C and me

denistd
denistd Member Posts: 597
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Got home at 5 this afternoon, had been to Penn State hershey to get results of a biopsy I had on my prostate 3 weeks. Doc said that in two of the 12 needle biopsy cores there was a couple of cancer cells in each one. he went on to state that this not uncommon in most men my age and then gave me options. Do nothing and keep it under surveillance, and radiation treatment, he said that the cancer was extrememly low grade and very slow growing. I only got the biopsy as my dad and brother and an uncle all had prostate cancer, for those familiar with PSA's mine was at 5.6, I have had BPH for years and years and PSA's were always around 4.5 or 5.0. Nothing detectable with the digital exam or ultrasound, so it's real early, he said it won't kill me and that iy would take at least 5 to 8 years before and symptoms. I chose the radiation. I have had larynx cancer, lung cancer and a harmless piece of skin cancer. He also called it a pretty benign cancer. So will meet with the radiation Onc. and map a strategy.

Comments

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #2
    Strategy

    Cool deal, sounds like a good plan and a knowledgeable MD...

    There's a lot of strategy going on these days on just your situation... Weighing things like age, damage from Tx opposed to longevity of doing nothing, etc..

    John

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #3
    Skiffin16 said:

    Strategy

    Cool deal, sounds like a good plan and a knowledgeable MD...

    There's a lot of strategy going on these days on just your situation... Weighing things like age, damage from Tx opposed to longevity of doing nothing, etc..

    John

    Denis

    Sorry to hear. My husband had same dx several years ago. He opted for the robotic surgery and hasn't had any regrets. Happy you had early detection with all the options.

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #4
    C not so fast

    Denis,

    Good catch, good plan.

    Best always,

    Matt

  • CherieLW
    CherieLW Member Posts: 472
    #5
    Glad to hear that they caught

    Glad to hear that they caught this early! Best of luck to you and sending prayers!

  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #6
    Sorry you are dealing with

    Sorry you are dealing with yet another cancer. Sounds like your MD has a good plan. Praying for you.

    Blessings, Debbie

  • cureitall66
    cureitall66 Member Posts: 913
    #7
    You're on it....

    Glad to hear that they got it early. I'm sure your decision is a good one!

    Prayers for you to get some peace that you've seen enough of c.

    ~C

  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #8
    Hello Denis !

    What a crazy ride you've been on.  I'm glad to hear your drs have a plan you can accept and move forward with.  Early detection, especially when we've been through the crap once is great news.  Your words sound strong Denis....I think of you often and wish only the best for you !  I will add my prayers with everyone elses !  Hugs sent !  Katie

  • cureitall66
    cureitall66 Member Posts: 913
    #9
    Found this article...

    Dennis,

    Came across this article and thought it would be an interesting thing to post here as your subject is

    prostate cancer. This comes from American Cancer Society.

     

    http://www.cancer.org/cancer/news/expertvoices/post/2013/06/13/choosing-the-best-prostate-cancer-treatment-for-you.aspx

     

    ~C

  • denistd
    denistd Member Posts: 597
    #10
    cureitall66 said:

    Found this article...

    Dennis,

    Came across this article and thought it would be an interesting thing to post here as your subject is

    prostate cancer. This comes from American Cancer Society.

     

    http://www.cancer.org/cancer/news/expertvoices/post/2013/06/13/choosing-the-best-prostate-cancer-treatment-for-you.aspx

     

    ~C

    Treatment

    Thanks C, that's very informative. I will see the radiation Onc on the 25th, I have been looking at the possible treatments and I know a couple of guys that were in the same boat. One went for the brachytherapy and the other did nothing. The one that did nothing thinks he will opt for radiation this summer as the stress involved in watching and waiting is tough for him. The other guy is doing great. So I will pose a lot of questions then see a radiation onc possibley at Johns Hopkins. Denis

  • Greg53
    Greg53 Member Posts: 849
    #11
    denistd said:

    Treatment

    Thanks C, that's very informative. I will see the radiation Onc on the 25th, I have been looking at the possible treatments and I know a couple of guys that were in the same boat. One went for the brachytherapy and the other did nothing. The one that did nothing thinks he will opt for radiation this summer as the stress involved in watching and waiting is tough for him. The other guy is doing great. So I will pose a lot of questions then see a radiation onc possibley at Johns Hopkins. Denis

    One Tough Bloke

    Denis,

    Keep kicking butt, Dude!  Glad to hear you got it under control!

    Positive thoughts coming at ya!

    Greg

  • denistd
    denistd Member Posts: 597
    #12
    Greg53 said:

    One Tough Bloke

    Denis,

    Keep kicking butt, Dude!  Glad to hear you got it under control!

    Positive thoughts coming at ya!

