clanda said...
After 13 days of patiently awaiting the results of my prostate biopsy, I finally received the results today on my 63rd birthday. I'm Gleason 3+3, T1c with 2 cores positive of 12 with 5% and 10% core percentages. My prostate is 32 grams and my current PSA is 1.6. My PSA levels for 11 years have ranged from 1.0 to 1.9 and now to my current 1.6. On DRE my internest found a nodule while my urologist found a hard area. A prostate ultrasound and biopsy followed and here I am.
While I think I'm a candidate for active surveillance, I am interested in the two new genetic tests to guage the aggressiveness of the cancer as my father died of prostate cancer at age 66. Genomic Health's Oncotype DX has been on the market for just a few months and has no published studies. Myriad genetics has Prolaris which has been the subject of 12 published studies and has been on the market about a year.
Does anyone have any experience with either test? Beyond the cost of $3-4,000 which may or may not be covered by insurance, can anyone help me to choose between the two? I am leaning to Prolaris as it does have those 12 published studies. Any thoughts on the subject would be appreciated
Hi,
I'm not familiar with these tests, but I sure wish you the very best.
If you go with AS, be very sure to keep monitoring your PSA. Interesting how your PSA is on the lower side of the normal range for our age group -- and yet you still have what thankfully appears to be a VERY LOW risk type of case.
Be aware also that a biopsy can miss other tumors that might be present, including potentially higher Gleason scores. However, with such a small PSA reading, I would think that your particular biopsy is quite accurate.
You might consider having the original slides sent to a separate lab for an independent analysis if you go with AS.
Good luck!
Chuck
Resident of Highland, Indiana just outside of Chicago, IL.
July 2011 local PSA lab reading 6.41 (from 4.1 in 2009). Mayo Clinic PSA Sept. 2011 was 5.7.
Local urologist DRE revealed significant BPH, but no lumps.
PCa Dx Aug. 2011 at age of 61.
Biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma in 3 of 20 cores (one 5%, two 20%). T2C.
Gleason score 3+3=6.
CT of abdomen, bone scan both negative.
DaVinci prostatectomy 11/1/11 at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN), nerve sparing, age 62.
My surgeon was Dr. Matthew Tollefson, who I highly recommend.
Final pathology shows tumor confined to prostate.
5 lymph nodes, seminal vesicles, extraprostatic soft tissue all negative.
1.0 x 0.6 x 0.6 cm mass involving right posterior inferior,
right posterior apex & left mid posterior prostate.
Right posterior apex margin involved by tumor over a 0.2 cm length, doctor says this is insignificant.
Prostate 98.3 grams, tumor 2 grams. Prostate size 5.0 x 4.7 x 4.5 cm.
Abdominal drain removed the morning after surgery.
Catheter out in 7 days. No incontinence, occasional minor dripping.
Post-op exams 2/13/12, 9/10/12, PSA <0.1. PSA tests now annual.
Semi-firm erections now happening 14 months post-op & VERY slowly getting a bit stronger.