New Member

Art_Deco
Art_Deco Member Posts: 5
in Prostate Cancer #1
Hello

I am a new member but have been following this forum for several months.

I was diagnosed with a Gleason 6 last August. My PSA was 4.5 at my annual physical and my doctor referred me to a urologist who convinced me to have a biopsy. 2 cores were positive for cancer but had small involvement.

Urologist want to do RP. I visited a radiologist who recommended AS and that is what I did so far. My PSA has remained steady and DRE is normal.

I find this site very informative for the most part and I want to continue to learn more so that I can be an informed patient.

Best to all.

Comments

  • hopeful and optimistic
    hopeful and optimistic Member Posts: 2,346 Member
    #2
    Wise Decision
    I have been on Active Surveillance with delayed treatment if necessary since March 2009, so I am vet of
    this. Click my name to view my states. Feel free to ask any questions about this treatment choice that you wish, hopefully I can respond with a good answer.

    By the way did you have a second opinion on the slides from your original biopsy so that you are not under or over treated.

    Did you have any other diagnostic tests?

    What is your active surveillance protocol?
  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010 Member
    #3
    Welcome to our forum and of
    Welcome to our forum and of course sorry to hear about your diagnosis.
    It sounds like activy watching is the way to go for now.

    If you have questions along the journey just let us know. There are men and their spouse, girlfriends, family members that are all willing to respond.

    lewivno
    Age 57
    Davince Surgery Aug 2009
    Gleason 7 (3+4)
  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama Member Posts: 3,707 Member
    #4
    lewvino said:

    Welcome to our forum and of
    Welcome to our forum and of course sorry to hear about your diagnosis.
    It sounds like activy watching is the way to go for now.

    If you have questions along the journey just let us know. There are men and their spouse, girlfriends, family members that are all willing to respond.

    lewivno
    Age 57
    Davince Surgery Aug 2009
    Gleason 7 (3+4)

    Be confident
    Art deco

    Welcome to the board.
    Surely you are in the right direction. Try to learn as much as you can, get proper diagnosis and follow a predefined testing program. Consult only PCa specialists and get your family involved in any final decision.

    What is your age?

    I wish you the best of lucks in your journey.

    VG
  • Art_Deco
    Art_Deco Member Posts: 5
    #5
    VascodaGama said:

    Be confident
    Art deco

    Welcome to the board.
    Surely you are in the right direction. Try to learn as much as you can, get proper diagnosis and follow a predefined testing program. Consult only PCa specialists and get your family involved in any final decision.

    What is your age?

    I wish you the best of lucks in your journey.

    VG

    Thanks
    For the welcome everyone.. To answer a few questions, I am 58. Live in Arizona. My slides were also read by Epstein at Hopkins and confirmed my Gleason.

    I am getting PSA tests every 6 months and seeing both an oncologist and my urologist. Also have mild BPH. Have not had any additional imaging other than the initial bone scan which was negative. Neither my doctors or myself thought additional imaging would reveal anything useful to warrant the expense and hassle. At least at this point. Perhaps another biopsy at two year point depending on how things look. First two years were to establish a a baseline. My free PSA did not indicate PCa. No other tests have been done so far.

    Am watching diet and quit all dairy.
  • Art_Deco
    Art_Deco Member Posts: 5
    #6
    VascodaGama said:

    Be confident
    Art deco

    Welcome to the board.
    Surely you are in the right direction. Try to learn as much as you can, get proper diagnosis and follow a predefined testing program. Consult only PCa specialists and get your family involved in any final decision.

    What is your age?

    I wish you the best of lucks in your journey.

    VG

    Thanks
    For the welcome everyone.. To answer a few questions, I am 58. Live in Arizona. My slides were also read by Epstein at Hopkins and confirmed my Gleason.

    I am getting PSA tests every 6 months and seeing both an oncologist and my urologist. Also have mild BPH. Have not had any additional imaging other than the initial bone scan which was negative. Neither my doctors or myself thought additional imaging would reveal anything useful to warrant the expense and hassle. At least at this point. Perhaps another biopsy at two year point depending on how things look. First two years were to establish a a baseline. My free PSA did not indicate PCa. No other tests have been done so far.

