gleason score 9

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Comments

  • Georges Calvez
    Georges Calvez Member Posts: 547 Member

    Posted

    Please keep us posted Gerorge and best wishes.

    History
    Thanks,

    I document my story here.
    https://csn.cancer.org/node/318066
    I am an unusual case insofar as I had a high PSA but a very localised cancer.
    One of the things that I am considering is having the tumour examined genetically.
    This assumes that they have retained some material!

    Best wishes,

    Georges
  • Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3
    Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 Member Posts: 3,818 Member

    Well

    Georges and Max,

     

    All I can say is.  There is more to us than just us.  Look around.  Ok, back to the task at hand.  

    Insightful

    Yes, lighter, back to our allowed task.  Otherwise, like a few other posts that USED to be included above, it will be lost, like CSNs three months' worth of data recently.

    max

  • Georges Calvez
    Georges Calvez Member Posts: 547 Member
    Explanation

    Hi there,

    I just offered it as an explanation for why I do not pray for other board members and why I do not want to be prayed for either.
    Fifteenth Firmagon injection today if one counts the first double injection as a single treatment, only four left if I decide to stop in September, I have options to continue for two or three years!
    Blood pressure 146/87 which is normal for me at this time in the morning on this stuff, it will fall during the day.
    I have premedicated myself with a couple of ibuprofen to help cut down the local pain.

    Best wishes,

    Georges

  • jrozenek
    jrozenek Member Posts: 1 Member

    Hi

    In March 2022 had a fusion biopsy with gleason (5+4) grade 5. Have an appointment in a few days. What can i expect? Should they order a PET scan? Seems like it is a coin toss on surgery vs radiation as primary decision with some hormone therapy perhaps. FYI I am 54yo and healthy. What are the chances the cancer has metastasized?

    Looking for a few experiences or educated opinions.


    Thanks Jerry

  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama Member Posts: 3,707 Member

    Hi Jerry,

    Welcome to the board.

    My suggestion is that you try learning as much as you can on the matters related to diagnosis and treatments before making any decision. Though Gleason score 9 is high in risks and should be treated, prostate cancer does not spread overnight. Typically one takes two to three months to research, consult, get second opinions and finally decide.

    After a positive diagnosis, the next step is to check about any spread. This is done via a series of scans that traditionally include a bone scan and a MRI. CT is also helpful but it often misses small sizes tumors. Recently some doctors request also a PET scan. The purpose is to rule out metastases, certifying that the case is contained. The urologist will then provide you his opinion on the clinical stage. Contained cases (T1, T2) are typically recommended for surgery. T3 with any N may have higher points in radiation and T4 cases will be dependent on the location of the metastases. Some would be recommended for palliative therapies.

    I recommend you to prepare a list of questions for your next meeting. Here is a link to help you;

    www.urologyhealth.org/documents/Product-Stor

    All treatments for PCa have risks and attached side effects that will prejudice our quality of life. Try involving your family in your decisions.

    Best wishes and luck in this journey.

    VGama

  • Old Salt
    Old Salt Member Posts: 1,516 Member

    If you post the biopsy report in its entirety, we could offer some insights. But as Vasco already wrote, prepare all the questions you can think of and hope for a good consult with your urologist.

    When I got the (bad) news (Gleason=9) my urologist spent an hour with me (and my spouse) to explain what it meant and what my options were.

    Do bring another person with you for taking notes etc. The diagnosis and interview can be overwhelming; it was for me... At that point I barely knew where my prostate was😀