My older brother was just recently diagnosed with prostate cancer....what to expect?

[2porscheguy]

He's been told he's at stage T1/T2. He's 66 years of age, in great shape, very active, and we have no family history of any forms of cancer that I am aware of.

Further research indicates that the cancer "is likely to grow slowly and unlikely to spread". We are obviously concerned. What has been your experience with any of your relatives in a similar predicament?

[pwd72s]

No relatives, but friends...one opted for the radiation implants thing, two went the robotic surgery route. All 3 still alive. A good oncologist should be able to list the options for your brother...

[masraum]

Most prostate cancer is not a big deal because it’s so slow to grow/advance.

But be aware that there are some fast moving prostate cancers even if they are rare.

[A930Rocket]

My best friend from high school, died from prostrate cancer, at age 54. He fought it for years after diagnosis.

Take it seriously

Good luck to your brother

[Steve Carlton]

I've heard most men die with prostate cancer, but it's slow moving (usually) and isn't an issue. That said, my dad died from it when it metastasized into his internal organs. I have a co-worker that just had his prostate removed, so lots of options I think.

[John Rogers]

I can speak from my own cancer experience since I am on my 3rd bout of this stuff. First was a cut on my forehead that was removed but some cancer was still there and 6 months later had covered the whole right side of my face. That was all removed and the 2 months of pin-point radiation which nearly killed me! I could not eat, not sleep, not even watch some Japanese porn as my weight went from 220# down to 170# in 6 weeks. The 3rd time was found 9 months later in the top of my left lung, so I was about to give up but the cancer center had just gotten a new immunotherapy drug from the Danny Thomas Children's hospital and in checking Medicare said sure we'll pay the $1200 for bool work and $6000 per dose of the Libtayo every 3 weeks. There are few, very few side effects and I guess my doc wants me to take it for ever which is fine with me as I don't get sick anymore due to the medicine. A new side effect was my hair had turned white from the radiation and has now become red-blond as when I was way younger!

So my advice is to see if their insurance will cover immunotherapy possibly after removing the affected areas but NO RADIATION as its side effects are terrible!
John Rogers the oldracer

[rfuerst911sc]

I was diagnosed in 2015 at age 57 . Mine was caught early . After discussion with various doctors I went with radium seed implant and follow up localized radiation treatment . I had zero side affects . There has been a LOT of advancements in cancer treatment since I had my procedure .

Catching it early is key before it can spread . Listen to your doctors and ask lots of questions . Be part of the decision making process on the path forward . In my opinion the " let's wait and see " approach is not a good path forward . But that's me . My older brother was diagnosed a little over a year ago . He went the same treatment path as I did and is doing well .

A good positive attitude is also part of the process . If you are a doom and gloom mentality that isn't helpful . Stay positive and active . Keep doing what you enjoy . Listen to the doctors and go with the treatment plan you are all comfortable with . Good luck to your brother .

[recycled sixtie]

Hey 2porsche I am sorry to hear about your brother. If I were you I would get checked for prostate cancer asap if you have not done so already. It can be genetic. My wife's youngest brother passed away from it age 68 due to late diagnosis. The cancer had spread from the prostate to the kidneys. Her oldest brother got checked immediately and found out he had prostate cancer as well. He had his prostate removed. Their father had a slow growing form of it and died age 98 but died due to old age.
Cheers, Guy.

[Zeke]

Like Richard and some others here, I had 7 out of 12 biopsy snips show positive so I went with 2 sessions of high does radiation administered directly into the prostate and 35 days of 15 minutes of low dose proton therapy radiation, which is nothing except showing up 5 days a week for 7 weeks.

Frankly, I've seen enough and heard about enough people who have died when the cancer advanced without them knowing. I favor treatment. There are side effects no matter what they say, but I think the radiation is way far better than any surgery.

Whatever your brother chooses, I don't buy the story about slow growing, Yes, it might advance slowly, but to where? Further speaking, I would only be treated by the best facility available. Here in SoCal we have a few, A FEW!!, wise choices. All are major cancer centers like UCLA or City of Hope which has been doing cancer treatment and research for decades.

[Cajundaddy]

My brother and a close friend are currently receiving treatment for prostate cancer. The long term prognosis is good for survival but the treatment is an uncomfortable process. Best wishes for your brother as he faces this.

Some further discussion on testing and treatment:

https://www.mskcc.org/news/myths-about-psa-tests-and-prostate-cancer-screening

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

I was diagnosed in 2015 at age 57 . Mine was caught early . After discussion with various doctors I went with radium seed implant and follow up localized radiation treatment . I had zero side affects . There has been a LOT of advancements in cancer treatment since I had my procedure .

Catching it early is key before it can spread . Listen to your doctors and ask lots of questions . Be part of the decision making process on the path forward . In my opinion the " let's wait and see " approach is not a good path forward . But that's me . My older brother was diagnosed a little over a year ago . He went the same treatment path as I did and is doing well .

A good positive attitude is also part of the process . If you are a doom and gloom mentality that isn't helpful . Stay positive and active . Keep doing what you enjoy . Listen to the doctors and go with the treatment plan you are all comfortable with . Good luck to your brother .

