New Member-New Diagnosis

Guys, I never intended to, as it were, barge in and start something. That being said, I do appreciate all the information that is coming in, and I'm still and always will be an information junkie. What I don't hear, and I appreciate not hearing it, is something along the lines of, "everybody needs to do what I did because I'm right". I'm hearing a lot of experience, a lot of "here's what I did (or am going to do), and why" And that, gentlemen, is exactly what I need.

Now, some assistance: I requested a copy of my path report, and it came in today's mail. Some assistance in translation please:

12 cores submitted.
(a), (g), and (i), "left base, L Lat Base and L Lat Apex" Prostatic Adenocarcinoma, Gleason score 6 (3+3). 5%, 3%, and 20% of total biopsy lengths respectively. Additionally one sample, L Lat Mid is suspicious and atypical, but not sufficient atypia to establish a definitive diagnosis.

Looking at the diagram, my problem is all on the 'left' side, around the edge.

I see this as good news...in that the percentages aren't high, so I'm good and early. It will certainly be interesting what the second look down at BJC on Friday comes up with.

halbert,

I'm only two months into this but I want to take a stab at it. Some true experts will correct me if necessary.

3 of the 12 samples show cancer, all on the left side. (9 didn't have any cancer).  A Gleason score of 6 is the lowest reportable I believe, and signifies "low risk". Of the three core samples, one - 5% of the core was cancerous, one was only 3% and the last one 20%. All on the left side is good.

Except for the fact that you have prostate cancer, that's about as good a diagnosis as you could hope for I would think. You have a low PSA. You're only 56, but you still might find "Active Survellance" is an acceptable choice for a while.

One thing I liked that my RO said, is they didn't set the radiation to kill all the cells in my prostate, because like you only one side showed cancer. He said some of mine wasn't radiated.