Watchful Waiting Works for Older Men With Prostate Cancer

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I am 73 years old, last January I found out that I had prostate cancer and quickly operated. My PSA was 7.5. After the operation they were 0.5, then 0.12, 0.21--In August as my PSA levels were going up I had 16 weeks of radiation. Now, roughly a year later, my PSA is now had gone down to 0.19 - all of a sudeen I am checking it in September and now its 0.70! what do you guys think I should do? When is it time to do hormone treatment?

Conrad Johnson, NJ of NJ 8:24PM September 25, 2009

Waiting for the cancer to metastasize is baloney!!!

Dave Slone of CA 5:03PM September 16, 2009

At 66 years of age had biopsy of prostate after discovery of hard spots on the gland-no problem.One year later three out of six samples were cancerous. I thought that the phrase "watchfull waiting" was funny. The surgeon said that if I had not gotten original test his guess was that in seven to nine years there would be nothing that could be done for me. At no time were there any symptoms It was a chance rectal exam at the end of a yearly check up that discovered the hard spots. I am now 77 and have no problems of any kind. The inability to have intercourse even with drugs was well worth added years.Both parents lived to 92....hope to equal or beat that.

dwight sabarese of SC 1:25PM September 16, 2009

This is another in a series of articles desgined to provide support for the limiting of tests and treatment of certian conditions. This is ground work for the gov't. restrict services to individuals as national health care takes over. If you do not agree, please review the recent number of articles questioning various tests and established treatments that have appeared on this page since the health care debate.

Dr. Charles Schroeder of TX 8:48AM September 16, 2009

This past year, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I am 66 years old and My doctor gave me all the options and much of what is in this article was explained to me. I had an average gleason score. I elected to have robotic surgery to remove my prostate. I spent 23 hours in the hospital and one week at home. My cathitor was removed 7 days after the surgery and I was back to work 9 days after the surgery. If I was in my 70's I might have taken the watch and wait route. However, with the new robotic proceedure, I really think that you need to think long and hard about trying to outlive prostate cancer on the hope something else kills you.

Harvey Swickle of FL 7:39AM September 16, 2009

Based on my personal experience with Prostate Cancer -
http://wsrl.org/p-canc.htm
Be both careful and knowledgeable about your treatment

Tom B of CO 9:57PM September 15, 2009

A few prostate cancers grow fast. Mine went from gleason 2+2 to 4+4 in a month. The ultra-sound indicated it tripled in size in a month. I suggest watching carefully and frequently until the rate of growth is known. My age was 65.

Dwight of CO 9:03PM September 15, 2009

Hmmm...A 'US News' site illustrating the 'benefits' of 'waiting'...interesting.

Thomas Dick of NJ 8:43PM September 15, 2009

I had a prostate removal surgery a year ago by dr. Patel in Orlando and I am doing very well. I would to give an advise to every men that, when a doctor tell you that you have an inflamation, don't take no time, go take care of yourself before it is too late. I was 43 years old when I had my prostate removed and I strongly believe it was the best thing I have done in my life. Don't worry about the time you will take to heal, but, how fast you save yourself out of that dangerous cancer.

Alain Noel of FL 6:32PM September 15, 2009