4 years on, and still "<0.02 = undetectable". Dr Brooks at Stanford is
of the opinion that if I make it to 5 years I will be at very low risk
indeed. I know that various authors suggest the risk is constant per
year, but Dr B has done thousands of RRPs, and he bases his comments
on his experience with his own patients, and my specific case details.
He also commented that the longer the delay before recurrence, the
slower the progression thereafter. Whilst he has had one "failure"
after ten years of undetectable PSA, that patient's cancer never
really advanced. Since these comments are somewhat at odds with what
we have read elsewhere, I can only speculate that his selection
criteria for whom he will operate on may explain the difference.
I asked Dr B about the recent studies that suggest PCa is being "over
treated" (the US study showed no significant differences in
mortality). He says the US study was fairly flawed; the European study
was better designed and showed some modest benefits. That said, he
doesn't disagree with the notion that PCa is over treated in the USA -
his group is currently trialling an active surveillance (aka "watchful
waiting") programme for older patients with apparently indolent
cancers.
ED continues to improve a little each year. Now not using anything at
all (was using straight Prostaglandin injections), and able to manage
adequately most of the time. I won't pretend things are like they were
before surgery, but could be worse. In this respect, I seem to be
following John Loomis's path.
See you all next year...
--
Peter Headland
Annual report 
Linear Mode
