-
Celebratory / reminder tattoo
Hi all So one thing on my mind after all this was to get a small tattoo - something to remind myself of my luck and avoid complacency. Sort of a PCa "Remember thou art mortal". I've done the due diligence and found that tattoos are associated with increased cancer risk. Has anyone else got one / considered this / looked…
-
Not a survivor (yet) but seeking advice
Hi all I've been on PSA surveillance for a year (3.9, 3.3 now 4 with low T) and my GP has arranged an MRI. Asymptomatic apart from needing to pee more at night which is probably age related as much as anything. My GP says I am either fine or caught early but the low T bugs me as that may be a marker for more aggressive…
-
Good read New yorker
Worth the read https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/09/11/cancers-invasion-equation Denis
-
my takeaways from Prostate conference
Here are my thoughts and feelings on the PCRI conference. I attended the PCRI conference for the first time. I was struck by the number of men with advanced disease and pleasantly surprised by the number of men on AS and many with G3+4. The keynote folks had one theme and that is seeking docs with high expertise. Caution…
-
Gleason 8-Reoccuring Pca
Hi guys, Ive been following the forum for a few months now but I didn't post my story as most of you have done. so here it goes. Any comments would be appreciated. Though my cancer was diagnosed in January 2013 , my journey began in January 2010 when I got a call from my older brother who told me he had prostate cancer and…
-
External Condom Catheters for male incontinence
External Condom Catheters for male incontinence Incontinence isa major problem for males after surgery or radiation and I've read almost nothing on the BBs about the use of external condom catheters for incontinence. After becoming incontinent my urologist recommended use of a clamp and external condom catheter to replace…
-
Introduction and questions
Hello and a big thank you to the many knowledgeable and active participants on this board -- I've been lurking for a couple weeks and I have learned a lot from your questions and experiences. Thanks for sharing! I am 50 and live in SW Florida. I was recently diagnosed with PCa (Gleason 3+4=7) and am scheduled for DiVinci…
-
Opinions of difference between Sloan Kettering nomogram and John Hopkins Discovery publication
Gentlemen, Does anyone have a opinion of the vast difference between the predictions of the Sloan Kettering nomogram and the tabulations of the John Hopkins James Buchanan Brady Discovery publication. The Hopkins original article is back in 2005 but reconfirmed in 2015. Question is how can two highly regarded institutions…
-
Confirm MDX - DNA test
I'm a new member here, currently on active surveillance. I thought some folks might be helped by my recent experience with this DNA test. The Confirm MDX test is done on tissue samples from a prostate biopsy that are negative. It yeilds a likelihood that there was cancer nearby the site, even though the biopsy was…
-
Surveillance to delay treatment, decision time?
I have read numerous books, chatted with many online, met with multiple doctors, talked to a few who have gone before me and I am coming to a place of acceptance that I will eventually have treatment. The critical questions that remain are When and How will I know it is time? Active Surveillance’s intent is to watch those…
-
Surgeon experience
I was diagnosed with intermediate risk Prostate Cancer a few weeks ago. Currently trying to decide on treatment, radiation or surgery? PSA 4.31, Clinical T2a, Gleason 4+3=7 The urologist Ive been talking with is young, out of residency only one year. I am getting second surgery opinion and discussing with radiation…
-
clamps
Hey guys, I'm on Lupron and waiting for radiation. Still incontinent and just plain tired of it. Thinking about getting a good clamp. Do any of you have any suggestions on the best clamp to buy? Did you need a prescription for it? Thanks
-
Shocking Post Op Pathology Report
In February I was diagnosed with Gleason 6, 2/12 cores postive one with 5% and one with less than 3% positive for cancer. My RALP was last Thursday. Yesterday was my post-op and the surgeon gave me the report from pathology- * Now Gleason 4+3 * bilateral disease * Pathologic staging pT2c * Right apical margin positive. *…
-
Decisions in Operating Room
Ive decided to go with RP using Davinci as most conservative route. Surgeon is well skilled, using Davinci a couple times a week since 2004. My question, are there decisions the surgeon makes in operating room or is the surgical plan strictly based on biopsy and staging preop? My biopsy showed Gleason score 4+3 in 2 out of…
-
PSA from 6 to 25 over 2 years; shall I have initial biopsy or skip to mp mri?
