New diagnosis

Klemon

My husband has recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer. We are still in the process. After a rising PSA since 2007 of about 1-2 pts per year (Feb 2010 8.2)..three biopsies....and a negative pelvic/prostate of the MRI (March 10) , in March 2010 we got a positive 1 core on the third biospy at 3+3=6 in March of 2010. All DREs continue to be normal, no symptoms.

We were told it was garden variety ..non-agressive and given every option available including watchful surveillance. My husband is very active and 63.
We opted for the DaVinci surgery, Dr at home advised we could probably wait till fall if we liked... Instead of scheduling here at home, we decided to go to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, where they perform many more. Upon evaluation there in April 2010, the pathologists did not agree with the biopsy results and diagnosed ASAP cells, precancerous, and recc a saturation biopsy. That was done 2 weeks ago in June 2010

Results were very scary, 3+3=6 on the left, 3+4=7 in the middle, 3+4=7 on the right, and a 4+4=8 in the middle right. I am beside myself how this could be happening when we have been so on top of this for 3 years.

We are headed back to Mayo today for bone and CT scans to rule out metast. (Dr here assumes they will be clear)..and are hoping to schedule surgery ASAP in late July or early Aug.

I am so scared.

Kongo

Sorry
Sorry to see that you joined our club but there is a lot of good information here along with support and understanding. Why did you choose surgery over other potential options to deal with your husband's PCa?

lewvino

Klemon,
Being Scared is a
Klemon,
Being Scared is a normal reaction. I remember when I was told about my prostate cancer. It hit me hard even though I knew that I would face it at somepoint in my life since my dad had prostate Cancer also. The good news is they found the cancer and it is treatable. My dad was treated back in 1997 and is still alive today. There are so many choices that you will have to make now so read, study and talk to us and to your Doctors. We are not doctors on here just other men and women that have been done the road ahead of you.

If you do go with Surgery (remember there are other options) they will send the prostate off to the lab and then you will know the 'true' Gleason score. Mine was 4+3 7 before surgery but changed to 3+4 7 after surgery so a slight change. Your husbands may end up as the original 3+3 or a 3+4 but regardless I think you will have many happy years ahead of you yet.

Also if you go the Davinci it is wise as you know to pick the surgeon with lots of experience.
Keep in touch and we will lend you both all the support we can.

Larry age 55
Davinci Aug 2009
Still a member of the 0 Club!

RiverRider

Everyone did everything correctly
Kelmon, It would appear everyone did almost everything correctly. That would include the doctors as well as you and your husband. After all, you had two or three clean biopsies prior to the (3+3)6 in just one core.

In fact, you went even further in getting the second opinion at Mayo where they found that core to not be cancer. Fortunate for you, that by going to Mayo you got yet one more biopsy.
Those more serious findings allow you to make treatment decisions that may have otherwise not been considered with only the previous finding. That is a positive.

Be sure you get all your treatment choices explained in full for your particular situation.
Have all the doctors at Mayo concluded that surgery is the best choice?

If so, then proceed as planned. One of my close friends went in with similar PSA numbers and Gleason 7, but came out with a pathology of Gleason 8. That was over 3 years ago since his robotic surgery and everything has gone well since then. A few of the normal side effects, including ED, but that got better after about 12 to 18 months.
While he still gets his PSA tests, the entire episode is not in his thoughts that much.
He is getting married soon to his long time girl friend and they are buying a new house.
For him, life is good. (he is 60)

Me, my last biopsy was negative, however stories like yours show me one or two negatives don't mean all that much. Like is often said, the areas of prostate cancer can be like olives hidden in a loaf of bread. You poke 10 or 12 straws into the loaf, but its hit or miss. And if you do it 3 times, you really do lower the chances of missing everything. But, as you have seen, in a few people, the first tests, 36 samples, can miss almost everything.

Just make sure, which ever treatment you get, that the person doing it has considerable experience. Don't be afraid to ask them their numbers, experience with the "specific" method you choose. A surgeon may have done 700 surgeries, but if you are only #7 of his robotic type operations, then you may want to reconsider.
He may still be better at open surgery.

Stay positive.