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6 month post prostatectomy/diverticulotomy
I'm new here, so here is a little history. I am 70 years old recovering from a combined prostatectomy and diverticulotomy. I have a fairly complicated history of bladder issues. I have had some incontinence problems for some time. Nine years ago, I had green light prostate surgery which helped my retention some, but not…
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Just When You Thought You Had It Figured Out .... Dropping PSA Level
After having a biopsy in February because my PSA had risn from 3.8 to 4.3 in 18 months the pathologist discovered 1 of 12 cores with adenocarcinoma with 15% involvement. DRE was normal and there were no physical symptoms. Gleason score was evaluated as 3+3=6. Staging was evaluated as T1c. A Bone scan, full blood panel, and…
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choosing the best seed radiation doctor in south east?? a source? not proton
my husband has a current PSA of 5.8 ( had been 6.8) -- and it is contained. 8 needle biopsy.--- from all i have read- surgery seems the last thing we want to do-- thus, current consideration is LDR braachy seeeds - perhaps with HT. the issue is: choosing a dr. whose background is quite open to read about-- where do we go…
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Just beginning this jounrey
Hello All,, Less than 72 hours aafter my diagnosys I am trying to figure this all out. Sorry to all of us that have to deal with this. I have heard a few times now that PC is very treatable and if your going to get "C" then this is not a bad one....What ??? Of course I should just wait until all my scans and appointments…
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New here - need to make treatment decision soon
Hi, I'm new here. Diagonosed about 8 weeks ago with PCa, got second opinion from Dr. Epstein in the meantime which confirms Kaiser's initial analysis of my biopsy samples: PSA: 7.2, Gleason 3+4 (intermediate risk), T1c. Dr. Epstein's analysis revelaed that Type 4 (intermediate) cancer cell content is below 5% in all of my…
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Strides for Prostate Cancer?
Folks: I just saw an event announcement for American Cancer Society Stride for Breast Cancer here in Bellingham, Washington. Do any of you know if this is inclusive for prostate cancer as well? If not, is there another ACS event equivalent for Prostate Cancer? I also notice there are events called Race for The Cure for…
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diet restrictions during radiation
I am starting radiation treatments and doctor tells me not to drink coffee or carbonated beverages . I miss this and wonder if it would be ok to sometimes cheat. Do not understand why carbonated beversges are bad since they are no longer carbonated when they reach your bladder. What are reasons for diet restrictions?
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urethral shortening discomfort and pain
Has anyone else experienced prolonged pain/discomfort due to urethral shortening? I am 10 weeks post operative RRP and the pain discomfort level has plateaued at about a 3 in the morning, lessening to a 1 as the day progresses with no pain or discomfort when not standing, walking or transitioning from/to sitting or lying…
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AS presentation by my doc
This is my doc, I think this is a pretty good presentation on AS monitoring. http://www.grandroundsinurology.com/monitor-patients-surveillance/ Denis
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ayurvedic Cancer treatment
Guys, Have you any Idea about the Ayurvedic cancer treatment center in India...If you have please let me know.
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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…
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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…
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Good read New yorker
Worth the read https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/09/11/cancers-invasion-equation Denis
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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
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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. *…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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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…