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User
Posted 24 May 2025 at 10:00

Hi like to introduce myself. 
I’m 63 and was given my diagnosis this week T2 , Gleason 4+3. Have a lot of literature to read through and my Oncology nurse went through a lot of information. 
It seems pretty daunting right now with what decisions to take AS or radical prostatectomy. 
it is fantastic to have this forum to follow and discuss with other people. 

User
Posted 25 May 2025 at 16:01

Hi Martin,

Yes, it’s a nightmare. We’ve all been drawn with the toast landing butter side down cards. But I consider myself extremely lucky that I caught it and got diagnosed. It was just one phone call and visit to the doctor. I could so easily have ignored my symptoms, I dread to think what the outcome could have been.

There are plenty of interesting chats and people profile’s on here to help you through this.

All the best

Spongebob

User
Posted 24 May 2025 at 14:33
Hi Martin.

I'm a noob here also but I've picked up a lot of useful info.

Only you can know what the right decision is for yourself but I went with the RARP solution and have no regrets.

User
Posted 24 May 2025 at 14:49

Hi Martin.

I'm sorry that you've got prostate problems but I'm glad that you've found us. Welcome to the forum.

What's your PSA, mate?

Your consultant knows far more than me, but I would be more reluctant to opt for AS on Gleason 7 (4+3) than I would Gleason 7(3+4)

I know how upsetting it is to be told you have prostate cancer but usually there is no rush to make further treatment decisions.

Good luck, mate. 👍

 

User
Posted 25 May 2025 at 10:11

Hi again, mate.

If your on active surveillance, it's more likely to Gleason 7(3+4), which in the grand scheme of things isn't too bad. Your PSA is reasonable as well.

I know that you're probably sick of people telling you not to worry, but it is sound advice. It took me too long to realise that worrying only spoils today, and does nothing to change tomorrow.

You'll be OK mate.👍

User
Posted 26 May 2025 at 17:26

Hi Martin, sorry you find yourself here. I was also 3+4 Gleason 7. T2a PSA 8.2. I remember how you feel. So much to take in and that word 'Cancer' feels like a death sentence. If you have any questions and you are not getting good answers from your own medical team then the PCa nurses on here are brilliant. Have you had a nurse assigned to you by your practitioners? I found mine to be very helpful, although responses could take 24hrs.

User
Posted 26 May 2025 at 18:52

Hi Martin,

I was offered AS after a template biopsy, Surgery or Radiotherapy 8yrs ago.  At the time my diagnosis was 4+3, T2/T3a(?), lesion size 13mm.  After the op it was found to be 4+4 T2a.  What tilted my decision for action was that it was said to be near the edge of the prostate.

I'll never know if surgery was the best option but it did give me a fast solution and a definite answer i.e. psa<0.05 or undetectable.   Although 5yrs later it became 0.06 detectable and after 8yrs it's 0.12, an amazingly slow rise and an offer of RT without a scan or wait another three years at current trends and hope a scan will see it.

After I chose treatment 8yrs ago the consultant said they offer AS so they aren't thought to be over treating.  In your case it might be alright for a short while, with your psa and rise being a judge.  Although as said above the location of the lesion might be a factor.  All the best, Peter

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User
Posted 24 May 2025 at 14:33
Hi Martin.

I'm a noob here also but I've picked up a lot of useful info.

Only you can know what the right decision is for yourself but I went with the RARP solution and have no regrets.

User
Posted 24 May 2025 at 14:49

Hi Martin.

I'm sorry that you've got prostate problems but I'm glad that you've found us. Welcome to the forum.

What's your PSA, mate?

Your consultant knows far more than me, but I would be more reluctant to opt for AS on Gleason 7 (4+3) than I would Gleason 7(3+4)

I know how upsetting it is to be told you have prostate cancer but usually there is no rush to make further treatment decisions.

Good luck, mate. 👍

 

User
Posted 25 May 2025 at 09:57

Hi. Thank you

to be honest I am not sure now if it’s 3+4 or 4+3, so much to take in I need to cy

my psa before mri and biopsies was 6.4. AS for now 

User
Posted 25 May 2025 at 10:11

Hi again, mate.

If your on active surveillance, it's more likely to Gleason 7(3+4), which in the grand scheme of things isn't too bad. Your PSA is reasonable as well.

I know that you're probably sick of people telling you not to worry, but it is sound advice. It took me too long to realise that worrying only spoils today, and does nothing to change tomorrow.

You'll be OK mate.👍

User
Posted 25 May 2025 at 16:01

Hi Martin,

Yes, it’s a nightmare. We’ve all been drawn with the toast landing butter side down cards. But I consider myself extremely lucky that I caught it and got diagnosed. It was just one phone call and visit to the doctor. I could so easily have ignored my symptoms, I dread to think what the outcome could have been.

There are plenty of interesting chats and people profile’s on here to help you through this.

All the best

Spongebob

User
Posted 25 May 2025 at 19:40

Hi Martin

I was 3+4 and my consultant advised me to have treatment rather than AS which I did. That was 14 years ago and it was the best decision I made. However you need more information. Have you not had an MRI investigation? My MRI showed that the negative margin around my prostate was not big enough to risk AS. Unfortunately at present the various indicators the consultants have are estimates with subjective observations, for example the biopsy result, so it is difficult to be able to have a definite choice. Get as much advice as you can before you decide.

 'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.'                    Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate

 

 

User
Posted 26 May 2025 at 17:26

Hi Martin, sorry you find yourself here. I was also 3+4 Gleason 7. T2a PSA 8.2. I remember how you feel. So much to take in and that word 'Cancer' feels like a death sentence. If you have any questions and you are not getting good answers from your own medical team then the PCa nurses on here are brilliant. Have you had a nurse assigned to you by your practitioners? I found mine to be very helpful, although responses could take 24hrs.

User
Posted 26 May 2025 at 18:52

Hi Martin,

I was offered AS after a template biopsy, Surgery or Radiotherapy 8yrs ago.  At the time my diagnosis was 4+3, T2/T3a(?), lesion size 13mm.  After the op it was found to be 4+4 T2a.  What tilted my decision for action was that it was said to be near the edge of the prostate.

I'll never know if surgery was the best option but it did give me a fast solution and a definite answer i.e. psa<0.05 or undetectable.   Although 5yrs later it became 0.06 detectable and after 8yrs it's 0.12, an amazingly slow rise and an offer of RT without a scan or wait another three years at current trends and hope a scan will see it.

After I chose treatment 8yrs ago the consultant said they offer AS so they aren't thought to be over treating.  In your case it might be alright for a short while, with your psa and rise being a judge.  Although as said above the location of the lesion might be a factor.  All the best, Peter

 
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