Prostate MRI

It does not mean that prostate cancer is outside the "capsule." It means that the tumor touches the "capsule."



The linear dimensions of the tumor have been determined by measurements of MRI images; length, width and height. A "normal" sized prostate doesn't have prostate cancer (which enlarges it), but a "normal" size depends largely on age. Prostates continue to grow, like ears do, as we age and acquire some of the very natural aging symptoms of BPH. A walnut described the normal size of prostate for a 20-year old. A golf ball describes normal for 40-50 year old. Enlarged prostates in men over 50 will often grow to clementine size, and maybe baseball size at 70+...those large sizes are going to typically show symptoms of urination problems.

Golfball size is about 40 cubic centimeters in volume. Doctors use the following estimation equation to determine prostate volume from image measurements: width x height x length x 0.5, so your volume is about 2x1x1.0.5, or about 1 cubic centimeter. It’s about 1/40th of a typical golfball-sized prostate. Not big.


edit: updated with a better description of size

Post Edited (NKinney) : 11/15/2017 1:08:16 PM (GMT-7)

You really need to post a more complete background and case history in order to receive meaningful peer comments. Many people put these in a "signature" as described elsewhere, but you can just post them in the thread if you'd like.

Nobody chooses PC treatment based only on an MRI. Has a biopsy been done? And if so, what were the results? If it hasn't been done, then it's too early to be talking about treatments.

I will only say this general comment in reply to your last post...risks are higher for tumor recurrence when there is a presence of ECE, and that may influence possible primary treatment choices (specifically surgery versus radiation).

This might be too detailed for you, but...Extracapsular tumor extension means that tumor cells are seen growing in the tissue surrounding the prostate. From a surgical perspective, it is possible to have extracapsular extension with negative (clear) margins if a rim of additional tissue is removed with the prostate gland. However, it is also possible to have extracapsular extension with positive (cancerous) surgical margins. In either case, the risk for tumor recurrence is higher than if the cancer were completely contained within the prostate gland, but the risk is higher when there are both extracapsular extension and positive surgical margins.

Treatment choices are a risk management decision. There are computer models (nomograms) which can help gauge the risks, but more case history information than you have provided is required in order to use them.

Thank you I appreciate all of your replies