Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
My dad is 50 and just got told his prostate cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. We did not get to ask many questions at the appt bc everything happened so fast.
Does that mean it is in an advanced stage and the situation is serious? Just trying to understand what this actually means and what usually comes next.
Please help.
Thank you.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
If the prostate cancer has spread to lymph nodes, it implies that the cancer is at an advanced stage as opposed to being localized. If it has just spread to the pelvic lymph nodes but has not spread to the bones or other parts of the body, it means that it is either locally advanced or regional.
Though serious, you can survive for several years under the right treatment. If it has spread to other lymph nodes aside from those within the pelvic region or to the bones or other parts of the body, then it is metastatic.
The next step would be to determine what lymph nodes have been affected, as well as the extent of metastasis, using a PSMA PET (prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography) scan.
Your dad is only 50 years old, which is quite young for the condition. If he is fit apart from the condition, I am glad that you shared your experience with me, and I can understand that it is tough to live with this disorder. You are right, there is a little awareness regarding epilepsy in society.
However, you cannot change others' views or opinions about anything. What you are doing is more than enough. This is not your fault for catching this disease; it is similar to other physical illnesses.
The good news is that this disorder is not only manageable but also curable. You can share your experience with your loved ones, do regular exercise, and make a habit of taking a 30-minute walk on a daily basis. It will help you relax. Similarly, do deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation exercises.
You should try to explain your illness to everyone, as nobody can understand you except your loved ones. This does not mean illness is not real; rather, they lack proper knowledge about the illness.
Sometimes, it is possible others may not act weird, but due to constant pressure, evaluation, and stigma, our brain can make false interpretations. These are called cognitive distortions. One of the important cognitive distortions in your case may be fortune-telling or jumping to conclusions. You can read more about them.
They will help you understand how our thoughts run our emotions and behaviors, and how a single thought can change the direction of meaning. They recommend a more aggressive form of treatment since young men can take advantage of this kind of treatment and can potentially live longer.
I hope this explanation has been clear and helpful, and I wish you continued good health and wellness. I also wish your daughters a lifetime of health and happiness.
Thank you.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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