HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Returned from consultation with urologist.

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/4/2012 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
We went to see my husbands urolgogist today to get the results from his patholgoy report. I think it was favorable all things considered for any treatment.

Age 64

Left base showed possibly pre-cancer the others, no abnormal cells

right base no abnormal cells

right mid, gleason 6 3+3,one of 3 cores involved, tumor involvement 8%

right apex gleason 6 3+3,two of 3 cores involved, tumor involvement 10%

Stage T1c. Although he felt something on the exam it was not a nodule so he said it could be interpreted as T2a but he didn't do that.

I was expecting a big endorsement for surgery but he just explained all the options to us. Said we could do AS, Robotic surgery, several options on radiation and gave us a referral for a radiologist.

He was very forthcoming on side effects of surgery and said ED probably about 50% with surgery of varying degrees had a lot to do with function prior to. Urinary he said 90% get most return after 6 mo to a year. This is the one I am not sure of how accurate that is.

Good thing is he felt there was no problem doing AS until we get medicare in place. That releaves quite a bit of stress.

Thanks for all your help in preparing us for this, plus what an eduction we got concerning PC. Telling our neighbors and friends as most are a bit younger.

Posted 9/4/2012 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
Over all not a horrible report. Now your problem is deciding what to do. You'll want to talk with a radiation oncologist at least and maybe get a second Uro opinion before you decide.

Surgery might be a good option but with this report so would radiation (beam or seeds). AS is a reasonable option for you. With the numbers you've got you could go awhile before 'needing' to do anything. Just remember the 'active' part. Get the regular PSA tests and act when needed.

Let us know what you decide to do or if you have questions about your treatment options.

All the best,
Andrew
Posted 9/5/2012 12:40 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like your husband has some good numbers to work with. You do have some time on your side to investigate your options.

Looking at my signature, you can see I elected to have DaVinci surgery. I figured I could deal with the side affects for a year or two and hopefully be done with the cancer. Everything is tolerable, ED, incontinence, etc. Compared with what women go through in a life time, this stuff is easy. Not fun but easy. It has only been 7 weeks ago for me.

Good luck, I will be watching your post in the future.

Bill
Posted 9/5/2012 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
Finnman, that is an excellent report indeed.  It appears you have both time and options.  I would suggest you continue to get educated re PCa and would suggest Walsh's "Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer", Sturm's "Primer..." and Scholz "Invasion of the Prostate Snatchers.  Collectively these books should provide some good information for your background.  Additionally I would recommend that you follow thru with the radiation oncologist visit as your husband's stats look appropriate for seeds should he be so inclined.  Active Surveillance might even be good for a longer period of time; ask your urologist if he is experienced in dealing with AS patients and, if not, seek out someone who is.  Finally, you might consider getting a second opinion on the biopsy pathology from an expert such and Bostwick, Epstein or Oppenheimer so you have some assurance that the report is as good as it first reads.

Good luck.

Jim

Posted 9/5/2012 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
Pretty much as good as it gets. Sounds like it was a good meeting and your doctor gave it to you straight.

Looks like you are doing the right things....considering all your options. Take or make the time to see different types of doctors. Be sure to start a journal and take notes in so you have everything in one place. Be sure to get copies of all your lab work and tests that you have done.

Good luck to you.
Posted 9/5/2012 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like you have a good Uro who covered all your options. So many are surgeons and the first thing they want to do is push RP on their PC patients. Not having any more aggressive G7 or higher cancer does give you time to cover all treatments and probably wait until your Medicare kicks in next year. That's the positive stuff. Now the one negative the only way to know for sure if the G6 is not grading any higher than the  Biopsy report would be a post surgery pathology report. If the URO felt something on the DRE for me that might be more concerning. Good luck on your journey.

Terry

Posted 9/5/2012 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry you have to be here. That said, you are off to a great start and have already received some good advice above. You have adequate time to educate yourselves before making a treatment decision.

And kudos to your uro for giving you all your options and not trying to push you immediately into surgery.

You will find a lot of help and support here on HW. Regards,

Joe
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply