I am 57 and my PSA was almost 6 when I had a biopsy. The Gleason score came back a 7 (3+4). My Urologist sent me to talk to the Radiologist and to the Surgeon to help me make the next steps. I asked the Radiologist about getting a DNA test on the cancer to determine if it was an aggressive type and he said the results would be a guess at this point in time. (year 2016) Maybe in 5 years or 10 years they'd know more, but they don't have enough DNA data to know aggressive from not. I did ask the Urologist for that test and the results came back "High Risk" and a score of 75 of 100. The Urologist accepted it as fact. So why does the Radiologist think the test of no use and the Urologist think it fact? BTW, the surgeon says remove the prostate immediately. He has done 1000's. 7 of 12 core samples had cancer, no doubt that I have cancer, and if he does a radical prostatectomy prior to symptoms, then the results are far better than after experiencing symptoms. What to do?
I sent my biopsy remains to Prolaris for genetic testing, the results came back in the non aggressive range. However, after 7 months I had PSA reading and my PSA Elevated 1.4 . I was very disappointed. I found it contadictory to my Non aggressive PCa.
May I ask what country you are in and can you financially pay for your own treatment or are you restricted to government or insurance options?
Ultimate decision up to you but by what you're stating is that is at high risk or not I will probably have surgery again I am not telling you what to do but in my situation I had a low cancer risk at 3 +3 score and My stage is one I'm having my prostate removed December 7th
Low risk stage 1
My husband has had a robit assisted radical prostatectomy last month. First biopsy showed a small area ~PSA was12 and scored as 3+3 Surgeon has a further targeted biopsy done thank god as it showed more agressive cancer elsewhere in the prostate, 3+4 so only choice was to remove it. He had absolutely no symptoms, raised PSA picked up on routione blood tests. In regards to DNA, GUYS are undertaking a 1 milllion genome research at the moment, and it will be able to tell families in around 20 years time if they are more at risk of getting Prostate Cancer or not. For us there was only one choice, no other treatment suitable because of where the agressive cancer was in the prostate and my motto is its better out than in. Yes there is the incontinence to cope with, which is far worse the first few days than the stress incontinence it was describe at and we will have to deal with ED as only one side nerves could be saved but I would rather have him here with me, than have to deal with cancer spreading elsewhere that could be fatal. Only you can decide whats best for you, but my choice is to have it out. My husband is 62 by the way.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
If your health is good ,have the prostectomy....
Very excellent comment
USA. Insurance pays for most any typical treatment recommended by the Urlologist.
Thanks for the info. My plan is to remove it but am still 2nd guessing that plan. Probably should stop hoping for a different solution.
I was the same age as you a year ago, and I had mine taken out. You are too young for radiation
Leaning that way. Thanks, David
Yes, I think radiation is wrong for my age. Won't be doing it. Thanks, David
I agree with Tybeeman (and we don't agree often...lol) you should not consider radiation unless it is a last resort option. 7 of 12 core samples would indicate there is a lot of cancer. This is one of the times I would say a prostatectomy is your best option.
I would recommend an MRI to see how many areas of concern are involved and even more important at this point...get a bone scan to make sure it has not spread. If it is still localized then prostatectomy is best choice in my opinion. If it has spread, then radiation is your best choice because you will have to have radiation treatment anyway so you don't need to do both.
However, based on Gregs results, I think he has MUCH better options available to him than a prostatectomy.
thank you but I choose to have the surgery because I don't want anything hanging around and knowing that I have cancer im my body I wouldn't feel very comfortable or confident that it's just not going away eventually to me is going to get it worth in my opinion with time again this is only my opinion
I'm a little nervous but my schedule surgery is December 7th nervous but confident
Mine is scheduled Dec 14th. Also nervous and getting more confident.
I had my prostate removed on Sept. 21 because of very similar scores as yours.
You do have cancer and the sooner you take care of it, the better.
If you were older, I could see keeping an eye on it, but you still have a lot of years left and waiting while the cancer grows and possibly spreads, is risky.
My surgeon did not even hesitate to recommend removing the prostate and he is the expert in this area so I went with his advice.
I had my prostate removed on Sept. 21 because of very similar scores as yours.
You do have cancer and the sooner you take care of it, the better.
If you were older, I could see keeping an eye on it, but you still have a lot of years left and waiting while the cancer grows and possibly spreads, is risky.
My surgeon did not even hesitate to recommend removing the prostate and he is the expert in this area so I went with his advice.
Then it is the right decision for you and support you 100%. Just wanted you to be aware of two other procedures that kill the cancer and then your body flushes it out of your system with none of the bad side effects.
Good luck and I wish you well and a speedy recovery.
I do not agree that aunt beanie's comment is excellent. In particular I take issue with her comment that her moto is " better out than in". This is not true with respect to prostate cancer. It does not behave like other cancers such as High grade lung cancer.
For those who are new to this site, " high grade" ( say 4+5) does not mean it WILL spread from the prostate. It means that it is more likely to spread and to spread quicker than intermediate grade (3+4), but factors like the patient's age and PSA history come into play. For instance, say the PSA has doubled in a year, THEN I would endorse surgery.
Unlike treating most other cancers, "getting it out" will not always improve a patient's quality of life.