Time from diagnosis to treatment

Hi Ian 

7 months does seem quite a long time however your stats are quite low.

Looks like you're not on HT yet which is surprising if the tumour is pushing on the gland edge.

I think I would be pushing for that because hopefully would hold the tumour back and prevent from breaking out.

Treatment slightly more difficult if breaks through but potentially still curable.

Post back when u know more 

All the best

Steve 

Morning Ian

I agree 100% with Grundo - whatever course of action is to be taken in the future to sort out your prostate cancer you should be on HT to start the process.

I am in North West England under 2 health authorities but my urology nurse has told me "he who pushes gets - we are under pressure". I would be back onto the hospital pushing for an answer.

I hope this helps and good luck with your journey. - Brian.

Hi Ian

Couldn't agree more with Steve and Brian. If you aren't on HT,  7 months is a long time. PC is slow growing, I understand, but any growth can't be good, especially if yours is close to breaking through the capsule.

I would be looking for a clear, concise and in words of two syllables an explanation of why you havnt been put on HT while they faff about.

Regards

Stuart

I had my first PSA test in Feb 2018 unknown to me as I had a  DVT. The second test was in September that year resulting in MRI scans and biopsy. This came up with figures similar to your own except PSA was 11 and Gleason was 8. As soon as the tests were finished I was given the diagnosis and immediately started on HT. That was November and I started radiotherapy in February so i had a wait of 7 months after my first PSA test. I was also told the tumor was pushing on the edge of the capsule and I had no symptoms. 

Good luck with your future treatment.      Regards Reg  

Hi Ian, I agree with the other guy's, 7 months is a long time to wait without being retested, you kneed to be having a firm word with them, tell them your stress out, you could contact the hospital PALS for help. All the best Ulls 

I agree with the replies already made. My husband was in the same situation/ stage and we pushed! He received his diagnosis in Sept. Started hormone therapy at beginning of November and starts radiotherapy next week. If we had not pushed he would have got his August MRI scan results mid December!

Don't want to pinch the thread and will post further in the naughty corner thread but good luck to you and your other half on your Radiotherapy visits - I hope all goes well - Cheers - Brian.

Hi everyone

Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated.

So, today I had the PET scan and the results should be with the consultant by Friday. I have rung the specialist nurse and, as forcefully as I could to an answerphone, told her that I am available for a meeting at any time from the 15th Feb and as I have been waiting over 7 months I would appreciate it ASAP. If there are any further delays I will contact the PALS as suggested.

Thanks again for the replies, best wishes and good luck to all.

Ian

And good luck to you, too, Ian. Let us know how it goes?

Hi Ian,

7 months seems way too long.  But it's good that you've had your PET scan before HT as the HT will shrink back any minute spread of cancer and it wouldn't show up on the PET, so if your PET scan comes back clear you will have a true reading.  I agree with everyone, HT now seems worth asking about,  my partner phoned his GP and pushed for HT and he agreed and made it happen. So you could go that route as well.

Good news is that your Gleeson score is 3+4=7 that is a lower scoring 7 than a 4+3=7. so that indicates a slower growing cancer (I think??) whereas when you get a 5 (eg. 3+5)  in the score that's more worrying as the (5 part) indicates an aggressive cancer that's moving fast. This is probably why the nurse seemed more chilled about it,  though she could have discussed that a bit more in-depth as to why she felt it wasn't a problem.  If your PSA was 9.5 in June and you've waited 7 months with no treatment I would ask for another PSA test as well.

Good luck with the PET Scan results.

L