Prostate Cancer

Hi Rre 

Have u had a biopsy yet to give a Gleeson score because without that not really possible to say Def cancer, your PSA is not particularly high, I presume the 4.5 is PSA,?

Maybe a bit early to think about surgery or RT, try and get some more info particularly if u have had a biopsy

Steve

Hi Steve. My PSA kept increasing it was at a high of 7.9 before I was referred to urology. The 4.5 is what he told me once he done the calculations. When he done the biopsy total of 12, he said cancer was present in 10 of the biopsies, he also stated that it was safe to believe the cancer is in my lymph node. He told me I need either radiation or have the prostate removed. I am looking at the biopsy results. Most of the Gleason scores are 3+4= 7, then on each biopsy ut has a grade group 2 followed by a % which the low is 17% and a high of 50

Ok, so Gleeson and PSA not particularly high. Wonder what makes him say that cancer is in a lymph node, perhaps it shows up on MRi

In reply to part of your first question surgery can cause more side effects than RT ie, ED and urinary issues.

Should be said that it doesn't always happen though.

With surgery you can still have RT if the cancer returns but very difficult the other way round. So do much online research to help u decide, it is a difficult one I must admit. see what happens in a couple of weeks when u see the urologist, it may be clearer then

Steve

Hi,

What exactly is the 4.5 ? It's not psa, it's not Gleason.

Did you have a MRI, what score did that have?

RT or surgery is a difficult decision, my experience is consultant won't tell you unless one is an obvious choice. You'll need to do research and make your own choice. 

You don't say your age? I'm 51 and leaning towards prostatectomy later in year. I've been told currently I don't need to rush treatment as mine is localised.

There is a prostate predictor website that you may find useful but for me outcomes for RT and prostatectomy are similar.

Good luck

Hi

I'm confused. If the cancer has spread to the lymph glands, my understanding ( as in my case) was that RT is the only option. So if your consultant is offering both, my feeling is that the cancer hasn't escaped.

May be missing something, and happy to be corrected.

Regards

Stuart

Not sure about the 4.5 if not PSA or Gleeson, have u got that figure printed anywhere.

Mri doesn't produce a score , it tells u where the cancer is located and if escaped the prostate gland.

As Scampi has said if in the lymph the RT would prob be better treatment.

I am 69 and had RT 5 years ago, everything ok so far.

You need to get hold of a copy of the MRi report which should tell u if spread to the lymph. I presume that u have had a MRI which is normally done before the biopsy, see what u can find out and come back to us

Good luck 

Steve 

My MRI had a PIRADS score of 3, I think it is a 1-5 scale, 5 is worse. 3 is inconclusive but with my strong family history I was sent for biopsy which came back as 12/18 cores with cancer.

I haven't had an mri, he has mentioned nothing of one yet. To be honest I'm not sure how but after done some calculations he said my score was a 4.5 I'm assuming this was a Gleason score.

Ok, think I've worked it out, you have had all the initial tests I reckon, Gleeson 7, PSA 4.5.

MRI pirads 3.

Obviously I could be wrong but if correct its looks a low key affair and quite treatable.

The most important thing is to check  if it's definitely in a lymph node.

U said that you're seeing the urologist in a couple of weeks.

Double check on the lymph.

Best wishes

Steve

Hi, what kind of biopsy did you have ?   In my experience I only had a biopsy once the MRI confirmed the cancer (Stage 3 a/b).   I had to have the Transperenial biopsy due to the location of the growth in the prostate…

Waiting on the biopsy results at the moment which is, for me at least, the worst part…. I want to know one way or the other !