Phase 2 Prostate cancer anyone have information??

My father was just diagnosed with prostate cancer. The doctor said he's in Phase 2. We're gonna get the surgery in 6 weeks. I want to know how long I can expect to still have him around. Because the doctors aren't being very helpful.

Phase 2 Prostate cancer anyone have information??
You do not specify whether your father has been involved in a clinical trial. There are usually two phases, I will explain - evaluation of new drug treatments for cancer involves a series of clinical trials. Phase I trials are designed to assess tolerance to a drug, and to investigate pharmacokinetics; such trials are usually conducted on patients with advanced cancer of any type for whom there is no known effective treatment. Phase II trials are usually cancer-site-specific and ask whether there is sufficient evidence of activity for further evaluation of the new treatment; the outcome measure is usually tumor response (or shrinkage), and establishment of the RECIST criteria has facilitated uniformity in determination of response for patients with different types of cancer. If this is not the case, I shall discuss prostate cancer in the later stages, here, it can spread locally into the surrounding tissue or the nearby lymph nodes, called the pelvic nodes. The cancer then can spread even farther (metastasize) to other areas of the body. The doctor on a rectal examination can sometimes detect local spread into the surrounding tissues. That is, the physician can feel a hard, fixed (not moveable) tumour extending from and beyond the gland. Prostate cancer usually metastasizes first to the lower spine or the pelvic bones (the bones connecting the lower spine to the hips), thereby causing back or pelvic pain. The cancer can then spread to the liver and lungs. Metastases (areas to which the cancer has spread) to the liver can cause pain in the abdomen and jaundice (yellow colour of the skin) in rare instances. Metastases to the lungs can cause chest pain and coughing. You state that you are expecting him to be admitted for surgery in a few weeks time. To be certain about this condition, you would be advised to write down what you want to know, and consult the oncologist or specialist involved, and ask about your specific questions. I suggest that you write them down because, all too often, when confronted with the specialist one or more items may be forgotten and only remembered after the meeting is over.


Hope this helps


Matador 89
Reply:That's a very big question. And no one can answer it.


I highly suggest you spend all the quality time with him regardless of the outcome. Starting now.





Most phase II's are removable, and long life remains. Still, love him all you can. You will never regret it.
Reply:Phase two is a relatively early discovery and is not dramatic news. How old is your father, the older one is, the slower is the rate of spread of the disease. Are you in the UK because 6 weeks is an awful long time to have to wait for a cancer operation. Doctors are not clairvoyants and cannot give you longevity forecasts but, if he is over seventy and at phase 2, I would say his life span may yet be several years, if he is older he may probably die of something else first. Do keep yours and his spirits up because, despondency is a trauma for the body that can only reduce his natural immunities and this is deleterious. Hope I have helped you. Good Luck to the whole family !
Reply:If your father's physician can't take the time to describe what Phase 2 means in relationship to your dad's prostate cancer then you may need to seek another physician. You should be able to get all of your questions answered in a timely manner and with a great deal of respect and understanding. I wouldn't venture to guess what your dad's expected outcome will be without a great deal more information but I will tell you to google prostate cancer and you will be overwhelmed with information. Good luck and God bless!