HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Re: Update with stats.....Finally!

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/20/2009 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
I posted about a month ago regarding my husband's recent diagnosis with prostate cancer; in fact, I think I said that we felt as if we were stumbling around in a nightmare. The great support group here tried to calm me down, but asked for more info on the findings. So, we now have more info and once again, ask for your help:

Age at diagnosis: 71

PSA: 2.8

Pathology: of 10 cores taken at the biopsy, 4 were malignant, one was suspicious and one was spoiled.

Gleason: 3+3=6

DRE: Normal

Bone scan: clear

CT scan: 'something questionable' in the right kidney. Ultrasound of kidney scheduled for Jan. 13, 2010

Stage: T1 or T2 (depending on scan of kidney?)

Volume: 51cc up from 38cc in May 2009

Mets to bone or tissue: None

Recommendations from urologist: Seek a second opinion from another urologist in Brampton. His secretary to call us with a date.

My hubby and I, while still stunned by the diagnosis, have been doing research on treatment options. Hubby wants to do the 'Active Surveillance' with the help of holistic approaches such as those described by Dr. Lorraine Day. I, on the other hand, question the efficacy of her suggestions, but think that they'll do no harm while we wait.

Any input would be most helpful.

 

Posted 12/20/2009 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hello again, thanks for supplying the extra data.

The bad news: prostate cancer, no doubt

The good news: Gleason 6, and 4 of 10 cores cancerous, normal DRE, and PSA that is well within age factored range

With your husband's age of 71, and based on all the data, I would say he would have a good shot at Watchful Waiting or Active Survelience.

Most Gleason 6's aren't real agressive. Even though I was a surgery guy, I would almost think that radiation in the form of Seeds might be a viable option for him too.

How is your husbands overall medical health? I am not sure I would go for the stress and aftermath of surgery with his numbers.

A second opinion with a radiation oncologist is definitely in order in my opinion, and talking to another urologist wouldn't hurt. Don't feel rushed, should have plenty of time to think all the options through.

Thanks for the update, and we will remember you both.

David in SC
Posted 12/20/2009 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your reply, David. My husband's overall medical health is very good with the exception of high blood pressure which has been stablized for years with prescription meds.

I welcome a second opinion from a second urologist and would also like an app't with a prostate oncologist if such a specialty exists in Toronto, ON which is the largest city reasonably close to us.
Posted 12/20/2009 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
Glad his overall health is good, love hearing that. If you can't find a prostate oncologist specific, then seek just a good radiation oncologist, most have much experience with prostate cancer cases.

The stress of surgery, along with some degree of incontinence and/or ED is something to weigh in, and if I were over 70, with low numbers (especially knowing what I have been through in the past 13 months, and still ongoing), I would definitely listen to the argument for Watchful Waiting. While there are no guarantees, and don't let any doctors mislead you there, there's a good chance with his numbers that his cancer will not progress to a level of causing his death. Just an educated opinion.

I think you will both feel better when you a couple of more opinions from the medical community.

Please keep us posted, and once you start narrowing down your options, let us know, we have people here experiencedd with almost any treatment path you choose, including Watchful Waiting.

David in SC
Posted 12/20/2009 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
I would agree with David on this. With the gleason 6 and the age of 71 and otherwise healthy I think watchful waiting for a few months is a good approach. I think you will find doctors agreeing on this. I to think in the event a course of treatment is chosen that seeds would be a viable option. Please keep us posted as to the second opinion. Glad you found us yet sorry you had to join our family.

peace be with you
Dale
Posted 12/21/2009 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
Dale, and I am certain in advance you would agree with me on this part. AS or WW takes a different kind of self discipline. It's not an excuse to do nothing. The patient would need to work closely with their doctor, do regular scheduled PSA tests, and still have additional DRE's and biopsies on an agreed upon schedule. If a person follows that schedule closely, and assuming they have the right criteria to start with, it's definitely worth it for men to use this method.

David in SC
Posted 12/21/2009 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
Afterglo, I must say David is a smart man. I agree with him completely. Get other opinions for sure. We are not Drs. with the low grade AS is a real choice. RT and seeds are a great option as well. My 70 y/o uncle chose seeds due to his age and the complications or lack of. He is very pleased with his treatment. I was diagnosed at 57 and chose open surgery as recomended. The 2 of you must discuss the options and make a decision. Best wishes with you quest.

Jeff T
Cajun Country
Posted 12/21/2009 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
Pretty easy choice for a 71 year old. Wait to see if it progresses, by taking psa tests quarterly and getting another biopsy in a year. You will know a lot more about what the PC is doing and how agressive it is. You can easily get treated in a year or two if you have to, but the odds are that he will go for quite a few years without any treatment or any danger.
JY
Posted 12/21/2009 2:44 AM (GMT 0)

If you are near Toronto, and if you are considering Active Surveillance...

Dr Laurence Klotz at the University of Toronto is one of the top experts in the world in AS, and has been running the benchmark program there since mid-90's with many hundreds of men.  Patient selection is a key tactic for major AS programs, but Klotz runs a 2-tiered program:  They want patients to be "low risk" if they are up to 70 years old, but they are comfortable with intermediate risk patients if they are older than 70.

Here's a link to an intelligent, informative discussion:  http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=3466896&postcount=29

Posted 12/21/2009 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
I think the obvious fly in the ointment here is the kidney. That may require removal if it proves to be cancerous. They use the DaVinci for that as well.

I agree that the PC can be watched for a while.

Goodlife
Posted 12/21/2009 3:01 AM (GMT 0)

Do you know the % core content of each of the 4 positives?

Mike

Posted 12/22/2009 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
I'd like to thank each and every one of those who responded to my request for input after I had posted as much info as I currently have regarding my husband's prostate cancer diagnosis.

 

As far as the percentage of malignancy in the four cancerous cores, I don't know, but will find out that as well as  the percentage of free PSA.

 

As of this morning, we have an appointment for the second opinion on January 6th. I questioned the fact that the ultrasound would be done after that, but was told that it is not an issue at this point. I would have thought differently, but I'm very new to this anyway.

 

Yes, the 'suspicious finding' in the right kidney is a wild card here for sure.

 

I am hopeful that in the not too distant future Hubby might be able to consult with Dr. Klotz as Toronto is only an hour's drive from us.

 

To everyone on this forum: I wish you the best of Christmases and a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!yeah

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply