness, and are treating him with hormones. What do yu think his life expectancy is? I am getting no where with doctors. He is in Palliative care at this time. What does it all mean?
Cancer - 5 Answers
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1 :
Well....my dad also has prostrate cancer but they caught it so it is kind of just there. It hasn't spread but he has to get treatments every so often. About 232,000 men in the United States will learn they have prostate cancer this year. Early detection and improved treatment have led to longer lives after diagnosis. About 99 percent of patients with localized disease live at least five years. (MY dad has had it for almost 10 years now) Doctors can diagnose prostate cancer early before it has spread beyond the prostate gland or nearby tissue. When prostate cancer spreads, or metastasizes, it often goes to the bone causing pain. This occurs in more than 80 percent of patients with metastatic prostate cancer. The bone, with its rich blood supply, creates an environment for cancer cells to establish themselves.2 Bones normally regenerate, constantly breaking down and rebuilding. Cancer interferes with this process and may cause bone to wear away or grow too fast. Prostate cancer usually causes excess bone growth. Bone pain typically begins as a dull, continuous ache, which increases over time. It may seem more intense at night or with activity. Muscle spasms may occur as well. Prostate cancer may spread to the hips, spinal vertebrae, ribs or other bones. Cancer in the spine may put pressure on nerve roots. This can result in numbness and tingling in the arms or legs, weakness, paralysis or difficulty with urination or bowel movements. Always tell your doctor about new symptoms, even if they seem unrelated to your cancer. If you are experiencing bone pain, the doctor will likely look for spots where the cancer may have taken hold. Tests the doctor may order include X-rays, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, and a bone scan. A bone scan involves an injection of a radioactive agent specifically targeting bone. A scan showing "hot spots," areas of greater concentration, will require further investigation since arthritis and other conditions can cause similar images. Treatment goals for bone pain due to cancer include killing the cancer cells, improving survival and controlling the pain, which can help improve quality of life. The physician may order external beam radiation to affected bone, chemotherapy or hormonal therapy. Procedures may be recommended to prevent or repair fractures and drugs may be prescribed to slow bone destruction. Pain medications are usually ordered and a special type of pain relieving radiopharmaceutical therapy may be employed. This therapy is a radioactive agent that travels to the bone and provides a high local dose of radiation. This treatment is especially helpful if the cancer has spread to many sites. Palliative care is not the same as hospice care. The goal of palliative care is to relieve the pain, symptoms and stress of serious illness รข€“ whatever the prognosis. It is appropriate for people of any age and at any point in an illness. It can be delivered along with treatments that are meant to cure you. http://www.getpalliativecare.org/
2 :
I had a very similar experience. No, I was not the one who got prostate cancer but my uncle did. After my father died in a horrible car crash, I went to live with my uncle. My uncle loved me more then anyone and even though he was much older then my parents, I went to live with him. He had to get his prostate checked for cancer and they found it. He was pretty far into the cancer and by that point the cancer had spread to his bones, just like your father. My uncle was also treated with radiation and, he recovered. It wasn't likely that me uncle was going to recover but he did and right now he is cancer free. It really was a miracle. With your father, his life could go either way. It would end or he may recover. If he is doing well now after the radiation, there is a better chance he will make it. If now, after the radiation, he is not doing better, then most likely he won't make it. God will do the right thing. God bless you and your father and I really do hope that he recovers soon. you never know what the new year has in store for your father!
3 :
Firstly sorry to hear your news, it must be very difficult. I can't say how long he will survive with this, as everyone is different, hence it feels like you are getting nowhere with the drs. Ask to see a nurse specialist in prostate cancer - most hospitals have them in UK. They are excellent for advice, a listening ear and guidance. Palliative care really means the health care staff will do all they can to ensure a quality of life as far as is possible, and will help your dad with pain control as his condition worsens. They are also good support for the family. Cancer BACUP is also useful. Hope this has helped, and sorry I can't be of more help.
4 :
The prognosis for this is not good. There is no way that an outsider can estimate how long he might survive; hormone therapy may be helpful.
5 :
I am so sorry...I don't feel qualified to help, but I have to tell you this. There is Hope!! I recently met someone who has suffered with similar conditions for years. She has a file 6 inches deep. She recently was talked into looking into Seven+. Seven+ is a botanical product that was designed to help a father dieing of liver failure. Quite a story, anyway mrs. Carlson found instant relief in 1 day. It is chock full of anti oxidants, Omegas 3,6,7 and 9 the botanicals include Acai, Gac, Goji, Fucoidan, Mangosteen, Noni, as well as cultured water and others. It also has 70 times the Lycopene and helpful enzymes you find in any fruits. I have seen it change her quality of life overnite. It's worth a look. www.brolinforexfuze.iexfuze.net. They offer a free 7 day challenge so there's no risk. There's also a bunch of testimonials if you're interested. regards, Cary
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