Results back from surgery mixed bag not sure what next.

Good afternoon.

I am not really qualified to answer this, as I did not have surgery, but I am going to offer some thoughts as answers can bump you up the list so that people more qualified than me can give you some better information.

So, I looked up all the words, and came up with a lot of documents that it would be true to say I don't understand.

Two things appear to me to be a summary of what has happened:

1. The words themselves MAY mean that some cancer cells have been left behind. This MIGHT mean that you have to have more treatment.
2. From what I could see, this is not an immediately dangerous thing. The surgery concerned always carries the risk of leaving something behind, and this usually leads to additional treatments, such as radiotherapy.

Your consultant will give you the full background and what they are prepared to do about it.

There may be a wait for further information, but you will be in good hands.

Now I have followed up with you, others will be along, better at this game than me.

Gary73 said:

<3mm Gleason grade 3 at the margin

full summary 3+4 = 7 

 grade 2 

stage pT2cNX 

Histology (or, in your case, pathology) is king. These figures are indicative of a cancer that is still curable with a bit of salvage radiotherapy (if needed). It looks like there is 3mm of grade 3 left behind and grade 3 is slow growing - normally associated with active surveillance (hence I said “if needed” above).  However, the full summary does say 3+4 (presumably in the gland : since removed) but there may have been some local escapees. Again, don’t panic: the grade 2 is low risk. The pT2c shows that there’s not even sure about an escape. The NX means that they haven’t looked at the lymph nodes.  I suspect that they will MRI scan you again.  The important thing is that you have time on your side. Gleason Grade 3 can be observed and does not require immediate action. Try to stay calm. You will be given a plan and you have time to consider. You’re curable: you’ll be fine.   AW

Ok thanks for reply.  I see my consultant in June and see what they say. I’ll ask about another mri but only had one 5 weeks prior to surgery and they checked my nodes and they were clear so hopefully they’re still clear. It was such a quick turnaround in terms of getting diagnosed to having surgery all with a 5/6 week period. 
thanks again for your reply 

Hi Gary73 . Alpine Wanderer is spot on -don't panic. Besides the histology from the Prostatectomy it is also important to monitor how things are going with regular PSA tests, I would push for 3 monthly initially. You will expect to have a negligible result once it has got out of your bloodstream which can take 6-8 weeks following the Prostatectomy. From then on it should remain negligible but with positive margins you have a higher risk of possible biochemical recurrence which is determined as a rise in PSA above 0.2. There has been work done on assessing the best timing for salvage radiotherapy if it is necessary and at the moment the recommendation seems to be whilst the PSA is still below 0.25 as this keeps you on the curative pathway. Stay vigilant.

I hope you continue with your speedy recovery.