    Am watching diet and quit all dairy.
  • hopeful and optimistic
    hopeful and optimistic Member Posts: 2,346 Member
    #7
    Art_Deco said:

    Thanks
    For the welcome everyone.. To answer a few questions, I am 58. Live in Arizona. My slides were also read by Epstein at Hopkins and confirmed my Gleason.

    I am getting PSA tests every 6 months and seeing both an oncologist and my urologist. Also have mild BPH. Have not had any additional imaging other than the initial bone scan which was negative. Neither my doctors or myself thought additional imaging would reveal anything useful to warrant the expense and hassle. At least at this point. Perhaps another biopsy at two year point depending on how things look. First two years were to establish a a baseline. My free PSA did not indicate PCa. No other tests have been done so far.

    Am watching diet and quit all dairy.

    Art
    Several of us here have make life style changes. I don't have any dairy, red meat, even chicken but fish once in a while. I mainly am a vegetarian now. Also avoid products with sugar.This has evolved for me.

    For the most part doctors recommend a medeterrain diet, but my diet is more restrictive.

    Of course I do regular exercise, mainly walking and swimming and some resistance training.

    Suggest that you see a DVD FORKSoverKnives, or better yet read The China Study by T. Colin Campbell....I found the information found within to be life changing.

    A diagnostic test to consider and discuss with your doctor is a MRI with a T3. This will show if there is extracapsular extension, and show suspicious lesions within the the prostate, stage the cancer and indicate the size of your prostate.
  • Kongo
    Kongo Member Posts: 1,166 Member
    #8
    Art
    Let me add a welcome to the forum. It looks like you have plugged in to a good medical team and are following some sound advice. I like the part about them not wanting to do unnecessary testing.

    Looking forward to hearing more from you in the future.

    Best,

    K
  • jerseyguy891
    jerseyguy891 Member Posts: 18
    #9
    hopeful and optimistic said:

    Wise Decision
    I have been on Active Surveillance with delayed treatment if necessary since March 2009, so I am vet of
    this. Click my name to view my states. Feel free to ask any questions about this treatment choice that you wish, hopefully I can respond with a good answer.

    By the way did you have a second opinion on the slides from your original biopsy so that you are not under or over treated.

    Did you have any other diagnostic tests?

    What is your active surveillance protocol?

    Any Suggestions
    Hopeful, I was reading your reply to ArtDeco and thought I would ask for your thoughts. In March I was diagnosed with PCa. Age 51, PSA 3.9, Gleason 6, 1 core out of 11,12th was lost or couldn't be read? Decided on AS until something changes. I never got a second opinion on my biopsy reading. Went back to the Dr. in June DRE negative, PSA 4.0.

    Dr. said to come back in December for another PSA. Do you think the Dr. should be doing more tests? Should I look for a Dr. who specializes in AS?
  • hopeful and optimistic
    hopeful and optimistic Member Posts: 2,346 Member
    #10
    jerseyguy891 said:

    Any Suggestions
    Hopeful, I was reading your reply to ArtDeco and thought I would ask for your thoughts. In March I was diagnosed with PCa. Age 51, PSA 3.9, Gleason 6, 1 core out of 11,12th was lost or couldn't be read? Decided on AS until something changes. I never got a second opinion on my biopsy reading. Went back to the Dr. in June DRE negative, PSA 4.0.

    Dr. said to come back in December for another PSA. Do you think the Dr. should be doing more tests? Should I look for a Dr. who specializes in AS?

    some suggestions

    Please feel to click my name to see what I have been doing.

    In the core that was positive, what was the involvement; that is what percent had cancer...was it less than 50 percent.

    There are various diagnostic tests that are appropriate, PSA, MRI using a tesla magnet, PCA3, etc....however the critical test is a biopsy

    Active surveillance is a treatment decision, and so you want the most experienced professional with the best equipment treating you.