    Greg

    prostate stats

    Got a call from my urologist in Hershey last night, That's why I like Hershey so much, they take time to dialogue with you, even on their own time. Explained the Gleason Pattern scoring system. Apparently I have a 6 score, which is the lowest it can be in the updated gleason system. We talked a little about treatment and the fact that I am still having some urination problems. He explained that the inflamation and swelling of the prostate is still there but will improve. I am looking hard at something called Cyberknife for treatment, it seems to be the least invasive tretment there is. Will be visiting the radiation onc next week so will know more. Had a small squamous cell lesion on my back removed today, it bloody hurts right now, it was 8mm by 8mm, clear margins. Start house hunting this week, wife wants a yard again, thought my grass cutting days were over, with all that she has been through with me she can have anything she wants. My son is in his externship to be a clinical medical assistant at the Penn State Hershey pediatric cardiology section. He wants to stay there and continue on to his RN degree.

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #13
    denistd said:

    prostate stats

    Got a call from my urologist in Hershey last night, That's why I like Hershey so much, they take time to dialogue with you, even on their own time. Explained the Gleason Pattern scoring system. Apparently I have a 6 score, which is the lowest it can be in the updated gleason system. We talked a little about treatment and the fact that I am still having some urination problems. He explained that the inflamation and swelling of the prostate is still there but will improve. I am looking hard at something called Cyberknife for treatment, it seems to be the least invasive tretment there is. Will be visiting the radiation onc next week so will know more. Had a small squamous cell lesion on my back removed today, it bloody hurts right now, it was 8mm by 8mm, clear margins. Start house hunting this week, wife wants a yard again, thought my grass cutting days were over, with all that she has been through with me she can have anything she wants. My son is in his externship to be a clinical medical assistant at the Penn State Hershey pediatric cardiology section. He wants to stay there and continue on to his RN degree.

    And Away We Goooo...

    Oh, wrong Gleason.....

    Sounds like everything is looking good, and the plan for improvement makes it even better...

    John

  • denistd
    denistd Member Posts: 597
    #14
    Skiffin16 said:

    And Away We Goooo...

    Oh, wrong Gleason.....

    Sounds like everything is looking good, and the plan for improvement makes it even better...

    John

    Prostate

    Met with the rads onc at Penn State Hershey yesterday, he strongly recommended that we do nothing but watch it. He went into detail about the cancer I had, boy did I learn a lot. My actual gleason (no not away Alice) Gleason. My score was 6 which he said is the lowest number on the scale. Of the twelve cores taken 2 showed cancer cells, one core was 15% cancer and the other was 40%. He explained how prevalent protate cancer is and the trade off between radiation and side effects in my case do not justify treatment at this point. He said that I was a perfect candidate for the watch only program. So I have another PSA scheduled in October and will then see him and the urologist again in February, my H&N rads guy was there as was the urologist and all strongly agreed that this was the logical way to go, I will have another biopsy in a year if there is no dramatic change, feel good about all of this. Denis

  • GavinP
    GavinP Member Posts: 118
    #15
    denistd said:

    Prostate

    Met with the rads onc at Penn State Hershey yesterday, he strongly recommended that we do nothing but watch it. He went into detail about the cancer I had, boy did I learn a lot. My actual gleason (no not away Alice) Gleason. My score was 6 which he said is the lowest number on the scale. Of the twelve cores taken 2 showed cancer cells, one core was 15% cancer and the other was 40%. He explained how prevalent protate cancer is and the trade off between radiation and side effects in my case do not justify treatment at this point. He said that I was a perfect candidate for the watch only program. So I have another PSA scheduled in October and will then see him and the urologist again in February, my H&N rads guy was there as was the urologist and all strongly agreed that this was the logical way to go, I will have another biopsy in a year if there is no dramatic change, feel good about all of this. Denis

    Glad everything has worked out

    I didn't know you'd had another problem, but pleased it all sounds positive. :)

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #16
    denistd said:

    Prostate

    Met with the rads onc at Penn State Hershey yesterday, he strongly recommended that we do nothing but watch it. He went into detail about the cancer I had, boy did I learn a lot. My actual gleason (no not away Alice) Gleason. My score was 6 which he said is the lowest number on the scale. Of the twelve cores taken 2 showed cancer cells, one core was 15% cancer and the other was 40%. He explained how prevalent protate cancer is and the trade off between radiation and side effects in my case do not justify treatment at this point. He said that I was a perfect candidate for the watch only program. So I have another PSA scheduled in October and will then see him and the urologist again in February, my H&N rads guy was there as was the urologist and all strongly agreed that this was the logical way to go, I will have another biopsy in a year if there is no dramatic change, feel good about all of this. Denis

    denis, so glad things worked

    denis, so glad things worked out.  will pray they continue on that road.

    dj

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