Husband just diagnosed with prostate cancer feel numb and hurt. Has psa 16 and Gleason score 7. Gotta av bone scan see if spread, and then decide whether av removed or radiotherapy. He is only 58. Feelsick to tthe bone. Anyone have any hope or good stories.
Hi Annette,don't despair just yet,I know how you feel my hubby was diagnosed with a gleeson score of 7 in April,like you to start with we were devastated. Then we started to think positive and get as much information as possible before making a decision .
We went for Hormone treatment and Radiotherapy,he finished that about 4wks ago,and to be honest he sailed through it. The Hormone injections though give him a few hot sweats but not to bad. We're now just waiting for an appointment with his Oncologist.
The best advise I could offer is think positive,and read up on as much information as you can. Also join the Macmillan forum,they are a great help,you can also give them a ring and they will answer any questions you have. Just keep learning. Good luck to you both.
Hi Annette
Wait for the bone scan, and see what Multi Dicipline Team suggest.
I was diagnosed in 2013 - Gleason 7, PSA 6, Staging T3b.
Went the Radio Therapy route. Now 2 years later PSA remains at <0.1
Keep positive, lots of Prostate Cancer survivors on this site.
Hi annette
sorry to hear your husband is going through this. I am 18 months post operative following the removal of my prostate. I too had a Gleason of 7 but a psa of 4.5. I was 57 when this all started so similar age.
the positives is this is a well trodden road and therefore you will be in good hands. Things are still pretty new so you need to fully understand your options and do what is best for you
I am all clear after 18 months with no sgnificant side effects.
The important thing is you explore fully your options as there are various different treatments you will have open to you. This is a slow growing cancer so you have time to look into it fully.
if you have any specific questions please don't hesitate to ask.
all the best mike
Annette, I'm 63, psa 6.3, gleason score 7, had my Prostate removed and Lymph Nodes removed July 30th. I found the scariest part of this whole thing was the first 30 days because I really didn't know anything. Once all the test were run and I sat down with my doctors did I feel ok. Now for some hope...I live in Houston and we have a hospital here called md Anderson. It specializes in cancer. The director gave a speech about 6 months ago and talked about how far research has come in Prostate cancer. He said if a man is going to get cancer then prostate cancer is it. Odds are very very high that myself and your husband will die of a heart attack or stroke. Not PC. Pat
Was the gleason 3+4, or 4+4? makes a difference
Was the gleason 3+4, or 4+4? makes a difference
I meant 3+4, or 4+3?
The consultant just said score was 7 y wot is the difference.
Hi Annette
I too was only given the one figure i.e.7
I'm really lost wot is the difference is my hubby worst than if ad +.
What Patrick said,We were told the same,it is slow growing,and my hubby's oncologist,told us nearly all men have Postrate cancer when they die,BUT they usually die of some other disease Heart Attack,Stroke,ect ect.
please don't worry to much just get as much information as possible before you make the decision of which option your going to take.
Information and Positivity are two key words.
Information,and Positivity two key words.
3 indicates a very slow growing cancer, 4 is bit more aggressive . The first number in the total score means that is the majority type of cancer in the sample.so 3+4 would mean predominantly slow growing, whereas, 4+3 would indicate predominantly more aggressive.
Hi Annette.
All is not bad. I was diagnosed in May with a PSA of 27 and a gleasin score of 4+5 (9) Biopsy showed 100% infected in all 20 samples.
AS mines spread (only by millimeters) I'm on monthly Hormone treatment to reduce size of prostate, which is working. (well apart from sore bigger breasts and hot sweats) My oncologist said now you know how women feel! Oh and it makes you very emotional (for gods sake, dont let him watch 'Love Actually'!!)
The trick is to treat it with the contempt it deserves..I've called mine 'Conrad'! Still working 5-6 days a week at my own business.
At my 3 monthly check up, senior doc said as long as I keep responding well to the treatment 'Ive got years'
As long as things go well , its not that scarey, more inconvienient than anything else.
Chin up and be strong.
Thanx for reply, he has had excruciating back pain for over a year so I'm worried it has started making way into bones.
Hi, my other half diagnosed last year age 57. Gleason 6 psa 4.9 no symptoms. Found in a general well man test. He had brachytherapy. He was never offered a bone scan so we have to take their word that it hasn't spread, he too has a very bad back, to the point where he is moaning all through the night. He has had x rays and they said his spine is wearing away. He works hard, he's a farmer. So we have to hope that's all it is. Well, not all because he doesn't want a worn spine, but it is better than cancer in the bones.
As for your husband, wait for all tests then get as much info as you can before choosing treatment. Please don't be pushed for a treatment you don't want. Good luck.
I am going to piggy back Annette's question. I hope that is okay, I am not quite sure how this board works. 
The doctor has been watching my brother PSA for a year now. It was a 6.3 a year ago, 8.7 six months ago, and 11.3 yesterday. He refuses to go to a urologist. I keep finding information about prostrate cancer with treatment, but what happens if he continues to refuse to even be tested for cancer? I keep reading that it is a slow growing cancer, but is that even without treatment? I just do not know what to expect. I have read down this post about a Gleason test and he has not had that. Any information would be greatly appreciated. He is 70 years old and in good health otherwise. Thank you!
Hi Denise
It is imperative that your brother goes to see an Urologist. With increasing PSA, normally the Urologist would first check the prostate by DRI. Following this, the Urologist may require further tests. The sooner the better, although Prostate Cancer is slow growing, treatment at an early stage is imperative.
Hi Denise
I'm most likely re-iterating some prvious answers, however...
Hubby MUST get tested. I waited (& waited), prevaracated etc and it did me no good what so ever. A rising PSA is'nt necessarily the most reliable indicator but never the less, ask for a biopsy, that way you'll both know one way or the other.
There lots of people on here who live a full life with prostate cancer, (supposedly theres up to 100,000 men out there wuth it hwo will never know they've got it)!
Its not that scarey, but get tested...period!
Hi denise,My hubby was diagnosed in April,that came from a rising PSA ,as which someone has said is not that reliable,he then seen an oncologist who then gave him a MRI scan,and a biopsy,as to which they took what they took 12cores,he said he never felt a thing,but 3of the cores were cancerous. Now up until this My hubby has had no other illness he's 73yrs old he walks everyday he's a really fit fellow for his age.
Now he went down the Hormone and radiotherapy treatment which he has sailed through.
My suggestion to you is for your brother to see a oncologist,listen to his options ,he only has to listen he can then go away and find out as much information as you both can,before coming to a decision. It is slow growing so he can just take his time with his decision .