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48 just found out I have cancer

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Posted 5/8/2014 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
anyone else out there this young with prostate cancer? have lots of ?? Im 48 3+4=7 gleason psa 3.02
Has anyone went to Dr. Mani Menon?
Posted 5/8/2014 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there, feisty one.

So sorry you find yourself here at such a tender age but glad you found us. Welcome to the forum.

If you are looking to set a record for our youngest guy you've missed your mark. But you are youngish.

So, tell us a bit more about your cancer. You are a Gleason 7(3+4). Depending on the number of cores that were positive that makes you either low or low intermediate risk. Do you know how many cores? Do you know which ones? If you have a copy of your biopsy report it will have words like "apex" and "base" and "lateral" in the section I am talking about.

If you look about an inch from the top of the page on the right side there is a search button. If you type Dr Menon's name into the box and click "search" you will see that people have been saying good things about him for a long time on this forum. We probably have currently active members who can provide first hand experience. I cannot.

And, again, welcome.
Posted 5/8/2014 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
Feisty,
Welcome. You've landed in a good place. There are some guys that I've seen around here that are near your age, so it's not impossible. What ever course you take with this, good luck.
Posted 5/8/2014 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
I was 48 when diagnosed with cancer. I assume I had it sooner but thought that my PSA was under 4, I was fine. My biopsy showed a Gleason of 3 + 4 but final after surgery was 4 + 4. There are many people here that can help answer your questions.
Posted 5/8/2014 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Feisty. I was 43 at diagnosis. Gleason 3+4 (both at biopsy and after surgery). My PSA was higher than yours at diagnosis.

I'm doing fine now.

There are lots of knowledgeable people here to help.

Best wishes!
Posted 5/8/2014 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Feisty,

Don't panic...I was 45 at Dx with G7 (3+4), and PSA of 3.8. Elected to have brachytherapy after doing much research, and am doing fine now. My last PSA in Feb was .20, so it's working like it should. Do you're homework and research, research, research ! Don't settle on the 1st thing your urologists suggests (which will be surgery). That's fine, if that's what you want....I didn't. Any questions, just ask.
Posted 5/8/2014 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
hey feisty,

Don't panic..this is the place for all your questions (along with capable doctors you trust).
Didn't have Mani Menon at Henry Ford but one of his colleagues, James Peabody. Only good things to say about HF and Dr. Peabody.

wampuscats
Posted 5/8/2014 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
Feisty:

Sorry you have to be here.

When I was dx., I did a LOT of research and chose Dr. Menon.

Lots of reasons. One reason: many of the expert surgeons stated on their web-site that they "trained under Dr. Menon." So, why not get HIM! Also, he practices in my State, Michigan.

I ended up narrowing it down to two surgeons. One (Dr. Woods) was at Umich and the other was at Ford. I had a lengthy conversation with each of them. I would have been satisfied with either one, but I chose Menon and his team.

Feel free to email me. I can call you or you can call me if you would like to chat.

Mel

Posted 5/8/2014 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
I was 40 with your same stats.

I looked up Menon when i got sick, he's very good with a proven track record.

You'll be fine, try not to let it consume you as it did me in the early days
Posted 5/9/2014 12:36 AM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed at 44. Had da Vinci March 31st of this year. Lucky to catch it at 44 I had no symptoms. It happens to 40+ year olds to brother. I am an avid runner and think that had helped me in my recovery. Let me know if you have any questions.

PSA 4.4
31March2014 Robotic surgery
Pathology post op
3+4=7
T2c
Clear margins, clear lymph nodes
Less than 5% involved
Posted 5/9/2014 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Feisty
I was 48 when I was diagnosed 7 months ago, PSA 14.7 and G6, time to get educated and create a plan of action. This place is a great resource and the folks here have helped me with my journey. Lean on us, we are here to support you

Pat
Posted 5/9/2014 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
Feisty
You're not alone. Welcome to the forum.
Plenty of 40ish and early 50ish guys here.
I was diagnosed at 46.
Good luck on your journey. This thing can be more of a marathon than a sprint, but you can do it.
Best,
Posted 5/9/2014 4:16 AM (GMT 0)
I was 43 when diagnosed with 3+4=7. My PSA was higher. My surgeon said I wasn't the youngest guy he had seen but I was the youngest in several months. Dr. Menon was booked when I wanted surgery, but Hans Stricker (also at Henry Ford) was recommended by HF staff and he was excellent. I'm still clear three years out. I had almost no side effects, but Dr. Stricker said that was probably due more to my age than surgical skill. Rare to find a humble surgeon.