    If you live in Northern Jersey, NYC has world class major hospitals that are centers of excellence...I don't know which one(s) have an active surveillance program.
    Johns Hopkins, south of New Jersey does..as I remember it is under a Dr. Carter.

    Yes it is very inportant to have a second opinion on the biopsy slides
  • jerseyguy891
    jerseyguy891 Member Posts: 18
    #11
    jerseyguy891 said:

    Any Suggestions
    Hopeful, I was reading your reply to ArtDeco and thought I would ask for your thoughts. In March I was diagnosed with PCa. Age 51, PSA 3.9, Gleason 6, 1 core out of 11,12th was lost or couldn't be read? Decided on AS until something changes. I never got a second opinion on my biopsy reading. Went back to the Dr. in June DRE negative, PSA 4.0.

    Dr. said to come back in December for another PSA. Do you think the Dr. should be doing more tests? Should I look for a Dr. who specializes in AS?

    Any Suggestions
    Hopeful, The one core was 24%. If my biopsy was done in March is it to late to get a second opinion? Would my Dr. still have the slides? If it isn't to late and I want the slides sent to Johns Hopkins would Johns Hopkins request the slides from Dr.?
  • laserlight
    laserlight Member Posts: 165
    #12
    hopeful and optimistic said:

    Art
    Several of us here have make life style changes. I don't have any dairy, red meat, even chicken but fish once in a while. I mainly am a vegetarian now. Also avoid products with sugar.This has evolved for me.

    For the most part doctors recommend a medeterrain diet, but my diet is more restrictive.

    Of course I do regular exercise, mainly walking and swimming and some resistance training.

    Suggest that you see a DVD FORKSoverKnives, or better yet read The China Study by T. Colin Campbell....I found the information found within to be life changing.

    A diagnostic test to consider and discuss with your doctor is a MRI with a T3. This will show if there is extracapsular extension, and show suspicious lesions within the the prostate, stage the cancer and indicate the size of your prostate.

    life style
    My wife has the dvd and book, real good information and a wakeup call. When fighting cancer your body needs proper nutrition. Since Feb of 2011 I have changed my diet completely and am following the above. Art welcome to the group.
  • hopeful and optimistic
    hopeful and optimistic Member Posts: 2,346 Member
    #13
    jerseyguy891 said:

    Any Suggestions
    Hopeful, The one core was 24%. If my biopsy was done in March is it to late to get a second opinion? Would my Dr. still have the slides? If it isn't to late and I want the slides sent to Johns Hopkins would Johns Hopkins request the slides from Dr.?

    Not too late...


    24 percent is low volume, which makes you an excellent candidate for Active Surveillance.

    The slides are kept indefinitely. Simply call your doctors office and tell them that you want to have your slides sent to Johns Hopkins...... the slides are packed, and usually sent one day delivery(the shipping is paid by the pathologist). The results come back to your doctor. The slides are shipped back to the origin.
  • jbw901
    jbw901 Member Posts: 23
    #14
    laserlight said:

    life style
    My wife has the dvd and book, real good information and a wakeup call. When fighting cancer your body needs proper nutrition. Since Feb of 2011 I have changed my diet completely and am following the above. Art welcome to the group.

    Another "almost" vegen
    Art -

    After being diagnosed in July 2011, through research I quickly decided to give up red meat (except for the occasional bison burger). Since watching the ForksOverKnives DVD in March I have also given up all dairy, processed foods, junk food and sweets, and limit eating chicken to a couple times a month. I do eat fish with my salad daily at lunch and when we go to restaurants, so I am not a total vegen but I do also believe a plant strong diet will help my body fight any cancer cells that may remain since my RP in January.

    Good luck with your decision.
  • beacon723
    beacon723 Member Posts: 15
    #15
    lewvino said:

    Welcome to our forum and of
    Welcome to our forum and of course sorry to hear about your diagnosis.
    It sounds like activy watching is the way to go for now.

