Prostate cancer is sometimes pretty simple to treat and to cure, providing your husband isn't too far advanced with his AD that he can understand and accept the treatment program that will ensue. And depending upon what stage of disease the cancer is at currently. If he's at stage 4, there may be no treatments available. If chemo and/or radiation is required, you'd have to speak to his Oncologist about the prudence of such a thing and whether you both want to extend his life, with AD at play. There are a lot of factors to take into consideration here, his age, his stage of cancer, his stage of AD, his prognosis, etc.
You are best off conferring with your husband's doctor(s) for advice about how best to treat or not treat his prostate cancer. They have all the facts whereas we do not.
I will tell you that my father was about 82 when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, at about stage 2. Radioactive seeds were implanted in his prostate, and he had a full recovery w/o the need for further treatment; no chemo or radiation was required. He also had no other underlying disease at play at the time, either.
My husband has Alzheimer’s diagnosis and now he has high Prostrate numbers. Even after antibiotics. Next step is biopsy! I don’t want to put him through that. I need to read up on what has to take place in the procedure. I would let ke hear if anyone has gone prostate treatment with an Alzheimer’s love one ?
You will feel some pressure when the probe is inserted, but it is usually not painful. Usually between 6 – 12 (sometimes more) prostatic tissue samples are obtained and the entire procedure lasts about 10 minutes. A local anesthetic can be used to numb the area and reduce any pain.
What percentage of prostate biopsies are cancer? Prostate cancer is caused by an abnormal overgrowth of cells in the prostate. A prostate biopsy is used to diagnose prostate cancer, of which 75% are found to be non-cancerous
The question is, what does your HUSBAND want the next step of his medical journey to be? The biopsy itself should be no huge deal, but an important step in the discovery process to see if he has cancer. I'm sure there is SOME level of discomfort involved, however, as there would be with any biopsy.
It also depends on how far advanced his Alzheimer's is, as we've asked you.
Hopefully someone will answer who's had a loved one with AD go thru the prostate biopsy procedure who can help you.
I'd like to add that there has been NO evidence that antibiotics lower PSA levels in men. Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), statins, or thiazide diuretics significantly lowers prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in men without a history of prostate cancer, new data indicate.
I wonder if you wouldn't be better off asking DHs doctor to try NSAIDS, statins or thiazide diuretics to lower his PSA levels FIRST, before subjecting him to a biopsy, considering his AD and everything. May be worth asking. I always think it's a good idea to be proactive with our own health care and our providers.
Here is some info on the subject: https://www.google.com/search?q=are+antibiotics+given+for+high+prostate&sxsrf=ALiCzsZqFNKklzVLwoU8zVDFaYIxuXdF2w%3A1664387438211&ei=bok0Y5WVDLWkqtsPg_GZ4AI&oq=are+antibiotics+given+for+high+pro&gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6uAEB-AEBKgIIADIFECEYoAEyBRAhGKABMgUQIRigATIFECEYoAEyBRAhGKsCMgUQIRirAjIFECEYqwIyCBAhGB4YFhgdMggQIRgeGBYYHcICBBAjGCfCAhEQLhiABBixAxiDARjHARjRA8ICCxAAGIAEGLEDGIMBwgIEEAAYQ8ICCBAuGIAEGNQCwgIOEC4YgAQYsQMYxwEY0QPCAggQLhixAxiDAcICCBAAGLEDGIMBwgIFEAAYgATCAggQABiABBixA8ICCBAuGIAEGLEDwgIFEAAYkQLCAgsQABixAxiDARjJA8ICCBAAGIAEGMkDwgIGEAAYHhgWwgIFEAAYhgNIvEhQAFiuMXAAeAHIAQCQAQGYAe4BoAHZJ6oBBjEuMjkuNOIDBCBBGADiAwQgRhgAiAYB&sclient=gws-wiz
From what I understand, Prostate cancer can be slow moving. The age of your husband and the Stage of his ALZ would have a lot to do with how I would proceeded. Going under will effect his ALZ, may make it worse. I would not put him under any undo discomfort or have him in strange places. I would let nature takes its course.
JoAnn29 is correct. Do not treat the prostate cancer. You and your husband have been given a get out of jail card, so please use it wisely. Dementia is a devastating disease and can last up to 20 yrs. Dying early from another illness is a blessing to the person with dementia and their loved ones.
My husband has advanced dementia for many years and it is very sad to see him existing (not living) in a state of not knowing who or what is around him. His body is still on this planet but his mind and soul are long gone. He’s completely dependent on others to help him with activities of daily living. Who would want to be in that state?
My husband has Alzheimer's disease. Eight years ago his PSA score was so high it indicated a strong possibility of cancer and so he had a biopsy which indicated he did not have cancer. Four years later, again the same and again, negative.
You say, "and now prostate cancer" so I presume your husband has had a biopsy.
Currently my husband is 77. About 5 years ago I asked his neurologists about colonoscopies and I think what that doctor advised for that could apply to your situation (I'm paraphrasing) - Leave the man in peace. He wouldn't understand, (the treatment), why and what is happening to him. It would be heartbreaking and for what?
Ask your husband's neurologist for advise. It may be helpful to you.
We are no longer interested in prolonging a dementia life, but 100% on board for eliminating pain. If an issue has a simple fix, then it will be considered, otherwise......no more tests or doctors if they can be avoided.
Get the biopsy and other diagnostic tests done. Then, ask the urologist about options: careful watch of progress, surgery, radiation, chemo, hormone... Each type of treatment carries its own benefits and risks. If you loved one is advanced in age, it might be best to just keep a careful watch unless urinary function is impaired.
