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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Prostate Cancer Re Occur?

A friend of mine, age 70, had prostate cancer 5 years ago. He was treated promptly and got rid of it. Ever since then his regular PSA exams have shown zero signs of prostate antigens. Yet he remains anxious because if the disease ever returns, according to his oncologist, it is certain to be terminal. Is this true? Once you ve had it, the next time you get it, you won t be able to beat it?
Wed, 27 Jun 2018
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

If he had a radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy and if the disease was confined to the prostate before treatment, there is hardly any chance of recurrence. But if the disease had spread beyond the prostate then there are chances of metastases and the disease can come back at other sites. If detected early and treated well, it is not terminal but with late detection most cancers are terminal. If he is on a hormonal therapy he should continue it.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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Does Prostate Cancer Re Occur?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. If he had a radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy and if the disease was confined to the prostate before treatment, there is hardly any chance of recurrence. But if the disease had spread beyond the prostate then there are chances of metastases and the disease can come back at other sites. If detected early and treated well, it is not terminal but with late detection most cancers are terminal. If he is on a hormonal therapy he should continue it. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.