50; New Member and starting the journey

I turned 50 this year (04/11) and was delivered the present that no one wants.  I had my biopsy this month and was diagnosed with PCa with GS 6 (3 + 3), 9 of 12 cores positive, ranging from 5% to 40% in both lobes, no PNI seen, latest PSA 4.2.  I'm waiting for DaVinci surgery in August.  I was presented with the different options for treatment, but for someone my age and with the biopsy results, surgery was suggested as the best treatment (both short-term and long-term).  No scheduled bone scans, etc. as the Uro stated that it was less than 1% that the PCa has spread and most likely would not learn anything from them.  Although I'm satisfied with my doctors, I wonder if I should get a second opinion. 

I'm thankful that a friendly cardiologist convinced me to start taking Crestor for my cholesterol a few years back that required six month blood screens for liver enzymes that included a PSA test.  Trying to stay positive and learn as much as possible without it fully consuming my everyday life, however, the mind does wander (like with every ache, soreness or pain).  Committed to beating back this 50th birthday present and returning it.

I'm glad I found this site!!!!  It looks like my signature information has not yet taken when previewing the post but I think that I have given most of the known stats above.  Too new to the site, I guess.

Welcome BD,

Although I didn't want to be a member of this prestigious club, I too found myself here.

Your stats are not that far off from mine and it appears you have embarked on a similar journey to my own.  I was diagnosed in April and had my RALP on June 9th. 

Although a second opinion on the biopsy is always wise, just be careful you don't fall into the trap of "information overload / analysis paralysis."  It was one of my short-comings that made waiting for the surgery quite difficult.  It sounds like you've already made your decision as to your treatment.  Learn all you can about pre-op and post-op care and you'll get through it just fine.

And you've found the best place on the 'net to ask for guidance and support.  There's a lot of great and experienced people here who are only too willing to share their experiences and help you along the way.

Welcome to the Forum,

Not pleasant to get such news at the same time as having the 50 milestone, (I too has a bad PSA result when I'd only gone to the doc for a check-up to get my cholesterol/sugar etc checked!)

People our age are meant to have loads more years ahead, and this is a reason many uro's suggest surgery in preference to other treatments. (That said, my first uro was also worried that the likelyhood of ED and incontinence would not be good for my quality of life)
One thought is that if it comes back further down the road you still have the otpion of Radiotherapy available whereas if you have RT first then surgery is not usuablly possible at a later date. But many here seem to have been getting good results from a combination of interal seeds and external RT.

I did not really choose to get a second opinion it was simply that my first uro did not do the Da Vinci surgery so I switched to one that did, and he checked over everything too. I think a second opinion can be wise, but rushing about getting multiple opinions is not such a good idea as it can cause information overload. (And I'm just an amateur expressing a non-expert opinion)

Good luck with your journey.

Alf

Hi BD

My husband got diagnosed at 52. Not something you really expect is it?

Best tip I can give is to read read read. Patrick Walsh's book is a great start. Another tip is to get a second opinion on your pathology results from specialist labs such as Bostwick or Epstein. An early lesson for us was that the hospital pathologist who did the first report got it wrong. Reading prostate biopsies is almost an art, you need someone who as seen thousands of biopsies evaluating your slides. Arranging this is actually quite simple. The one reason I would do this in your specific case is to rule out the presence of Gleason 7 cancer - which is a completely different kettle of fish to Gleason 6. You want as much info as you can before surgery as it is a one shot deal.

Regards,
An
Nb: your doctor is right not doing a bone scan for a Gleason 6 case.

Thank you all for your thoughts and words. The first time I read the posts, I must say that I got a little misty eyed. I found it real encouraging that so many people would take their precious time to view and/or post a reply. I wasn't sure what to expect. I'm sure glad I took the initiative to post. I look forward to being a forum contributor as I progress on my journey. Patiently and anxiously waiting for August.

BDCyclist said...
I turned 50 this year (04/11) and was delivered the present that no one wants. I had my biopsy this month and was diagnosed with PCa with GS 6 (3 + 3), 9 of 12 cores positive, ranging from 5% to 40% in both lobes, no PNI seen, latest PSA 4.2. I'm waiting for DaVinci surgery in August. I was presented with the different options for treatment, but for someone my age and with the biopsy results, surgery was suggested as the best treatment (both short-term and long-term). No scheduled bone scans, etc. as the Uro stated that it was less than 1% that the PCa has spread and most likely would not learn anything from them. Although I'm satisfied with my doctors, I wonder if I should get a second opinion.



I'm thankful that a friendly cardiologist convinced me to start taking Crestor for my cholesterol a few years back that required six month blood screens for liver enzymes that included a PSA test. Trying to stay positive and learn as much as possible without it fully consuming my everyday life, however, the mind does wander (like with every ache, soreness or pain). Committed to beating back this 50th birthday present and returning it.



I'm glad I found this site!!!! It looks like my signature information has not yet taken when previewing the post but I think that I have given most of the known stats above. Too new to the site, I guess.

prostateimplant.com/top_3

BDC, here I am, 4 months post-op (DaVinci as well), and my only reminder of my surgery is six small purple scars. Nothing hurts, no leaking, ED almost a non-issue (but I have nobody to use it on , alas).

This procedure, done by an expert, is nothing to be afraid of. As I fired my first uro, you too must be certain that you are in the best of hands. Experience counts.

If you track through this disease is like mine, around November, your visits here will diminish, as you will both feel and be better. Sadly, the guys who linger here for years are those whose disease has progressed. For us fortunate (post) G6 guys, that rarely happens.

Good luck!

Dave

I was the same age as you when I started in on this. It was just a year ago that I went in for a routine physical and found an elevated PSA. It was a very stressful 6 months going through the various tests then waiting for the surgery, but I'm on the other side and feeling great. I'm feeling better and have more energy than I have in years. Good luck with your recovery!

BDCyclist said...
Thank you all for the valuable information and encouragement. Most of you talk about experienced uro or surgeons. Other than asking the doctors themselves, is there a way to get information from another source?

You have to ask to get the info. Be sure the doc was first proficient in the open RP procedure. Ask how long and how many robotics he's done. If that number is under 250, find someone who's done more.

Know that many urologists do surgical procedures other than robotic RP's. The number could be low because they may specialize in something else. Doc's today are used to patients being direct and frank in the questioning of their skills and experience. Don't be shy. Your future is at stake.