T3a 17 months ago. So far so good ...

User

Posted 01 Nov 2025 at 19:58

Hi, it's probably true that many contributors ask questions when they, or a loved one, get a PCa diagnosis, but then if their subsequent treatment is successful they stop contributing. If problems continue, contributors probably hang around here for much longer getting advice and support.

So, knowing full well that I'm not out of the woods after my T3a diagnosis last summer, I thought I'd add a note of encouragement to those whose cancer has escaped their prostate - not so far as to go to T3b - but not safely contained within the capsule.

When I received the T3a histology, post prostatectomy, it was a blow, especially as I had been assured by the NHS that the cancer was safely contained. I was lucky to have negative margins, but I was told it was very close and there was a perineural invasion. My chance of having future salvage treatment was given, then, at 1 in 3. I have not bothered with getting a new estimate, which would be better now, as I'm trying to move on. The moving on, in part, is why I don't visit here that often, which I recognise is not helpful to others. For instance, searching for, say, T3a, does not show many patients who are now in remission or "cured".

I'm starting to consider I'm in remission. Obviously not cured, but I've moved on. ED is an issue, but I'm now 67 and there are more important things in my life. Incontinence is not perfect, but perfectly manageable. And for me, my long term running (majority of adulthood) has not suffered. I've given up alcohol. I eat as little processed foods as I can, and consume only a little red meat. Apparently these restrictions are beneficial. Who knows?

I hope this might help somebody out there who's been shocked and worried that their cancer has escaped and their T3a means they in for a life of medication and treatments - be hopeful, it might not be the case.

I now tell myself I'm fixed. Something else, other than PCa, will kill me. Only very occasionally do the dark thoughts resurface. If it does come back I will have to deal with it, but medicine will be more advanced which should help.

Good luck ...

User

Posted 01 Nov 2025 at 23:10

Hi, Barry.

Thanks for the update, mate. It's great news that your PSA is still undetectable. Long may it continue.

Thirty three months ago, I had RARP. I was T3a, and Gleason 9 (4+5) with negative margins. Since then my PSA has also been undetectable. However, after almost three years, I still fear recurrence.

User

Posted 02 Nov 2025 at 07:30

Hi Barry

Glad to hear that you are progressing well .I like you was initially diagnosed T3a Gleason 4/4 (8),following surgery in Jan 2025 I was revised to Gleason 3/4 (7) with cribiform,fortunately no breach of the prostate.I decided to adopt a "healthier" lifestyle ,stopped drinking alcohol,avoid processed foods ,cut down on red meat and avoid refined sugar.I have lost 10 kg and feel really good.I am now fully continent but as dead as a DODO downstairs ,however I have developed a good relationship with my Vacuum pump 👍I discovered this site recently after surgery and use it regularly.I have found it really useful ,providing practical advise but also giving me positive mental benefits.There are some really good news posts on here as well as the not so positive,but I find sharing positive and negative aspects of my own Prostate journey a great help,to myself and hopefully to others .None of us can predict the future ,all we can do ,is in our own way stay as positive as possible and get on with Living.Thanks for sharing your positive progress with us .Onwards and Upwards (Albeit with the help of my pump😁😁)

User

Posted 02 Nov 2025 at 08:03

Don't fall for the red meat gives you prostate cancer line, I was vegetarian for 25 years prior to my diagnosis! More important to improve your metabolic health with all cancers and meat is key to doing that.

T3A is statistically almost identical to T2 in terms of outcomes so don't stress about that. Use the nomograms located here:
https://www.mskcc.org/nomograms/prostate

If you want to confirm actual risk based on thousands of cases.

User

Posted 02 Nov 2025 at 09:19

Just to add to what francij1 has said, here is a link (which I have posted on another thread) to a report of a large scale long term study on the impact of diet and lifestyle on prostate cancer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UBHmXVYz-k

It backs up what francij1 suggestes in terms of the risk of getting prostate cancer in the first place - there seems to be no association with diet/lifestyle.

But it finds a dramatic association between diet (including eating processed meat) and the probability of death from prostate cancer and this is what would be most relevant to you.

I'm always a bit cautious about studies like this because it is a very difficult area to research but these results do seem quite strong, although of course, even if true, they do not provide any guarantees in any individual case. We are always talking about reducing risks and probabilities rather than providing certainties.

User

Posted 02 Nov 2025 at 09:29

Hi Barry

I was graded T3a G4+3 with clear margins after my RALP in Nov 2021 when my surgeon declared that I was cured. 'All gone' he said. Last year my PSA rose to 0.2 and I underwent 33 sessions of salvage radiotherapy to my prostate bed and pelvic lymph nodes. . I too had been hoping that I was out of the woods. I have recently completed 12 months Decapeptyl and now hope for the best. I haven't eaten meat for many years and have always kept very fit and so I discount those factors as being indicators of increased risk of contracting PCa although fitness obviously helps through treatment and aftercare. It is still early days for you and I really hope that you will not suffer a recurrence but keep those fingers crossed for a while.

Peter

User

Posted 02 Nov 2025 at 11:41

I understand and sympathise with your anxiety about the cancer returning following treatments. I am in my 15th year since my 'successful' prostatectomy and the thought that the cancer may return never leaves me but every year that passes I think less and less about it - anxiety is a terrible companion.

Edited by member 02 Nov 2025 at 12:07 | Reason: Not specified

'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 02 Nov 2025 at 12:22

HI KS25

I agree with your observation on these research studies. It is very difficult for an individual to assess his own chances of getting prostate cancer and or survival rate. I am a Uganda-Indian (racially lowest rate of prostate cancer) who was a strict vegetarian until the age 18 when I came to this country, have eaten very little red meat (diet is mostly chicken and fish), no prostate cancer in the family (five brothers, father, uncles, 4 cousins), fit and healthy. I was diagnosed 15 years ago and fortunately have survived, so far, following prostatectomy. I guess it is the exception that proves the 'rule'.

'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 02 Nov 2025 at 12:30

As the OP says, people who are cured don't hang around on the forum, so it becomes biased towards bad news. Well I keep posting to reverse that bias. Diagnosed and treated (HDR brachy) in 2018. All subsequent PSA 0.2 or below. I am perfectly aware the cancer could return at any time, but I wouldn't say it is a fear, I just view it as a bridge to cross if I get there.

As for healthy diets and abstinence, forget that. I describe myself as a hedonist, though most people would say I'm just a boring old fart like every other 60 year old. I have never deliberately chosen to do something because it is healthy. I only choose to do things if I will find them enjoyable. Some of those things may coincidentally be healthy. My view is that I'm only on the planet for a short amount of time. I may as well enjoy that time as much as possible; rather than live an ascetic lifestyle and live a bit longer, and then die probably from a recurrence of prostate cancer.

Dave

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