Not that it should be a factor, but the Henry Ford West Bloomfield facility was great.

When I was diagnosed I went into immediate crisis mode. In my case the anxiety started to let up immediately after the surgery, and now years later it has moved to the background. I wouldn't wish this experience on anyone but it does get better!
Posted 5/9/2014 6:13 AM (GMT 0)
Lucky to catch it at 44 I had no symptoms

tell me about it. there's some people even on this forum who believe testing guys your age causes more harm than good ... if you can believe that.

ed
Posted 5/9/2014 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Fiesty, I am also sorry you had to join our exclusive club.

You will find many brothers here your age and younger. There is no age requirement only a nasty prostate. I am a Gleason 7 also and currently my PSA is undetectable. There are many guys here who have used Dr. Menon. It sounds like he is very good. Prostate cancer is very slow growing so you have time.

Good luck in the coming months. The forum is open 24/7 so if you have a question or need to vent, just log in and someone will be here for you.

Bill from Florida cool
Posted 5/9/2014 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
I had it 2 1/2 years ago at 47. So far so good. My numbers were similar to yours before surgery. Best of luck!
Posted 5/9/2014 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW, sorry you need to be here.

Lot of guys your age here. Good news is that your numbers look very treatable.

Hang in there and keep us updated on your progress.
Andrew
Posted 5/9/2014 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hey feisty, I'll jump right in with my first post in response to your question. I'm 46 and was diagnosed 2 days ago with PC. 4 of the 12 samples in my biopsy were positive, 3 with a 6 and one with a 7 Gleason rating. There were also two samples that were suspect/ASAP. I had a PSA of 4.6.

I stumbled on this site while doing research on the surgeons I'm considering, Dr. Laudone at MSKCC and Dr. Tewari at Mt. Sinai, and saw your post.

This will be my second bout with cancer. The first was 22 years ago with defused large cell rectal lymphoma. My treatment was part of a clinical trial at MSKCC and thankfully I'm here today and ready kick cancer's ass again.

Hang in there buddy you'll get through this just fine.
Posted 5/9/2014 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
Sadly I've came across quite a few of us in our 40s. I'd never even heard of a PSA test. Now I believe they should be testing us.

Even after I was diagnosed with cancer my older brother had a very reluctant doctor when asking for a test.
Posted 5/10/2014 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
I am 48 and was diagnosed late last Summer. I had a nearly stable 2.5 then 2.8 psa a year later. No history no symptoms so to speak except I thought something was wrong. Very strange events... G4+3 in 4

Anyway I saw the best at sloane and upenn. Just got my first post op results at .02. I am beyond pleased with the direction and choices made.

One thing I did was I was very open about it with those I deal with. Really helped when I has surgery. So many true folks proved themselves while I was down. Leaning on people you love is a must.

Its made me look at what friends are and why in a positive way. We all take too much for granted. Reach out if you need and good luck!
Posted 5/10/2014 9:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Just thought I would reply. My husband was tested and biopsied at 48, and we got the results on his 49th birthday. Stats below. He had surgery with good outcomes. With your PSA still relatively low you have lots of choices. As the guys recommend, do some research and get a second opinion. Gleason 7 can be managed in a variety of ways. Once you get the ball rolling with consultations etc, post all your questions here. They will be answered promptly. It's a terrible shock but you've come to the right place. Good luck. Take care.
Posted 5/10/2014 11:43 AM (GMT 0)
At age 48 I had a PSA of over 27, but somehow it hadn't spread anywhere else it seems. After surgery to remove the offending walnut, I've been blessed with an undetectable PSA for over 5 years now. Just goes to show you that in spite of all the research and stats about this darned disease, it can still be unpredictable.

I wish you all the best in your battle with PCa, sorry I had to meet you this way.

Ralph
Posted 5/10/2014 12:04 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum habanero1. I've started a new thread for you so people can say hello properly and can share their experiences with the two excellent surgeons you mention.

Your new thread is here:

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=3075448
Posted 5/11/2014 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
..41 diagnosed. 42 surgery, radiation & HT. 43 now........we will see.............
Posted 5/11/2014 3:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hi fiesty and welcome. I was 48 when diagnosed and I had Dr. Menon do my surgery. It's been just over a year now since surgery and I'm doing fine. Just had my psa tested the other day so waiting for that result. If you have any questions, I would be glad to help you out just shoot me an email. You will learn alot here from these great people, check out some of the links posted by members.

Don
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