I just got PSA of 25 last week. My previouis was 2 years ago at about 6 or 7. The Urologist (Bellingham Uralogists in Bellingham, Washington) wants to do standard TRUS biopsy, which I understand is normal for this PSA. The finger test by both my primary and the urologist show now bumps but prostate is enlarged (I am under…
-
Need advise - Gleason score 4+4 = 8 on post operative biopsy
Hi My father was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Age : 76 years ; Physically active sportsman The preoperative biospy report said : Gleason score : 3+4=7 ( both lobes involved) ; 12 out of 12 cores were positive. We went in for robotoc surgery and the final biopsy report post surgery reads: Gleason score : 4+4 = 8 for both…
-
Update - Advanced Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Hello everyone, Recently my neighbor, 59 years old, received this diagnosis. He lives alone. No support system. He does not understand what is happening to him and asked me to step in and help with doctor's visits, managing meds, and generally helping him understand what he is facing. He recently was discharged after at 18…
-
New member with Gleason 4+4
Greetings to everyone. Please allow me to introduce myself as a new member here. I am 70 years old in good health with controlled type II diabetes. I am an active cyclist and ride 20 to 30 miles daily. Last year's physical revealed no lumps on prostate but PSA rose to 6.5. Uro scheduled 6 month PSA in February 2017.…
-
Incontinence
Finished CyberKnife Surgery for Prostate Cancer in January and bladder control seems to be getting worse. Have to go repeatedly and there is often leakage. Am taking .4mg of Tamsulosine (Flomax) which helps with actually going. But it's the lack of control that is bothering me. Received no helpful advice from radiologist…
-
PSA reading of 8.5
I know it may sound weird, but at 68 years old, last Friday was the first PSA test I have ever had it was 8.5 and when I started reading up on prostrate cancer and what a normal PSA reading should be, 4.0 I wonder if there are any survivors out there that can relate to my situation, I go to a urologist today to discuss my…
-
Active Surveillance continues
Diagnosed 3/2009 Medical history on about me page...click my name to the left. 8/17 has PSA 5.7: Free PSA 18 and targeted biopsy.....two cores positive, both 3+3=6....I requested the pathology sent to me, so I am not sure of the number of targeted cores taken. This was part of a fusion biopsy, based on an MRI taken last…
-
MP-MRI in Bellingham/Seattle of Washington State
Folks: I was givign PSA of 25 with prostate cancer in family (father and older brother). Digital showed enlarged (BPH) but no lumps. Urologist here in Bellingham wants a TRUS biopsy before anything else. I am considering to try to have MP-MRI done first so that my initial biopsy would be assisted with the MP-MRI results. I…
-
My cancer, my journey, my learnings at one month!
A month ago, I sat in a urologist’s office, whom I had only one brief meeting with prior, and he said, “we have mixed news… you have cancer.” Not sure I heard too much after that. Unfortunately, my wife was out of town, as we expected it to be nothing. I did hear the Urologist quickly review the options and clearly thought…
-
Bicycling After Biopsy
Folks: I have appt for initial biopsy after PSA of 25. Biopsy is TRUS. What I wonder from you folks who do bicycle; how long should I expect to stay off an upright bicycle? If I cannot ride my upright, could I ride my recumbant bicycle? This is very important to me as my bicycle is my sole form of transportation. I do not…
-
PSA Finally Under 1
Well, 2 years and 9 months following CyberKnife treatment i n Sep 2010 (and widely varying PSA readings since then), my PSA score has finally dropped under 1 at 0.995!!! That's only 5 1000th's under 1 but it's under 1 just the same. Here's a(nother) recap of the history of my PSA readings since I received treatment:…
-
Multiple Opinions Added to the Confusion
Dad is 69 years old. Had urinary retention. PSA 144. Gleason 3 + 4 = 7 on all cores. Bone Scan and MRI all clear. On hormone treatments (just did secon round, PSA down to 17) Last week I traveled from VA to FL to be with my dear father to go gather our second, third, and fourth opinions. If you are newly diagnosed take…
-
Gleason 7 (4+3) Considering surveillance VS radiation
Husband has Gleason 7 4+3, No evidence of tumor on CT although enlarged/hardened on DRE and minimal symptoms. 72 yo Vietnam Vet. Highest PSA 5.84 (slow increase over past 3 years from 2.3) Had hormonne therapy and now PSA .66. Any informed feedback for Not doing radiation? OR, results of radiation. How do you hold that 20…
-
PSA Getting down by Hormone Injection: Requesting Advice from Experienced People
Dear, I am Asaduzzaman Lipton, age 45 years old. In February 2017, I found my PSA Level is 6.83 ng/ml and Gleason’s Grade 3+3=6/10. According to doctor's advice, I was taking hormone injection (Zoladex). Now My PSA Level is 1.37 ng/ml. Am I safe now? Please advise me What should I do? Kind Regards, Assaduzzaman Lipton
-
My dear Dads diagnosis.
I find myself here with great remorse as my Dad (78 years) has been newly diagnosed Adenocarcinoma of prostate - Gleason 9 (4+5) prostate cancer. His Nuclear Medicine Report shows there is extensive large volume intensely PSMA avid disease(SUV max 9.3) localised to almost the entire gland from apex to base with some…
-
Just completed biopsies
Thank you all for your contributions to this site. I have gleaned consdierable information from the first hand experiences I have read here. My story is just begining. Have a family history of prostate cancer with my father undegoing RP and subsequently radiation therapy for Gleason 4+4. I have had some obstructive…