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surgery done, pathology back

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Posted Today 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
 

So, we had DaVinci robotic surgery on Monday, came home last night.  Got pathology report back.  Turns out 3/10 lymphnodes that they took are positive too.  WHAT DOES THIS MEAN????  what is prognosis, what next? what next?  I am tired already and we have just started this game.  He is at home, I am at work.  Does anybody have anything on this?????

Thank you

Posted Today 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
Firecracker,

Sorry to hear about the report. Positive lymphnodes means the cancer did extend beyond the prostate capsule. Next step will be to meet with the doctor, I would reccommend also finding an oncologist who specializes in prostate cancer (something we didn't do soon enough) and then they will give you options for next step treatment options.

I'm sure they will want to see his post-op PSA in a few weeks and go from there.

Where are you located at? I'm sure others on here will chime in and give their insight... wishing you all the best!

You guys are strong... you will get through this!!
Posted Today 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Firecracker - Welcome but sorry you need to be here. I'm a relative newbie compared to the Moderators and other veterans that you'll hear from shortly, but first, don't panic. I suggest a follow-up with the Doc to see what his/her opinion is. Also, the path report has a lot of info that many of us newer people don't understand, so possibly more info would help those here assist more. The real telling is in the follow-up PSA test, which for me was about 6 weeks after my 9/27 robotic surgery. Let's see what the more experienced people here have to say. Take a breath and stay calm :)
Posted Today 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Firecracker77
Stay positive, sounds like you will need to be strong, having positive lymphnodes is not the best post OP news one can have, but it doesn't mean the battle is over. If you include a signature with some more details, like PSA, gleason score, age etc, I'm sure you will get some advice from those with more knowledge on what options are best. Also there is nothing better than doing your own research, there are books and web resources a plenty out there, you have to know the enemy, this is a great place to start.
Good luck
Posted Today 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
Not an expert by any means, but I do know that information is your best friend. Arm yourself with knowledge, and fight this thing. It can be beat. Best of Luck.
Posted Today 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
 

Age 54

PSA was 50

Gleason Score 9

we are in the Iowa City, Iowa Area

thank you, just don't know if this is a death sentance or not

Posted Today 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
While the Gleason and path aren't the best of news, it's certainly not a death sentence. Continue to do your homework and consult with your Doc. You guys can battle this thing and win. Good luck, and please keep us posted.
Posted Today 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
Firecracker -
-this is the time to continue your research as your husband heals from surgery.
-there can be a lot of information overload, so a notepad or journal can be of help to remember things.

-please do keep a positive outlook to this journey - your numbers aren't great but they are not a death sentence ( we all have a death sentence once we are born - it all depends on what we do with the time inbetween that matters)

-do you have a copy of your path report?- it is so easy to get numbers mixed or transposed - do you know what stage he is?
-your first post-op PSA (often at 6-12 weeks) will set the new baseline for his journey with this confusing disease called Prostate Cancer.

-check out the signatures on some of the guys here to see how your numbers compare - even similar numbers can mean different journeys.

-wishing you all the best,
Bronson

p.s. here is the link for the "ladies only" forum - and I bumped up the listing as well...
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1584686
Posted Today 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
Firecracker77, my heart goes out to you. But as others have previously posted, it isn't a death sentence. My father lived for over 15 years after a recurrence of prostate cancer that had spread. Hormone treatment, ED treatment, scar tissue removal from radiation and other treatments allowed him to remain active until the end of his life. He died at age 86 from complications from a fall and hip fracture. The cancer didn't kill him, nor did it keep him from marrying a young chick of 78 after my mom passed away.Trimix does wonders. Arm yourself with the best information and seek out the best oncologist.

In my own exerience, my doctor briefed me before the procedure that even if the cancer had escaped there were still a lot of options to consider. He explained that treatment is not the same as a cure, but in most cases will certainly allow you to retain the best quality of life.