    If you have questions along the journey just let us know. There are men and their spouse, girlfriends, family members that are all willing to respond.

    lewivno
    Age 57
    Davince Surgery Aug 2009
    Gleason 7 (3+4)

    New Member as of Nov.25, 2012
    I have been having regular PSA tests done every year after age 40, I will be 61 next month
    in December, I have been seeing a Urologist with a large well staffed group in my area
    (North of Detroit) Michigan Institute of Urology.
    I have Prostate Cancer, Gleason Score 3+4=7 PSA 4.6, Needle biopsy 12 samples taken, three
    came back hot, T1c, Cancer runs in my family so my choice is surgery,
    I go in November 27, 2012 Next Tuesday for Da Vinci Robotic Prostate removal the hospital has the newest Da Vinci Model "S" 3D.
    to make a long story short let me say that I am a little nervous, and will be back here
    with the results.
    PS. I am also a Polio Survivor, Full body when I was seven years old, so the after effects
    of polio are going to add to the mix of everything going on.
    Thanks for all the information I gleaned from this website.
    Ed
  • Swingshiftworker
    Swingshiftworker Member Posts: 1,017 Member
    #16
    beacon723 said:

    New Member as of Nov.25, 2012
    I have been having regular PSA tests done every year after age 40, I will be 61 next month
    in December, I have been seeing a Urologist with a large well staffed group in my area
    (North of Detroit) Michigan Institute of Urology.
    I have Prostate Cancer, Gleason Score 3+4=7 PSA 4.6, Needle biopsy 12 samples taken, three
    came back hot, T1c, Cancer runs in my family so my choice is surgery,
    I go in November 27, 2012 Next Tuesday for Da Vinci Robotic Prostate removal the hospital has the newest Da Vinci Model "S" 3D.
    to make a long story short let me say that I am a little nervous, and will be back here
    with the results.
    PS. I am also a Polio Survivor, Full body when I was seven years old, so the after effects
    of polio are going to add to the mix of everything going on.
    Thanks for all the information I gleaned from this website.
    Ed

    Start A New Thread
    Ed, rather than add your post to an old thread, I suggest you start a new one so that people will be better able to see it.

    Since you have apparently decided on surgery in a couple of days, I have no advice for you. I just wish you luck. Let us know what happens in another thread.
  • hopeful and optimistic
    hopeful and optimistic Member Posts: 2,346 Member
    #17
    Kongo said:

    Art
    Let me add a welcome to the forum. It looks like you have plugged in to a good medical team and are following some sound advice. I like the part about them not wanting to do unnecessary testing.

    Looking forward to hearing more from you in the future.

    Best,

    K

    Ed
    I wonder what was the involvement of the cores thast were positive, that is what percent were cancerous?

    Did you have any other diagnostic tests, ie an MRI using a Tesla 1.5 or 3.0 magnet to see if there is extracapsular extension. So, if there is extracapusular extension, surgery would not be the best choice, since the cancer has already spread beyond the capsule.


    Best
  • beacon723
    beacon723 Member Posts: 15
    #18
    beacon723 said:

    New Member as of Nov.25, 2012
    I have been having regular PSA tests done every year after age 40, I will be 61 next month
    in December, I have been seeing a Urologist with a large well staffed group in my area
    (North of Detroit) Michigan Institute of Urology.
    I have Prostate Cancer, Gleason Score 3+4=7 PSA 4.6, Needle biopsy 12 samples taken, three
    came back hot, T1c, Cancer runs in my family so my choice is surgery,
    I go in November 27, 2012 Next Tuesday for Da Vinci Robotic Prostate removal the hospital has the newest Da Vinci Model "S" 3D.
    to make a long story short let me say that I am a little nervous, and will be back here
    with the results.
    PS. I am also a Polio Survivor, Full body when I was seven years old, so the after effects
    of polio are going to add to the mix of everything going on.
    Thanks for all the information I gleaned from this website.
    Ed

    Took your advice
    Thanks so much, I did post to a new one, eight days post-op
    Ed

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