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User
Posted 20 Aug 2019 at 14:48

Thank you.

User
Posted 20 Aug 2019 at 18:36

Diagnosis shown Gleason 4 + 3 but told I have a 7+ and will need treatment.  Meeting, possibly next Thursday, with consultant and surgeon to see what route I want to take reference treatment. Any suggestions from people treated or still having treatment  ???.

User
Posted 20 Aug 2019 at 20:42

With Gleason 7 treatment will be necessary. That’s what I was told when I was diagnosed.

But that was also due to the fact my cancer was bulging at the edge of the prostate.

Is your cancer completely contained?

The final decision on treatment is personal and reached from the information you are given from the different medical disciplines.

Never an easy choice. Each treatment choice will have side effects and pros and cons. 

I don’t think anyone will recommend one treatment over another.

 

 

Ido4

User
Posted 20 Aug 2019 at 21:04

Yes, contained so something to be happy about. Thanks for your input.   👍

User
Posted 21 Aug 2019 at 07:41
The primary 4 means it needs treating unless you have some other severe co-morbidity.

I would always opt for surgery but your age may nudge you towards Radio therapy.

Best read up on everything and make an informed decision.

User
Posted 21 Aug 2019 at 08:21
If you've not already done so, download the information packs (the "toolkit") from this site. Full of useful information about the various treatment options. If you have any questions about anything, the PCUK nurses (Freephone number at the top of the page) are wonderful.

User
Posted 21 Aug 2019 at 11:23
Had the toolkit sent out straight away in week one. Lots more info given at the hospital yesterday to make my decision on treatment. At the moment I am thinking prostatectomy owing to other bad side effects with other treatments. Time will tell !!
User
Posted 21 Aug 2019 at 19:37

Hi Petewashy

I had a similar result and opted for RP. I am so glad that I did, 12 weeks post op and I am feeling fine apart from the occasional leaks. The thought of weeks and possibly months of other treatment, well, I ruled them out very quickly. Cut the cancer out was my decision, hard at first, but definitely the correct one.

God bless you on your journey 

Peter

User
Posted 24 Aug 2019 at 12:05
Results showed

Right-1/2 random - 4/4 targeted - Gi 4+3 , left 0/6. Psa 17.5 psa density 0.7. Ipss 8/35. Not sure about most of this but told I have a Gleason score of 7+.

User
Posted 24 Aug 2019 at 15:24

So this means they used the mpMRI to take targeted samples from the right side area identified on the MRI, and 4 out of 4 of those were positive. They also took 2 random samples and 1 of those was positive. Left side was all clear.

PSA density is a PSA value corrected for size of your prostate (e.g. larger prostates will produce higher PSA, but that in itself isn't an issue).

IPSS is the score from the IPSS questionnaire you filled in about the state of your waterworks (how often you get up for a pee in the night, how often your pee stops and starts again, etc). It's really aimed at people with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH), but it's useful for Prostate Cancer too, and in addition to what issues you might have, it gets your feeling about if they bother you or not (would you be happy to live the rest of your life like this?).

Did you get a T score too? Probably T2a or T2b?

My guess is you'll be offered prostatectomy or seed brachytherapy, and you'll need to choose which.

User
Posted 24 Aug 2019 at 16:04

Was told possible T2b at dre only. Nothing on results page. Thank you for your input. Additionally, when I see the consultant and surgeon, will they guide me to a treatment or is that down to me ?

Edited by member 25 Aug 2019 at 15:28  | Reason: additional information

User
Posted 02 Sep 2019 at 18:11
Just informed I now have a T3B category and will require a ct and bone scan. Hormone and radiation therapy mentioned at the moment. Specialist nurse shocked that I had not been contacted with an update. I phoned this morning to see what was happening having heard nothing since my diagnosis !.
User
Posted 02 Sep 2019 at 18:20

T3b means it's spread to seminal vesicles, and for this, HT and external beam RT are the usual curative treatments.

For a T3 diagnosis, extra tests are done to make sure there's no further spread, hence the bone scan, and CT scan (I presume the CT scan is to check lymph nodes more thoroughly than can be done on an MRI, and maybe lungs too which don't show up well on an MRI).

Edited by member 02 Sep 2019 at 18:22  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 02 Sep 2019 at 18:58
The HT+RT route is what's recommended when it's felt that surgery has a high probability of not being able to remove all the cancer cells, Pete. The bone scan is entirely routine. Try not to worry about it - it's extremely unlikely to find any spread to your bones.

I'm on the same curative treatment pathway myself. I started HT in August last year, had two months RT six months later in Feb/Mar this year, and am due to remain on HT until August next year. I've no regrets about the treatment. It wasn't too awful and I'm having only mild side-effects from the HT.

If you have any questions about the treatment, I'll be happy to try and help.

Best wishes,

Chris

User
Posted 02 Sep 2019 at 19:07

Thanks for your input. I am just getting my head around the latest information. 

User
Posted 02 Sep 2019 at 19:12
Completely understand. It does take a while to come to terms with this type of diagnosis. One suggestion along that line: if you are finding it tough to deal with mentally (which I definitely did), please do visit your GP and get some medication to help with the anxiety side of things. My GP prescribed me a drug called Sertraline which was a godsend in terms of helping me get through it all.

All the best,

Chris

User
Posted 02 Sep 2019 at 21:49
A great attitude makes such a difference - the value of holidays must never be underestimated in the midst of PCA crap.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 08 Sep 2019 at 09:46
Last part of the jigsaw this morning at pinderfields hospital for a ct scan. Meeting on Thursday, no doubt to tell me all the findings and treatments. Rhodes on Saturday so it will all begin on my return!.
User
Posted 09 Sep 2019 at 18:48

Good news this morning. Specialist nurse phoned to let me know bone scan clear.

User
Posted 09 Sep 2019 at 19:08

That’s a great result Petewashy.

Ido4

 
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