Questions about cancer diagnosis

You shouldn't be in a hurry - the most important thing of all is to research research research. This will give you a clear understanding of where you stand, the options available to you and most importantly what questions to ask doctor/s you consult.

In addition it would be good to get an expert pathologist (eg Bostwick) look at your biopsy slides to determine whether the results you have are accurate. The run of the mill pathologist that looks at most biopsies often has not seen even a fraction of the slides that an expert would have seen and you really want your decisions to be based on an expert reading of your biopsy slides.

Hope this helps, I know how distressing being diagnosed with PC is and that is really another reason to wait a while till you have got over the shock. PC is a slow growing cancer and month or two or three or five is unlikley to change anything.

An

A 6 is obviously MUCH better than a 7, 8, or 9. So the initial reading looks like you have a somewhat less agressive form of a cancer that typically is very slow growing to begin with. That said, you will read here that Gleason scores often increase after the prostate is removed and sent to pathology and they have a chance to give it a good look. Also, 1 in 12 cores sounds good, is good, but remember, they took 12 needle shots at a  much larger object... it is very easy to have underestimated the volume of pca, simply due to odds.

Mine went from 3+4 Gleason 7 with 3 of 12 cores testiing positive to

4+3 Gleason 7 with 75% involvement after they were able to look at it.

IF you have to have this dreaded disease, sounds like your initial results are

about as good as one can hope for. I hope it stays that way.

There is no rush, per se. But obviously you want to get as munch information

and knowledge as you can, and dont put anything off just to put it off.

Wishing you all the best.

ChrisR -- I only live 1.5 hours from Johns Hopkins. I was thinking of going there for a second opinion. Which doc did you see at Hopkins?

You could even get a second opinion on your slides since you do have some time - some insurance co. cover it. We had the slides sent from a NY lab to JHopkins, which verified the diagnosis, dang it.

anxiety out the roof said...
I was diagnosed with 1 of 12 cores having cancer with a gleason score of 6. How much of a hurry should I be in to have threatment for it ?

Being in a hurry is strongly discouraged by the experts in prostate cancer.  I don't know the rest of your biopsy results (maybe it's posted elsewhere, but I didn't search), but you have the makings of being classified as "low risk" or "very low risk."

Good idea going to Johns Hopkins.

I have provided this link to other newcomers which is a web presentation by several well-known prostate cancer experts from Sloan-Kettering (another Comprehensive Cancer Center), including a surgeon, a radiation specialist, and an oncologist.  I really like what the surgeon, Dr Eastham, says to many patients, "Let's wait and see what this cancer does."

Hear it for your self at this site.  An excellent investment of your time at this point.

http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/95057.cfm

heres alittle food for thought for you, my pos. core count was also very low and a 6, we did our research made a plan and then went to it, my repair was 4 months from diag to fix. the final path report showed the tumor was right at the edge of the prostate and not down in the center, much more waiting could have been ugly if it had gotten loose. i am quite thankful we didnt mess around with this too long. made it thru the surgery fine, all is working well and my life is really quite the same as before just with out the mess, hehe. good luck to you.

did you ever mention your age?  younger guys tend to get a more aggressive cancer.

ed

I was 42 at diagnosis. At 38 my PSA was 2.4. So I am sure I had it at 33 or younger. Everything I have read and been told I'd that PCa is not more aggressive in younger people. That was old data from the pre PSA time.

ChrisR said...
I had open RRP by dr. Partin. They have a 99.6% cure rate for organ confined G6 people and no death or distant metastsis with up to 22 years follow up. I would go there for my surgery and get a second opinion on everything from them. I would not even waste my time going any place else. I can send you the contact info.

I know everyone is different but I have no ED issues and am full continent.

Also calm down. If you are G6 I know it's tough but G6 prostate cancer is curable.

That is what Johns Hopkins said. They used the word "cure"

thanks Chrisr- I would appreciate you sending the contact info. thanks in advance

What was your last PSA ??

I will get you his information. At 61 with G6 you are probably going to hear a lot of people to argue that you don't need treated at all. G6 prostate cancer is usually very unaggressive. I mean we are talking more then 20 years to advanced desease.

We had a totally different experience than most with G6:

 

Hubby age 65 at diagnosis

2/09 - PSA 2.8

3/09 - Small nodule felt on DRE

3/09 - 12 core biopsy - 2 positive cores, both 20%, G6

5/09 - Consult with head of GU Oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa FL

           Biopsy slides reviewed and initial findings confirmed

           Advised that cancer was very small and slow-growing

           Advised that he should be fine with AS for at least 5 years

8/09 - Consult with Dr Vip Patel re: DaVinci RP  

11/09-DaVinci RP by Dr. Patel at FL Hospital Celebration

           Pathology pT3a, Gleason 5+3 (8), positive margins, extracapsular extension

1/10 - PSA .1

3/10 - PSA .1

5/10 - PSA .2

6/10 - PSA .3, Began RT x 40 treatments, hormone therapy x 2 years

9/10 - RT completed, next PSA & hormone injection 11/10

We were told after we got the shocking pathology report that hubby was one of the unfortunate few whose cancer was extremely aggressive, unlike most men with similar initial findings. 

Not trying to discourage you at all - just wanted you to know that not everyone with a Gleason 6 can be assured that they have plenty of time to make a decision on treatment.  Our best wishes to you.............

Margie