I have just been diagnosed with the following results.
PSA 8.5
MRI bilateral pirads 4 in the peripheral zone.
Gleason grade 2 score 7 (3+4) 17/21 cores positive with less than 5% at pattern 4.
T stage T1
TNM localised early
CPG 2
I have asked for a meeting with the oncologist to discuss treatment options. I am worried about the number of positive cores as it feels high, however I have very limited knowledge. Any advice to help me understand the way forward would be welcome.
Hi Crown green2e787e thanks for providing your stats. Quite interesting and you will probably be offered Active Surveillance (AS), Surgery (RP) or Radiotherapy (RT). Your overall scores are low but as you say, quite a high number of positive cores but at low grade so AS may not be offered. We have some on here who are not in favour of AS and with your scores I would agree. Please ask any questions.
Best wishes, David
Please remember that I am not medically trained and the above are my personal views.
Hi Crown green2e787e , glad you are here, even though it probably seems to you that you don't want to be. This is a good place to get ideas from people who have been through the mill.
Your various scores suggest that you have ALL the options, which is both a blessing and a curse. Your doctors are likely to lay it all out and then give you the choice.
Read as much as you can on MacMillan's information pages, and those of Prostate Cancer UK and Cancer Research UK. Gather the information, and then make a list of the side effects that you think may most concern you for each treatment.
It's not quite as easy as deciding that the treatment with the least side effects is the one, because they are fickle things, and you may be put off by something that will never affect you.
There are people on here who have experienced nearly every available side effect, so you can get a clear idea about how they may affect you.
Your team will suggest plans to you, and the combination of all of these things will lead you to a clear decision.
Steve
Changed, but not diminished.
Hi David2017, I have been recommended AS after the mdt but a letter also says I would be suitable for all options. I feel that I need to discuss it in more detail with the oncologist so have asked for an appointment.
If it is not AS my thoughts at this point are towards radiotherapy.
Hoping a face to face appointment will give me the reassurance I need. Thanks
Hi mstev2 thanks for the reply, I do seem to be suitable for all options from conversations so far. Initially I thought AS but after talking about it to my wife & family I have a lot more questions so asked for a meeting with the oncologist to discuss this and other options in more detail. Its all happened quite quickly so Im reading a little every day to gain more knowledge. I have a friend who went down the RT route and has had good outcomes so I am considering that if I go further than AS. Thanks for your support
Remember that you have caught this at a very early stage.
Prostate Cancer - even the aggressive ones, which you do not have - grow slowly.
You have time to ensure that you make the right decisions.
I had RT earlier this year and am pretty much over the minimal side effects I suffered - primarily a level of fatigue that was additional to that imposed by the HT.
The results have been good six months out, and I am now on 6-monthly reviews.
That's why I mentioned that people get different side effects, because a friend of mine had a few. You can only take your best guess as to the ones you are prepared to encounter.
I wish you very well.
Steve
Changed, but not diminished.
Whatever cancer throws your way, we’re right there with you.
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