Cancer Support

bagimin

(1,457 posts) Thu Dec 28, 2023, 03:12 PM Dec 2023

Any man out there with 4+4?

I'm 76. I've been told that the cancer is contained by Pet scan. Also I've had first Lupron shot. Barigel rectal shield implanted had MRI and CT scan last week..no results yet. Can't find any studies that indicate that a person my age with 4+4 will increase expectancy post 30 radiation treatments despite what uroligist and both oncoligists seem to think. The bills are coming in and I just wonder if the radiation is worth it.
Thanks for any input.

3 replies

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Any man out there with 4+4? (Original Post) bagimin Dec 2023 OP

I am not quite sure of the 4+4 designation. TNNurse Dec 2023 #1

4 plus 4 is the gleason score bagimin Dec 2023 #2

The real question is: do you feel like it's worth it? Do not cut your string too short. marble falls Jan 2024 #3

TNNurse

(7,121 posts)

1. I am not quite sure of the 4+4 designation.

Reply to bagimin (Original post)

Thu Dec 28, 2023, 04:05 PM

Dec 2023

My husband is 73, an aggressive form contained to one side of the prostate. Finished radiation, had the Barigel implant.
Radiation was expensive. The hot flashes, physical weakness, emotional lability and other side effects of the shots have been very stressful for both of us.

I think life expectancy was not as significant a concern as was metastasis especially to bones was motivating for treatment.

bagimin

(1,457 posts)

2. 4 plus 4 is the gleason score

Reply to TNNurse (Reply #1)

Thu Dec 28, 2023, 05:06 PM

Dec 2023

aggressive, but not the worst. Mind if I ask how expensive radiation is with a good PPO insurance?

marble falls

(62,041 posts)

3. The real question is: do you feel like it's worth it? Do not cut your string too short.

Reply to bagimin (Original post)

Sat Jan 6, 2024, 09:20 AM

Jan 2024

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