Further information on MRI results

Hello Porthleven 

Thank you for your post. Let me go through everything line by line:

Provisional Staging T3bN0MX - Potentially curable, with a 95% survivable rate of over 5 years. T3b - the cancer has left the gland and is in the seminal vesicles, N0 - it's not in the lymph nodes and MX - further spread unknown at this stage.

Likert 5 - This only confirms the MRI has a clear view of the Prostate and the MRI confirms cancer very likely.

Prostate Volume of 39cc would suggest a slightly enlarged prostate.

PSA density is high suggesting that cancer is present.

The FULL diagnosis will be given once the results of the bone scan and the biopsy are known. All prostate cancer is treatable - not all is curable.

I hope the above helps, any questions please do come back to me.

Best wishes - Brian.

Thank you. We’re hoping that the N0 stays that way and nothing is found on the CT scan. He had a CT eight weeks ago in hospital when he fell and fractured his hip, and nothing suspicious was mentioned then, but that scan was probably localised to the hip area.  Also hope the bone scan will be clear, he has zero symptoms but we know that’s no guarantee.  

We just have to keep our fingers crossed for cureable or at least treatable disease. He said it feels odd to have this advanced cancer but feels 100 percent well. 

thanks again for replying.

Hello Porthleven 

Yes, I wish you well with these final results. Once you have these and a treatment plan things will be much clearer.

Porthleven said:

He said it feels odd to have this advanced cancer but feels 100 percent well. 

I can agree that statement - I am over 4 years into my journey, things have changed so much HT for life, an increased Gleason Score, now coming off HT again! and still clinging to a T3a - although I am aware this might change. The funny thing is I feel healthier than I have done in years!

Fingers crossed and Positive thoughts and we will both get there.

Best wishes - Brian.

Thanks, and yes, positive attitude will keep us going, never give up, never surrender…. A daft quote from my favourite “cheer me up” film (Galaxy Quest). 

My strapline:

"Strength, Courage, Faith, Hope, Defiance, VICTORY".

Came from a badge bought by my then 8 year old grand daughter when she found out "grumps has cancer".

and my favourite tune when I am down is by Chumbawamba - Tubthumping:

"I get knocked down - But I get up again

 You're never gonna keep me down".

Strange how little things can keep the spirits up!

Best wishes - Brian.

A hugely under rated film with great performances from Sigourney Weaver & Alan Rickman amongst many others.  Just think Star Trek on a bad day 

Porthleven said:

never give up, never surrender

One of my favourite phrases , Porthleven  …now, I agree with everything that Millibob has already told you.

Your team have an excellent view of the cancer and , despite the 3b, the symptoms and scores are similar to mine. As it is 3b, I think it likely that the MDT will steer the treatment pathway down the radiotherapy route. Given the PSA density v prostate size (which isn’t that big), brachytherapy boost with a side order of hormone therapy might be a very good option.   AW

Thanks for replying. Having done some research on the prostate cancer uk website we are thinking the same.  It might not be curable but having read other peoples stories (although I know everyone is different and what works for one might not be as successful for another) we are hoping that treatment will work and quality of life can be maintained over the next five or even ten years. I’ve read some very Inspirational stories on here, including yours.

 Porthleven remember, even though you have T3b, as long as the “b” bit is still in the prostate / pelvic area (such as seminal vesicles), the radiotherapy will be expertly targeted (as the team should have an excellent view of where the lesions are).  Think of brachytherapy as an army of snipers at close range killing cancer cells, and the external beam radiotherapy as the nuclear hurricane that sweeps up any stragglers or cells hiding in crevices).  Hope that analogy helps!  Maybe I’m watching too much news on the TV!!   AW