Anon - A cancer diagnosis is never easy, and it's especially hard when the cancer is found in a late stage. I'm sorry to hear that you and your husband are going through this.
In general terms, this is what it means to have stage IV prostate cancer: the cancer has spread (metastasized) outside the prostate to other tissues. Stage IV prostate cancer commonly spreads to lymph nodes, the bones, liver, or lungs. Your husband's prognosis will be highly dependent on how far the cancer has spread.
Many people have old perceptions of treatment, and there are new options available today. Some of the options include cryotherapy, surgery, and hormone therapy. There are also clinical trials that can offer additional treatment options.
The best resource for understanding the exact state of your husband's cancer, and whether or not it is treatable, and what his estimated lifespan will be with or without treatment, is your husband's oncologist. Prostate cancer, like all cancers, is complex, and it takes knowledge of the entire picture to be able to develop such information. Oncologists have these conversations with patients and caregivers regularly and you should not hesitate to ask for this inforrmation and any other information that you feel would help you better understand your husband's medical condition and how you can help him.
You may find the Prostate Cancer Foundation to be a helpful resource for you, and for your husband: http://www.pcf.org/site/c.leJRIROrEpH/b.5699537
Please let me know if I can help you with anything else. I have cancer myself and understand that you have a lot of concerns right now. I hope this information helps you.
Take care,
Pat
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Anon - A cancer diagnosis is never easy, and it's especially hard when the cancer is found in a late stage. I'm sorry to hear that you and your husband are going through this.
In general terms, this is what it means to have stage IV prostate cancer: the cancer has spread (metastasized) outside the prostate to other tissues. Stage IV prostate cancer commonly spreads to lymph nodes, the bones, liver, or lungs. Your husband's prognosis will be highly dependent on how far the cancer has spread.
Many people have old perceptions of treatment, and there are new options available today. Some of the options include cryotherapy, surgery, and hormone therapy. There are also clinical trials that can offer additional treatment options.
The best resource for understanding the exact state of your husband's cancer, and whether or not it is treatable, and what his estimated lifespan will be with or without treatment, is your husband's oncologist. Prostate cancer, like all cancers, is complex, and it takes knowledge of the entire picture to be able to develop such information. Oncologists have these conversations with patients and caregivers regularly and you should not hesitate to ask for this inforrmation and any other information that you feel would help you better understand your husband's medical condition and how you can help him.
You may find the Prostate Cancer Foundation to be a helpful resource for you, and for your husband: http://www.pcf.org/site/c.leJRIROrEpH/b.5699537
Please let me know if I can help you with anything else. I have cancer myself and understand that you have a lot of concerns right now. I hope this information helps you.
September 30, 2010 - 6:42pmTake care,
Pat
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