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Treatments after surgery - advice needed

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User
Posted 13 Dec 2019 at 10:57

Hi all

Two weeks ago I had robotic surgery to remove the prostate. On biopsy, the prostate had been Gleason score 7 (4+3) but when it was removed it was found to be Gleason score 9 (4+5). But it was negative at the margins and the surgeon told me the cancer did not breach the "capsule" of the prostate. 

However, the surgeon did tell me that because it was high-grade cancer, this slightly increases the probability that I may require further treatment at some point down the road. This is a bit upsetting for me as I guess I thought I had "beaten" it. I have to go back to the specialist in 6 weeks' time with my PSA result and I am so nervous. I will have to do regular PSA checks which will nerve-wracking.

Any advice or help you can offer regarding what treatments I may need would be greatly appreciated!

User
Posted 13 Dec 2019 at 13:40
Everyone gets nervous about PSA tests, but they do become a normal part of life. If the cancer were found to have returned, the normal treatment would be hormone therapy and radiotherapy. But don't anticipate the worst! It's VERY common for Gleason scores to the upgraded following surgery.

Best wishes,

Chris

User
Posted 13 Dec 2019 at 17:38
Even if you had been downgraded from G7 to G6 you would still have needed PSA tests for the rest of your life.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 13 Dec 2019 at 17:49

Thanks for your help Chris, I'm such a bag of nerves these past days, I'm sure things will get better for me soon.

User
Posted 13 Dec 2019 at 17:50

Thanks Lyn, I'm sure I will get used to doing them as routine.

User
Posted 13 Dec 2019 at 19:57

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Thanks for your help Chris, I'm such a bag of nerves these past days, I'm sure things will get better for me soon.

It's entirely understandable. Being diagnosed with and treated for prostate cancer is a very traumatic experience, and it took me a long time - many months - to come to terms with it .

Best wishes,

Chris

User
Posted 14 Dec 2019 at 10:18

Hi Liverpool49,

I'd try and put the possibility of further treatment to the back of your mind as best you can - it may never be needed. 

I was upgraded from a 7(3+4) T1b, to a 7(4+3) T1c with a Tertiary 5.  6 years later, I still get my PSA checked and luckily it is still undetectable.  That's not to say I don't get a little anxious when the PSA appointment comes around! 

Flexi

 

 

 
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