I Have Prostate Cancer

[DaveKell]

I just accessed my prostate biopsy from last week online. I have a Gleason score of 6 (3+3). Of course I immediately googled that and am somewhat confused by the information I found. One thing I think I've determined is they have no idea whether a low risk cancer can quickly become something more serious. So, I won't officially find out my urologist's recommendation for treatment until my appointment next week. I'm interested in thoughts from you who've been through this.

[mikestap]

Dave,
I had a steadily rising PSA for over ten years when at age 53, it spiked to over 6.0 and bounced around over 4.0 for a few months. My doc advised on getting a biopsy, which I did and it came back at Gleason 3+3. My age appeared to have suggested that watchful waiting was not the recommended course. I went to Johns Hopkins, the mecca, if not one of the meccas for prostate cancer treatment, and the doc told me that even the radio-oncologists at JHUH would advise on surgery.

I ultimately lost my natural and pharmaceutically-induced erectile functionality, but am super happy with my implant.

Your age and the assessment of the cancer's aggressiveness will direct much of your doc's advice.

I will tell you that my brother a year younger than I was diagnosed with low-risk cancer AFTER my experience. He did not move aggressively and he is just finishing up radiation hormone therapy after his RALP. This has been a tough road for him.

Praying for you Dave.
Mike

[tomas1]

Dave, as you may know already, I have exactly the same diagnosis as you.
My course of action is to stop the testosterone injections, monitor the PSA every 6 months, and get more biopsies in 18 months.

I'm sure all urologists have different plans of attack and maybe my age affected mine?

[bldoink]

Whatever it is you'll get through this and come out fine on the other side. Chin up!

[Whodat]

Dave, depending on your age what path you might take. If older the longer you can wait. However in any case I would choose active surveillance with PSA and digital exam every three months. Surgery, radiation, seeds, and freezing are all undesirable life changing moments.

[ftwabeck3533]

You have time to research all the options, and then you will choose the course of action which is best for you. I offer two additional sources of information on-line which I track on a daily basis (1) HealthUnlocked.com/Malecare (2) Inspire.com.

All these sites have their own culture and are very informative, for the reason this one is -- we're here to help each other.

[silver daddy 1960]

Hi Dave,

That's one of the tremendous things about Frank Talk, others to talk to who are open and honest. My story is very much like Mikestap. Found when I was 51 after 10 years of PSA observation, and removed at 52. The Doctor said removal was the best course due to age. At my young for prostate cancer age there was no one else who I knew that had or was having prostate issues. I did the research and meet the doctors in a daze. Make sure you have someone to share everything going through your head right now. It is a very weird time and I wished I had immediate thought to find counseling. You can PM me anytime if you want to talk.

Be thinking and praying for you

Silver Daddy

[Greg1956]

Dave,
Many of us have been down this road, but our trips are all a bit different. When I was diagnosed at age 58 I had the biopsies taken. Several of the malignant one were considered aggressive and I was advised not to take the common wait and see approach. I had a robotic Prostatectomy. It was considered a successful surgery but after two years the cancer was growing in the surrounding tissue so I had 9 weeks of radiation treatments to get rid of it. Perhaps immediate radiation at the time of the surgery would have been the way to go, but it did not appear necessary at that time.

Best wishes to you.

[Flavio]

We wish you all the best, stay strong. Keep us posted on your progress.

[LMCatman]

I went from no (detectable) cancer to an aggressive cancer in a little over a year. DO NOT SKIP YOUR ANNUAL PHYSICAL. I am alive today (9 years later) because my annual physical came back with "high PSA".......follow up, biopsy: yes, you have prostate cancer.

Upon confirmed diagnosis, I went out to my truck and sat and cried. I'm gonna die!

I had a robotic prostatectomy and radiation, recovered quickly, lived with a limp dick for 2.5 years. Went the implant route.

Wait til you see your doctor.

Synopsis: it's 9 years later and I AM ALIVE!!!!!! Good luck man!