I found your original post from 2015 and appreciate you sharing the details of your ordeal with us! Glad it has all worked out for you...stay in touch!
Alex

[p911dad]

I am 6 years out now of my prostate cancer treatment, pretty much as Zeke outlined. I had a mid-level PSA but my urologist was suspicious so he did the needle biopsy (ouch!) and that revealed a "Gleason Score" of 8 -9 which is high and triggered an immediate round of radiation as Zeke described. My PSA score is now near or at zero which means likely clear of the prostate cancer. My only comment is go to a urologist and follow professional medical advice (not the internet "doctors"). Good luck to your brother!

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

Hey 2porsche I am sorry to hear about your brother. If I were you I would get checked for prostate cancer asap if you have not done so already. It can be genetic. My wife's youngest brother passed away from it age 68 due to late diagnosis. The cancer had spread from the prostate to the kidneys. Her oldest brother got checked immediately and found out he had prostate cancer as well. He had his prostate removed. Their father had a slow growing form of it and died age 98 but died due to old age.
Cheers, Guy.

Hey Guy!

My last PSA test result was a 0.4 last February and will get that checked again next month. Interestingly enough I had an emergency abdominal MRI and CT scan done last February as a suspicious lesion was found on my liver on Ultrasound. This turned out to be a benign Hemangioma....had me freaked out for sure at the time though! So the interesting part is that they "scanned" my entire abdomen and pelvis as well "while they were in there"...all normal from my lower chest, the prostate, right down to the old $hitter! Was happy to hear that!

Oh BTW guys the MRI and CT scan were performed within 4 days of the request! This is in Calgary, Alberta....the Canadian or at least the Alberta health care "system" I was extremely impressed with!

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

My brother and a close friend are currently receiving treatment for prostate cancer. The long term prognosis is good for survival but the treatment is an uncomfortable process. Best wishes for your brother as he faces this.

Some further discussion on testing and treatment:

https://www.mskcc.org/news/myths-about-psa-tests-and-prostate-cancer-screening

Very interesting read! Great news about your bro and friend!

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Like Richard and some others here, I had 7 out of 12 biopsy snips show positive so I went with 2 sessions of high does radiation administered directly into the prostate and 35 days of 15 minutes of low dose proton therapy radiation, which is nothing except showing up 5 days a week for 7 weeks.

Frankly, I've seen enough and heard about enough people who have died when the cancer advanced without them knowing. I favor treatment. There are side effects no matter what they say, but I think the radiation is way far better than any surgery.

Whatever your brother chooses, I don't buy the story about slow growing, Yes, it might advance slowly, but to where? Further speaking, I would only be treated by the best facility available. Here in SoCal we have a few, A FEW!!, wise choices. All are major cancer centers like UCLA or City of Hope which has been doing cancer treatment and research for decades.

Many thanks for sharing your story and glad it has worked out very well for you! He lives in the Ottawa/Gatineau region of eastern Ontario/western Quebec. I'm not sure who he's dealing with but it's within the Ontario health care system.

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by p911dad

I am 6 years out now of my prostate cancer treatment, pretty much as Zeke outlined. I had a mid-level PSA but my urologist was suspicious so he did the needle biopsy (ouch!) and that revealed a "Gleason Score" of 8 -9 which is high and triggered an immediate round of radiation as Zeke described. My PSA score is now near or at zero which means likely clear of the prostate cancer. My only comment is go to a urologist and follow professional medical advice (not the internet "doctors"). Good luck to your brother!

Great to hear! He's leaning towards the robotic prostatectomy but will decide probably next month after he gets a secondary PSA test done. It sounds like he's decided not to follow the wait and see approach.

[rfuerst911sc]

When I posted my journey in 2015 my goal was to get guys to wake up and go to the doctor . I know that post helped a lot of guys . I feel pretty good about that .

Early in 2025 my PSA started climbing . Nothing crazy but primary care doctor and urologist said we should get this checked . Had a PET scan and a tiny spot was found on the outside of the prostate .

Had daily radiation treatments focused on that tiny spot . Again I had no bad reactions other than a little fatigue . I had a follow up PET scan about 6 weeks ago . Head to toe nothing found . PSA is 0.10 . Again early detection is key . Stay safe guys .

[Zeke]

Regarding the article about PSA testing, you can take it any way you like. The proof is a biopsy. This is a must if there is any indication of cancer. If the score is low you can choose to monitor the cancer. It is not going to go away in any way that I'm aware of.

[Mike Andrew]

Survivor here. Lost 2 close (and Porsche friends) within a year of each other. In one case, it was very aggressive and the other slow but growing. Second guy tried all sorts of voodoo, natural cures and, by the time he decided to have surgery, it was into his bones. This is nothing to screw around with.

I had a Gleason 7 and consulted the preeminent seed guy in my area and the country, Brian Moran. We chose 6 weeks of external beam, five days a week, a rest and seed implantation. March of 2017, I got 67 seeds implanted. PSA started dropping fast. Now at .067.and I do a PSA every 6 months. Side effects were minimal, but I did get some permanent shrinkage from the radiation which, I am told by others who have done this protocol, is fairly common. Small price for many more years of life.

Best to your brother and anybody else battling this disease. As noted, if addressed early, cure is almost 100%.

[GH85Carrera]

My dad had it, and was receiving proton therapy up until his death from heart surgery at age 82.

The proton therapy is available just a few miles from my house.