Finally pathology report

Hi All,

Finally got my pathology report today (it took four weeks for them to produce it).

I've included the results to my signature.

Basically, Gleason was upgraded to 7 and extracapsular extension was introduced.

Those are two negatives I've noticed.

I've had a brief conversation with Dr. Lee about the report. He's saying that there is about 85% probability that I'm cancer free.

I'm still trying to interpret extracapsular extension. Anyone else got that?

Mark

Am a little confused over the path report ...

Capsular involvement: Into but not through capsule.

But,

Extracapsular extension: Yes

I'm sure I'm missing something but how can the cancer be into but not through the capsule when there is extracapsular extension? FYI: My husband had an almost identical path report except that his EPE was in the poster and was miniscule according to the surgeon.

Also, just curious whether your Gleason 7 is a 3+4 or 4+3.

Mark, all in all, a good path report. Congratulations on getting through the surgery, and may you continue to heal and be healthy.

I have the same question that Sephie asked. There is a contradiction in the pathology report. In any case, it is good that you have negative margins.

LV-TX said...
... I thought that extracapsular and extraprostatic were one in the same...

Not the same thing.  The prostate capsule is the membrane that surrounds the prostate gland.  As prostate cancer advances, the disease may extend into the capsule (called extraprostatic extension) or beyond (called extracapsular extension).

One is into the capsule, the other is into and beyond the capsule.  If neither conditions exist, then the cancer is fully within the membrane of the capsule.

.

Casey, now I get it! I just checked John's surgical path report and he had extraprostectic extension (not extracapsular extension as noted in my signature). The exact words on the report are "tumor extension into capsule in multiple foci. Solitary focus of extraprostatic tumor extension..." Whew...glad I caught that one, and will correct my signature ASAP! Just goes to show that there's always something to learn with this disease!

Still waiting for the cal back from the doctor on Gleason question.

That's what I've found so far on this link:

http://www.prostate-cancer.org/resource/gloss_g.html

Gleason grade: a widely used method for classifying prostate cancer tissue for the degree of loss of the normal glandular architecture (size, shape and differentiation of glands); a grade from 1–5 is assigned successively to each the two most predominant tissue patterns present in the examined tissue sample and are added together to produce the Gleason score; high numbers indicate poor differentiation and therefore more aggressive cancer.

Gleason score: two Gleason Grade numbers are added together to produce the Gleason Score. The first Gleason Grade number indicates the Gleason Grade of the cancer cells found most commonly within the sample, the second number the second most commonly found grade. For example, a Gleason Score of 4+3=7 means that Gleason Grade 4 is the most commonly found type of cell, Gleason Grade 3 the second most commonly found, producing a total Gleason Score of 7.



Mark

Hi Arnie,

3+4 is what I figured too.

I'm about 90% continent (1 pad per day), but ED is definitely an issue (4 weeks after surgery). I might start increasing the Viagra dosage from
50mg to 100mg. Also, yesterday, when I was in doctor's Lee's office, there was a pump sales guy who's trying to sell me his pump.
If insurance will cover it, I will buy.

Good luck with your 1 year check-up. Keep us informed.

Mark

I"m glad that you seem to have a favorable report. Other than the gleason changing looks ok.

Neal