New diagnosis last week

User

Posted 17 Nov 2025 at 14:29

Hello,

I was diagnosed last week.

I took part in a research screening trial for PC, had a PSA blood test but also a cut down MRI that lasted about 15 minutes.

My PSA was 1.3 but something didn't look right on the MRI.

Had a second MRI that lasted about 40 minutes, this confirmed that something was wrong on my prostate then had a biopsy, I don't think they took many samples as they were following what was on the MRI.

Got the results last Monday:

3+4 Gleason

Group grade 2

T2N0MX

Have yet to meet the consultants but been told I should be suitable for

Active Surveillance

Focal Therapy

RALP

Radiotherapy

Although the doctor said I may not want active surveillance due to the cancer being close the seminal vesicles.

Feeling quite stressed about it now and seem to have a lot of things to choose from.

User

Posted 17 Nov 2025 at 15:06

Hello, mate.

I'm sorry that you've had to join us but welcome to the forum.

You are bound to feel anxious when diagnosed with prostate cancer. We all were.

Here's an excellent video by North Central London Cancer Alliance which explains the disease and deals with most treatment options and possible side effects.

https://youtu.be/zYTU94-8pTc?si=1Z29_l8rbTwF6DH

Good luck.👍

Edited by member 17 Nov 2025 at 15:13 | Reason: Add link

User

Posted 31 Dec 2025 at 04:59

It’s completely normal to feel stressed with so many options. You might consider asking your consultant specifically about the risks and benefits of each approach for your tumor’s location and grade, and perhaps seek a second opinion fnf if that helps you feel more confident.

Edited by member 05 Jan 2026 at 07:46 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 31 Dec 2025 at 09:50

Hi, Your 'score' is the same as mine was. Although your PSA level is low.

They have offered you a lot of options and that's a lot to take in. I remember being in a similar position so I let my decisions be lead by the clinical team after a considerable amount of research. People at work lean on my experience every day, and why would I need lean on the experience of the clinical team?

User

Posted 31 Dec 2025 at 10:06

Hi Jim,

The problem is many consultants seem reluctant to direct you to a certain treatment option. They leave you you to make the decision, which has always seem odd to me.

This is why, "What treatment option, do I take?" Is probably the most asked question on the forum.

User

Posted 31 Dec 2025 at 18:22

Because in the long term the main treatments using one of the forms of surgery or radiation have about the same success in eradicating cancer, it often comes down to how averse a man is to a particular form of treatment and different side effects and timing and convenience. Focal treatment is rather different with long term results not yet so clearly defined but with different risks and side effects and more often a need for a repeat procedure. Men are likely to make their choice for a number of reasons, having considered all the pros and cons. However, there are cases where the MDT may feel there is where an option which is medically advantageous in a certain case and will advise a patient accordingly. I think this is all understandable in view of the very different attitude men can have on various treatments.

Barry

User

Posted 01 Jan 2026 at 11:35

Hi Rockybye

Like me (my detail diagnosis was the same as yours, except my PSA level) you are lucky you have been offered a number of options as I was. 15 years ago, when I had my prostatectomy the radiation options were not as well tested as they are now. I was over 10 years older than you when diagnosed. I suffer from Erectile Dysfunction and arousal climacturia. Do I regret my choice? NO. Has the side effect affected our sex life? YES. Are we still having sex? YES. Considering our age, in many ways our sex life is better because, in having to adapt to a different ways of being intimate, our sex life has more variety created by our mutual love of sex and our imagination. Hindsight is, of course, a wonderful thing - we have no regrets - my PSA has remained at <0.003 for the past 15 years; I feel quite confident that I am cured. All I would say to you is that be aware of treatment-bias, some consultants tend to push their approach. Good luck.

'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 01 Jan 2026 at 20:58

The irony seems to be if you have a low Gleeson and well contained lesion and all very treatable , you then have the tricky dilemma of choosing a preferred treatment, but if you have high G and localised advanced, they at least for me, took away any choice and treatment/side effect weighting and just said this is what we will do to it which at least takes away the burden of making any decision about tackling high risk CP and regretting it later.

Edited by member 01 Jan 2026 at 20:59 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 02 Jan 2026 at 23:02

I was in the same situation as Patrick, i.e. just one option. I think I preferred it that way.

Dave

Notification

Join the online community now.