New member with lots of questions

Sorry I can't give a definitive answer to your questions but perhaps can help somewhat.
The Gleason score denotes how far from normal cells the cancerous cells have become. It comprises two numbers which are added together to give a combined figure. The lowest number now classified as cancer in the UK is three and the maximum which denotes greatest deviation is 5. Therefore, the lowest possible Gleason is 3+3 =6 with the highest 5+5=10. The cancer cells that are more numerous are given first and the lesser number second. This means that for example a 4+3=7 has a greater number of more advanced cancer cells than a 3+4=7.

The treatment you are having, HT and chemo is more systemic and appropriate to men with advanced cancer and mets such as you. The chemo and HT are to shrink the tumours and restrain progression . This usually results in a considerable drop in PSA until such time as cancer cells find a way of managing without Testosterone or making it's own. Other systemic treatments may then become necessary. There are different kinds of Prostate Cancer and cancer cells can mutate and advance differently in men. How well your cancer is being restrained by treatment will primarily be assessed by monitoring your PSA and quite possibly your testosterone level or may respond if there are other indications that give rise for further concern as PSA is not in itself an absolute indicator of PCa advance.

Edited by member 22 Jan 2018 at 00:12  | Reason: Not specified

Nellie, you've had rotten luck. There are bigger PSA scores on here but not many. Your treatment is working, so hang in there. The combination of chemo and HT with luck will get your number down to single figures and you will look at life in a more positive light. The main advice I'd give is to get fit, no surplus pounds and maintain that healthy weight (hard to counter the lethargic effect of the HT, but it is doable), adopt a balanced diet ( what's good for your heart will help you fight the PCa)and go at life with a positive attitude.

As to the effects on your prostate, the cells killed off by the treatment will eventually be reabsorbed harmlessly by your body and expelled like any other dead tissue. If you're peeing too often, as the prostate is reduced in size by the treatment you should find this problem eases a lot. Eventually, your prostate will look more like a normal one, when scanned. It is probably mis-shapen and a bit leathery in places now, but this will change.

The Gleason score derives from tissue samples in the biopsy you had. You probably won't have another unless surgery is required at some future date, rather unlikely, I guess. So the Gleason Score is a measure of the aggressiveness of your PCa. In your case the number is not a big one. Mine was 4+5=9, for example. The surviving PCa, after I had my prostate and bladder out after five years showed a Gleason Score of 4+4=8, so it can change; it may vary through the tumour, I suppose.

Good Luck and remember the power of positive thinking!

AC