Just Diagnosed Gleason 8

Had the Surgery with Dr Patel on September 30 Six week PSA weny from 7,6 to undetsctable. I am 76. Also a 17 year survivor of Kidney Cancer/ Make sure your Urologist us a n experienced Prostate surgeon or can refer you to one. May the force be with you.

icemantoo

 Floyd,

Welcome to the board. Just like you we all in this forum have experienced that sensation of "freaking out" when diagnosed with the cancer. The first thing I recommend you is to calm down and do some researches before taking any decision. You should know what prostate cancer is about, details of the diagnosis process and the pitfalls of treatments. Take your time, prepare a list of questions to your next meeting and get second opinions on the suggestions. Prostate cancer (PCa) does not spread overnight. Changing diets now is great for your health but it will not affect the course of your PCa case. Please understand that you are not at falt for having PCa. Do things coordinately and discuss all maters with your family. You will do fine.

The PSA is high but it could be due to other causes or a mixture of cancer and benign hyperplasia. Gleason 8 cases have attached risks for spread and such requires image exams to guess the cancer location. However, CT is not very reliable in PCa issues (it provides false negatives) so I would suggest you to add an MRI exam. This image study is important in the process of the diagnosis as this is used to attribute a clinical stage, from which the doctor will recommend a treatment.
In any case, Gleason score 8 with ten positive needles out of 12 has high probabilities of being a non contained case. Can you tell the results of the digital rectum examination (DRE)?

Typically surgery is recommended for contained cases and radiotherapy to localized but not contained. Both treatments have side effects that will prejudice your quality of life so that you should get the details and be choosy.

I would recommend you to check on this link for reading materials;

https://csn.cancer.org/node/311252

Here are ideas for your List of Questions;

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353093

https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/diagnosing-cancer/questions-ask-your-health-care-team

Best wishes and luck in this journey.

VGama

Hi,

Dido on what Vasco says. It was me before I started any medication I would get the MRI, bone scan and CT. Then I would talk to your Urologist and also a Radiation Oncologist who specialize in Prostate cancer.  On your Gleason score was it a 3+5 or 5+3 or 4+4.  Each combo has a little different meaning.  Also before I did anything I would get a second opinion.  Need to do your homework as it will effect what type of treament you recieve plus your future quality of life down the road.  Great doctors and great facilities = great results in my opinion.

Dave 3+4

Welcome to the group no one wanted to join.  But we're very fortunate to have many experienced cancer survivors who can share their experiences and stories.  Dave and VG make excellent points in getting additional testing.  I was diagnosed 9/4/19 with a Gleason 8 (4+4) Gleason 8 (3+5) and a Gleason 6 (3+3).  PSA 4.5 with BS and MRI negative.  Had surgery 11/25 and I'm in the process of healing.  For what it's worth, I would research to find the best treatment facility and get a second opinion.  It's devastating news at first but take a deep breath, get further testing and decide on a team that has had success in dealing with PCa.  I'm 57 and lighterwood67 makes some great points in his response.  We are all here for you and wish you the best!  God Bless!

Jim

Hi there,

As I say above, wait and see, after the scans you will know where you are and you can make decisions.
I would not begin any hormonal treatment before the scans or making a decision on treatment and I would try and do them as quickly as possible.

Best wishes for the results,

Georges

Leuprolide is a Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) agonist (or LHRH agonist). Leuprolide is available under the brand names Lupron® and Eligard®. It is indicated for use as a palliative treatment option for individuals with advanced prostate cancer.  In my opinion, make sure you get second opinions, especially on the Lupron.  Just don't think you have  had a thorough evaluation to get a Lupron shot.  Good luck on your journey.

ufknkidding said:

That word - cancer

Hello Kitafloyd.  Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. We all shared a similar moment in our lives and it was incredibly stressful.  It's great you found this board and all these survivors, so rest assured, you are NOT alone.  One other good resource to those already mentioned is http://yananow.net

I am early 50s, had RARP in 09/2019, and on the road to regaining urinary continence and erectile function.  Good luck on your Monday meeting.

Kit,

You have received a huge response above.  There is nothing stated that I disagree with.  A rough, partial summation is as follows:

(1) Presumption that you have metastasis given your particulars would be the norm among most oncologists; 

(2) Beginning HT would be a nearly automatic response, but if the guys say wait on the bone marrow scan, it is undoubtedly good advice, but your doctor, of course, will make the decision.  It won't take long to get into an emergency bone marrow scan anyway. 

(3) Scans of ALL types are of limited use for PCa (prostate cancer), and FALSE NEGATIVES are very routine; a scan seeing PCa tumors means signifiicant metastasis;   

(4) the curative therapies for PCa are surgery and/or radiation, but in cases of metastasis, radiation (RT) is much more effective than surgical removal (RP), which is usually regarded as only palliative and secondary in effect to area radiation.   HT also is palliative and neoadjuvant, as stated above; it is not by itself curative;   

(5) fear or rushing matters is counterproductive and unnecessary in PCa, because a few weeks wait for other testing and results is clinically usually of no detriment or additional risk. Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with advanced, widespread Lymphoma, and it was over two months of testing, meeting experts, etc., before I ever received my first chemo infusion, which is the only form of treatment for most Lymphomas (Note:  chemo is a relatively RARE treatment against PCa, and like HT, palliative only against PCa); 

(6) a second opinion and selecting an expert in PCa is critical in cases of advanced disease.

(7) We are not doctors or certified medical professionals.  You must choose an expert whom you trust and go from there.  But most guys value the support, feedback, and friendship they receive here deeply.

max

Floyd,

I would follow the recommendation of your PAP and go visit the Indochina. Your present status wouldn't change till your return and now you are free from the side effects of treatments. You can try doing the scans before the trip and get a final answer from the doctors on your return with the results of the image studies in hand.

In the above biopsy report, the Gleason 8 (4+4) found at the base of the prostate (just under the bladder) is the area close to the seminal vesicles. This makes me wonder if the vesicles are infested. Gs8 guys with SV invasion have high probabilities for spread. The MRI may provide the answer.

Best wishes,

VG