Extraprostatic extension - Absent. Meaning?

Hi WW 

E. extension absent means spread outside the gland not obvious.

Think am right in saying biopsy is only done inside the gland.

MRI should show if broken through, buldging means on the inside gland edge.

Can't remember all his stats, wonder what the last MRI showed about the tumour nearing the gland edge 

Steve 

Hi Steve

thanks for replying. PSA 10, t3 N0 M 0. Gleason 4+3=7.

he had his first radiotherapy review today and this raised some questions for us. The radiotherapist wants us to see the oncologist tomorrow as a result . Day 9 of radiotherapy tomorrow. I have come home and examined the biopsy report and the MRI report in closer detail and there are even more questions to be asked. I, too, wondered if they can biopsy the area outside of the prostate? The MRI report just said there was suspicion that the tumour could have gone through the wall but it seems as if it was obscured on the scan - if I have interpreted it correctly!

I am fast becoming an urology specialist in my dotage!!!

Don't think biopsy is done outside the gland but could be wrong there.

When was MRI done, sounds like a bit of a question mark because appears gland wall bulging 

They should be able to cover that with the RT in progress.

Yes I think u will end up being a specialist, u can start looking for a consulting room

Steve 

Judging by the sheer number of people posting in this forum I would have a flourishing business - sadly.

well, hopefully we will get some answers tomorrow!

Hi WW

If you can  speak with the Cancer Nurse Specialist, they, generally, make more sense, and use layman's terms, than consultants. When I was diagnosed,I didn't understand a word until we spent time with the CNS.

Regards

Stuart

Thank you, Stuart. We are speaking with the oncology consultant this morning after RT number 9. We have compiled a long list of questions which have been troubling us on and off for some time and to which we can’t get answers. I went through the biopsy report and mri reports with a fine tooth comb yesterday and tried to put the bits I understood into easier language because he has been struggling to understand.the terminology. He reached rock bottom yesterday and so we need to get proper explanations. Also, he admitted what I’ve recognised for several weeks, he is not thriving on the HT at all. I have heard him sit so many times telling the drs and nurses he feels ok when I’ve watched him go lower and lower mentally and physically. Yesterday I told him he is allowed to stop being polite and to tell the truth about how he is feeling!

Hi WW

HT is tough, as I'm sure you have picked up. The fatigue is pretty hard to cope with and I understand could bring him down.  I'm not aware of any ways round this, but maybe changing to a different testosterone blocker, might be an option to discuss with the consultant.

It's great you are going with a list of questions, and I'm hoping you get the option to attend the meeting. If my partner hadn't come in with me, I wouldn't have had a clue what anyone said, after the C word.

I agree, he needs to be honest and open with them, as if they don't know how can they help? As I previously said, the CNS are, generally, very good and have the time to talk through concerns etc. Try and befriend them - I'm sure you won't regret it!

Regards

Stuart

A couple of thoughts...

Find and join a local prostate cancer support group. You can get a lot of emotional support by joining other men and their partners going through the same thing, most of whom will be further along their treatment, so they can share their experiences for coping. You will almost certainly make some great new friends too.

The best antidote to the hormone therapy sides effects (especially fatigue) is exercise. I tell men they need to regard exercise as mandatory while on hormone therapy. Ask if there's a local exercise class for cancer patients - many areas run one. There are also some Zoom based ones if nothing is available locally, but attending with other patients is best, as again they will all support each other. If there isn't anything, simply going for a walk is a good exercise to start with, and the intensity and duration is easily adjustable as you get fitter.

Hi Andy

Great ideas - wish I had thought of them 3 years ago!

Regards

Stuart

Morning WW - On my MRI there were "shadows" and the urologist thought the cancer had left the gland and gone walkabout.

Later in the year when the oncologist checked the MRI she said it was still in the gland and the MRI was unclear so my RT was "Prostate and Nodes" just to wipe up any little sods who had gone walkabout.

I know you know more than Mr Google about PC but there is a cracking booklet from Prostate Cancer UK called "Living with hormone therapy - a guide for men with PC". It might help.

Good luck today and best wishes to you both - hoping for a great outcome.

Brian.