JanBro: Perhaps you should consider the risk for going under anesthesia, should he require it, for his prostate cancer carefully due to his Alzheimer's.
My dad had prostate cancer and had surgery at 65. It involved two enemas, surgery, and a week in the ICU for no reason I know, except that they didn't feed him anything in that time except through an IV.
He lost 25 pounds in the week he was in the hospital, and was in agony with a poorly-positioned catheter for three weeks after that. (Thank you for your stellar care, Kaiser Permanente. 🙄)
He had no chemo or radiation but became impotent as a result of the surgery -- something I learned after his death.
He survived it all and lived another 33 years, but it was a brutal experience for an otherwise healthy middle-aged man that I wouldn't recommend for an older gentleman with Alzheimers.
I empathize with your difficult decision. My mother had been under the care of an oncologist for several slow-growing cancers when she developed Alzheimer's. When she reached the middle stages of Alzheimer's her oncologist said the dementia was now primary and she didn't need to see her any more. She now has shown some growth in one of her tumors and we put her on hospice. I agree with what others have said. It will be a blessing if the cancer shortens the horrible fadeaway of dementia.
Are you saying that someone you love who has Alz has now developed prostate cancer and you want to know what to do? Treat it? Not treat it?
Give us some more information and you'll get more advice!
You are best off conferring with your husband's doctor(s) for advice about how best to treat or not treat his prostate cancer. They have all the facts whereas we do not.
I will tell you that my father was about 82 when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, at about stage 2. Radioactive seeds were implanted in his prostate, and he had a full recovery w/o the need for further treatment; no chemo or radiation was required. He also had no other underlying disease at play at the time, either.
Wishing you the best of luck.
Sorry you have a lot to deal with.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/prostate-biopsy/about/pac-20384734
How painful is a prostate biopsy?
You will feel some pressure when the probe is inserted, but it is usually not painful. Usually between 6 – 12 (sometimes more) prostatic tissue samples are obtained and the entire procedure lasts about 10 minutes. A local anesthetic can be used to numb the area and reduce any pain.
What percentage of prostate biopsies are cancer?
Prostate cancer is caused by an abnormal overgrowth of cells in the prostate. A prostate biopsy is used to diagnose prostate cancer, of which 75% are found to be non-cancerous
The question is, what does your HUSBAND want the next step of his medical journey to be? The biopsy itself should be no huge deal, but an important step in the discovery process to see if he has cancer. I'm sure there is SOME level of discomfort involved, however, as there would be with any biopsy.
It also depends on how far advanced his Alzheimer's is, as we've asked you.
Hopefully someone will answer who's had a loved one with AD go thru the prostate biopsy procedure who can help you.
I'd like to add that there has been NO evidence that antibiotics lower PSA levels in men. Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), statins, or thiazide diuretics significantly lowers prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in men without a history of prostate cancer, new data indicate.
I wonder if you wouldn't be better off asking DHs doctor to try NSAIDS, statins or thiazide diuretics to lower his PSA levels FIRST, before subjecting him to a biopsy, considering his AD and everything. May be worth asking. I always think it's a good idea to be proactive with our own health care and our providers.
Here is some info on the subject:
https://www.google.com/search?q=are+antibiotics+given+for+high+prostate&sxsrf=ALiCzsZqFNKklzVLwoU8zVDFaYIxuXdF2w%3A1664387438211&ei=bok0Y5WVDLWkqtsPg_GZ4AI&oq=are+antibiotics+given+for+high+pro&gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6uAEB-AEBKgIIADIFECEYoAEyBRAhGKABMgUQIRigATIFECEYoAEyBRAhGKsCMgUQIRirAjIFECEYqwIyCBAhGB4YFhgdMggQIRgeGBYYHcICBBAjGCfCAhEQLhiABBixAxiDARjHARjRA8ICCxAAGIAEGLEDGIMBwgIEEAAYQ8ICCBAuGIAEGNQCwgIOEC4YgAQYsQMYxwEY0QPCAggQLhixAxiDAcICCBAAGLEDGIMBwgIFEAAYgATCAggQABiABBixA8ICCBAuGIAEGLEDwgIFEAAYkQLCAgsQABixAxiDARjJA8ICCBAAGIAEGMkDwgIGEAAYHhgWwgIFEAAYhgNIvEhQAFiuMXAAeAHIAQCQAQGYAe4BoAHZJ6oBBjEuMjkuNOIDBCBBGADiAwQgRhgAiAYB&sclient=gws-wiz
My husband has advanced dementia for many years and it is very sad to see him existing (not living) in a state of not knowing who or what is around him. His body is still on this planet but his mind and soul are long gone. He’s completely dependent on others to help him with activities of daily living. Who would want to be in that state?
Good luck.
You say, "and now prostate cancer" so I presume your husband has had a biopsy.
Currently my husband is 77. About 5 years ago I asked his neurologists about colonoscopies and I think what that doctor advised for that could apply to your situation (I'm paraphrasing) - Leave the man in peace. He wouldn't understand, (the treatment), why and what is happening to him. It would be heartbreaking and for what?
Ask your husband's neurologist for advise. It may be helpful to you.
I would just keep him comfortable and happy.
He lost 25 pounds in the week he was in the hospital, and was in agony with a poorly-positioned catheter for three weeks after that. (Thank you for your stellar care, Kaiser Permanente. 🙄)
He had no chemo or radiation but became impotent as a result of the surgery -- something I learned after his death.
He survived it all and lived another 33 years, but it was a brutal experience for an otherwise healthy middle-aged man that I wouldn't recommend for an older gentleman with Alzheimers.