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Posted 9/20/2006 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
 I'm surprized to read about these pathology reports. I thought that if the bone scans and catscans were clear, they would take the prostate out and that would be it. Am i missing something. If I am, sombody let me know. I to want to get my questions in order for my pre-op consultation.

Birdland

Posted 9/20/2006 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
Birdland,

Your pre-operative staging gives physicians a picture of what to expect. It isn't absolute, especially where deep organs are concerned. There is clinical (pre-treatment) staging and pathoogical (post-surgical) staging. There is one more no one ever talks about....restaging. Restaging occurs when there is a recurrence for a few different reasons. Clinical staging dictates how to approach a treatment based on what testing tells us. Post-surgical pathology talks about the naked beast iself and "may" change treatment plans. Treatment "may" change when the pathology is very different from the cliical stage be it better or worse than expected. Your cancer will forever be called by its clinical stage but treated by the results of your pathological stage...if further treatment is warrented that is. Today's testing is far more accurate than ever before....a very good thing to remember!
Posted 9/20/2006 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
swimom,
You are a prostate cancer encyclopedia. You should market yourself :)
Posted 9/20/2006 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
Can't market what I cannot spell...LOL! My editing leaves much to be desired!
Posted 9/20/2006 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
Birdland,

the pathology report that I talk about is for the prostate gland itself. after it was removed from Jeff, it was dissected and tested for cancer cells. the biopsy only takes a small part and does not show the whole picture. we all pray and hope that the pathology report will show that all the cancer was contained in the gland. fortunately, ours (actually, his) was. that's what we mean when we say the margins were clear.

it is interesting how each doctor does different tests. Jeff never had a bone scan, MRI, or anything else besides a biopsy.

best wishes....kat
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