Again, my wishes for the best for you both. God bless. hj
Posted Today 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Firecracker,

I want to recommend a short video by a very well-known medical oncologist specializing in prostate cancer: Dr. Charles Myers. He has been a leading figure in essentially curing prostate cancer that has only spread to a few lymph nodes. Here's the video link:

askdrmyers.wordpress.com/2011/11/23/feraheme-mri-lymph-node-involvement/

I hope it provides some comfort and insight.

Best wishes,

Nellie
Posted Today 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
Firecracker,
Positive lymphnodes indicate the cancer has metastisized. Your next step would be to consult with a medical oncologist that specializes in prostate cancer. You should also pick up the book "Beating Prostate Cancer; Hormone Therapy and Diet" by Dr Charles Snuffy Myers. Hormone therapy is definately in you husband's future and should be administered by a medical oncologist with a speciality in PC. Depending on his stats, radiation to the pelvic area or full body radiation along with Hormone therapy can still result in a cure.
Good luck,
JohnT
Posted Today 10:52 PM (GMT 0)
With the Gleason 9, and the positive lymph nodes, its definitely a more serious situation, but should not be looked upon as a death sentence. We have men here in similar situations that have done well so far. I agree, his next step should be with a good oncologists, especially one well versed with Prostate Cancer. Radiation would be a logical next step, but that is up to him and his medical team.

Good luck, we are here for you.

david in sc
Posted 12/1/2011 4:07 AM (GMT 0)
There is a group of us G9 guys on this board and trust us, today, there is still hope..While radiation may or may not be in your future, I would start looking into it... Hormone therapy is most certainly in your future so start looking at that too. JohnT's advise is good..Find an aggressive radiation oncologist who has access to the latest equipment...The next big moment will be the first post-surgery PSA test results..That will tell a lot...But never give up the fight and never lose hope!
Posted 12/1/2011 9:59 AM (GMT 0)
Firecracker, I wish you and your husband the best as you wait for the PSA results!  There is plenty of support here and feel free to ask questions.  I have always felt that KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!  Good Luck!

Aimzee

Posted 12/1/2011 10:28 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry about the lack of good news.
With cancer, and especially Prostate Cancer it is not just about "Is it spreading?", but about "How fast is it spreading?" and also "What is still in there?"
Key thing is to wait for a post-op PSA test. The post-op pathology has told you about what they remocved, the post-op PSA test will tell you about what is still inside, and that's what matters now. An anxious few days/weeks till you get that result I know, but that PSA test will be a better guide.
Yes there was cancer outside the prostate (as there was in my case), but follow up treatment can often help.

Alf
Posted 12/1/2011 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
I have no useful knowledge to add to any of the above.
I just wanted to say try to stay calm and strong for your man and keep fighting this fight. You’ll both have huge ups and downs during your journey but just keep taking good care of each other.
Sending you a big hug from over the pond.
Susan
x
Posted 12/1/2011 3:10 PM (GMT 0)

firecracker77 said...
 

Age 54

PSA was 50

Gleason Score 9

we are in the Iowa City, Iowa Area

thank you, just don't know if this is a death sentance or not  

I'm also in the Iowa City area. PM me if you'd like to talk..mike                                                                                                                                          

Posted 12/1/2011 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi again,

I live by the Twin Cities, so I've considered going to Mayo, Rochester to get treatment. Up until now, I've relied on Twin City practitioners, although I consult Dr. Mark Scholz in California. I turned to him because I don't feel that my local oncologists and urologists are open-minded enough.

I've learned that Dr. Kwon at Mayo, Rochester MN is working on the C-Choline scan, which is showing promise for being able to spot distant metastases, one of the few places in the U.S. that does this. I have considered consulting with him if my PSA begins to rise after my adjuvant radiation therapy. Mayo is involved in many advanced studies, particularly involving novel gene therapy. Yet, because they do not have medical oncology specialists in prostate cancer, but instead have their urologists perform that role, I have considered them a bit stodgy and perhaps not open to treatments such as intermittent triple hormone blockade.

For what it's worth.

Nellie
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