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Prostate Cancer and back pain

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g38820
g38820

My dad is 71 and has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. His PSA levels are around 5.8 and his Gleason rate is 6. He is waiting for an appointment for an MRI to see if the cancer is contained or has spread. He is complaining of lower back pain and has convinced himself that his cancer has spread. Does lower back pain mean it has spread or could something else be causing the pain.

Thanks in advance for your help.

1 like, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • norma72045
    norma72045 g38820

    Posted

    Hi,I'm no GP,But if it's any consultation to you and your dad,my husband is 73yrs old and never been ill in his life.

    He had an MRI scan and a biopsy. He had a blood score of 10 and his Gleeson score is 7.  We were told he had Prostate Cancer ,but a score of 7 was reasonably good and because he is so healthy his oncologist is hopeful for the future for him.  He chose hormone therapy and radiotherapy.

    Now your dads scores on both are very good,his back pain may be due to    Cancer but in my humble opinion I wouldn't worry untill he has spoke to his oncologist.  71-- low bloods-- Gleeson score 6 I would say your dads chances are very good.

    If I were you I'd do what I've done read as much as you can way up all the opptions,and be prepared to support him.  Be strong.

  • carl05115
    carl05115 g38820

    Posted

    You have two measures for a 71 year old man.  One, Gleason, suggests a non-aggressive cancer and the other, a PSA of 5.8 is very near normal for a man his age and tells you almost nothing.  Absolute PSA number is mostly irrelevant.  You should explore the idea of PSA doubling time, get more data points, and see if his doubling time suggests an aggressive cancer.

    You should also look closely (I know this is difficult when you are considering your very own father) at expected life span.  Is he a robust fellow with no other life threatening conditions or does he have other significant health risks.  

    Cancer seeks a blood supply and can metastasize to seek blood.  Blood is available in the lungs, bone (back), etc.  The scores you report would not suggest that to be the case, although an MRI is an easy way to make that determination.

    And, realistically, back pain can of course be caused by numerous things, back injury, lifting something more than he should, vertebral problems, etc. etc.

    Love your dad, reassure him that he has more time with you, his son or daughter, and enjoy the time you have left.  May that be many, many years.  

    My Best to You,  Carl  

  • alfred5
    alfred5 g38820

    Posted

    Hello, we have the same question as you. My other half diagnosed aged 57 last year. He was never offered a bone scan. He had brachytherapy. He constantly complains of back pain, hip pain and thigh bone pain, he is also convinced it has spread. There must be a reason a bone scan was not offered. I am assuming with a gleason of 6 (like yours) has not spread. A question I will put to the oncologist next time.

    You have all low scores so hopefully all be fine. All the best to you.

    • Dudley71081
      Dudley71081 alfred5

      Posted

      Hello again Alfie,

      It is good to see your ear-tag pop up again,  but not under the circumstances you describe.  In the case of a Farmer with all the physicality that job requires,  your Husband at his age was even in His pre cancerous/treatment state,  no doubts operating at the outer limits of his body's capabilities.

      There is no doubt in my mind that Radiotherapy is debilitating and  that the post treatment symptoms of fatigue and howsoever they manifest are only minimalistically psychosomatic,  if at all.  The fact that he is still out there doing his job would seem to indicate that so far,  apart from demonstrating admirable fortitude,  he is free from metastasis.   In your place and given that your Husband's back then symptom-free involvement in the whole scenario was by means of a routine health check; and his readings have always been low I would not for one second doubt that for now at least,  he is O K.  I would expect MRI and bone scans to confirm this.

      Perhaps it is time to look into a future where you can let it all go and buy that cottage by the sea.   ( And don't bloody gazzump me ! )

      With Kind Regards

      Dudley

       

    • alfred5
      alfred5 Dudley71081

      Posted

      Hello Dudley.

      I hope you are well. My other half has had a terrible time and very much regretting brachy. He has had severe prostatitis, causing pain when sitting down (not helpful on a bumpy tractor) Also had radiation induced cysitis causing lots and lots of trips to the tiolet, with a lot of burning inside and up the back passage. Antibiotics seem to help, but once finished it all comes back. It is all very frustrating.

      As for the pains in the bones, yes could be due to wear and tear, but he has never had a bone scan, I have spoken to quite a few people we know and online with prostate cancer and every single one has had a bone scan. No idea why he didn't have one. Another question for the consultant when we go. 

      All the best to you and your family.  

    • Dudley71081
      Dudley71081 alfred5

      Posted

      Oh dear Alfie,  what a poor reward for all your caring and concern.  You could not have done more to ensure a favourable outcome.  There is nothing I can say,  except that my thoughts and prayers are with you.  I am so sorry for you both that it has turned out this way.  I can't help but reflect that if Carl 05115 were your Consultant,  none of this would have eventuated.  I apologise for my part in steering you both towards intervention.

      In some ways it might still be considered early days and there remains every hope that the side effects will begin to lessen very soon.   Also I suspect that if the Radiation is having such a dramatic effect on surrounding tissues,  then locally it is absolutely destroying the cancer and your Husband will have a very comforting PSA result.

      Thanks for all your best wishes.  I'm going along O K for now.

      Regarding yourself,  no-one has fought harder than you so do keep your chin up and do not at this stage at least,  despair.  All is not lost Alfie.  Just wait and see.  I am spiritually confident that there is no metastasis and that these troubling side-effect symptoms will lessen and eventually abate to next to nothing.

      With Warm Regards

      Dudley

  • andrew68876
    andrew68876 g38820

    Posted

    I am a 47 African American I have been recently diagnosed with prostatectomy cancer. My Gleason is 8 and I am having lower back pain. Does that mean that my cancer have spreaded to my spine
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