Hi all,
My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer in late November after an MRI scan and biopsy. The pca was described as low-grade by the nurse who called us with the diagosis, and it was suggested he should go on active surveillance, with another PSA test to be done in 6 months. At the time we were very relieved after a month of worrying. They also found some lumps in his colon on the MRI scan, so our mind turned from the prostate cancer to that until a recent colonoscopy thankfully gave the all clear on that front. Now our minds are naturally turning back to the prostate cancer and my dad's diagnosis, especially as we've just had a written summary of his diagnosis in the post today.
My dad's report mentions the following:
Preseting PSA 8.8
Summary: 23mL gland, left peripheral zone and anterior
PIRADs 4 lesions
Provisional stage: T2(3a??) N0 M0
Diagnosis: Prostate; 24 core template biopsies:- Prostatic adenocarcinoma in 5 of 24 cores- Gleason 7 (3+4) in 2 of 24 cores, GG2- Gleason 6 (3+3) in 3 of 24 cores, maximum extent 2mm (20% of core), GG1- No PNI or EPE- overall pattern 4 is about 5%
I know folks here won't want to give medical advice and that we should be talking to my dad's hospital about the diagnosis, but I'm really just wanting to know if the advice my dad's been given to go on AS is what people would expect with the above diagnosis? From my very limited understanding, the presence of gleason 7 pca, as well as the fact that my dad's cancer is near the anterior of his prostate (I assume that's the reason for the "t3a??") would usually suggest treatment should be considered. Or I am overinterpreting what is actually a fairly benign diagnosis?
I'd also be interested to know if anyone else had similar results at the point of diagnosis, and how things developed for them?
Personally I'm worried thay my dad has a gleason 7 pca and that's its location on the anterior of his prostate means it's more likely to spread outside the prostate. I'm also worried that the decision to put him on AS is influenced by his age (he's 76, though very fit and active) and the NHS being under pressure. We've not had any consultation with a doctor since his diagnosis, and it tooks a few unanswered phone calls and voice messages just to get a summary of his diagnosis in the post - it's obvious they are swamped at the hospital. And so I don't want my dad to fall through the cracks.
On the other hand, I can tell that my dad wants to put the diagnosis out of his mind, and I don't want to have him worrying unecessarily by pushing him to get a second opinion. I'm half hoping to be told here that I'm myself worrying uncessarily. But the other part of my brain is worrying that the diagnosis is more serious than we're assuming and that we might miss the window of opportunity my dad has for treatment.
Would be really helpful to get the opinion of those on here who have been through a similar diagnosis.
Thanks,