Posted on 12/03/2018 7:07:37 AM PST by fwdude
I have mentioned previously that my rising PSA levels necessitated several biopsies in the past several years. The latest result has been that my "grade" has gone from Gleason Score of 6 (3+3) to a 7 (4+3). I'm soliciting advice and experience wisdom from other FReepers who've been through this, as I am navigating unknown waters.
Surgeon is recommending surgery (radical prostatectomy) but radiation is also an option.
Lot's of questions and concerns. I'm soliciting advice from all quarters on this. Thanks.
You need to get your butt down to www.mdanderson.org
You can do a self-referral at the site, and you want to see Dr. John W. Davis in the genitourinary clinic.
I have sent six men to see him for their surgeries. All have been thrilled with the results. In short, HE IS THE MAN.
If you are a candidate for surgery, having your prostate removed is the only way to go.
I was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer over four years ago, so I was not a candidate for surgery.
If you have surgery and the doctor gets it all, it will never be a problem in the future. If some localized lymph nodes are involved, they can be removed. Sometimes follow up radiation is needed if the PSA starts to go up again.
My brother-in-law was diagnosed with PC six months after I was. Fortunately, he was a candidate for surgery. It’s been 3.5 years for him and his PSA is undetectable. He’s doing great.
BTW, his urinary control is excellent and he has no ED issues. Those are two of the reasons you want the very best surgeon.
If you want, I’d be more than wiling o meet you when you come down for your first appointment.
MD Anderson is the #1 Cancer Center in the World.
Send me a FB message if you’d like to talk.
If it is contained withing the prostate and maybe a few local lymph nodes, proton therapy is an option.
Get to MD Anderson and you can see Dr. Davis in the GU Clinic. I’d also suggest a consult with Dr. Choi in GU Radiation. They are both fabulous.
Your comments are right on point. With a great surgeon, urinary and ED are not long term problems.
Might need to get a pump to get things working again, but that is a short-term thing.
MY PSA was 9.4 when I was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer.
I’ve met too many men who agreed to watchful waiting only to have it become metastatic. If you doing watchful waiting, you might as well have it removed by a great surgeon and be done with it.
That is an unwise decision. Did your doctor prescribe anti-biotics for the week before and after the biopsy?
You need a PSA test and a DRE EVERY year. It could save your life.
If it spread to his bones, he is not cured. May be under control, but there is no current cure for metastatic prostate cancer. I have it, so I know.
How old are you?
Most men today get their catheters out in 7-10 days.
My brother-in-law had the exact same response. follow up radiation finished up the job and he has had an undetectable PSA for the last 2+ years. And, everything works as God intended.
Come to think of it, my total time off from work was 7 weeks. I had the Foley catheter in for maybe 5 weeks. The first urinary tract shutdown occurred almost immediately after taking the Foley out. I went on antibiotics and had the catheter reinserted.
Did another week on medications and tried again. No joy. Another shut down; reinsert the catheter again and more antibiotics.
Another week, remove the Foley, keep the antibiotics going and learn how to self-insert a catheter when necessary (now there’s a memorable first experience!).
After a couple weeks, infection was finally gone.
Glad to hear that. I hated the damn thing.
Fifty-six.
This thread has been filled with great info.
“That is an unwise decision. Did your doctor prescribe anti-biotics for the week before and after the biopsy?”
The decision is mine. I did get antibiotics before and after, but I don’t think a week’s worth. This happened about 3 years ago and I don’t remember exactly to be honest. I durn sure got some in the ER, though. I have never felt like I did when the infection set in. It was worse than pain or feeling bad, it was a feeling of complete confusion and helplessness. I went from a 250 pound man to a sniveling little baby. I did not spend any time in the ER waiting room. I went directly from admissions to a room. I don’t think I would have gotten back any faster if I was having chest pains. I spent several hours on an IV and showed signs of recovery right before they were going to admit me. I have never been a patient in a hospital before. That’s why I will never go through it again.
My pleasure and I hope it helps you out.
Are you referring to the MD Anderson in Dallas?
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis.
I was a Gleason 6 with very limited spot of cancer, so I went with “active surveillance” for about 2 years. The urologist at the time recommended surgery, but I knew that was always a fall-back strategy if the labs came back different. I started going over a PSA of 10 this year, when I got a new urologist. Ten is the tipping point on the chart of what treatments are recommended.
Lots of good surgeons here in the D/FW area. My urologist is also an experienced surgeon who utilizes the Da Vinci Robotic surgery technology. He told me 3 incisions is all that is made. Looking at this in 2019.
If your urologist does quite a few of them, he’s probably a great choice. Just get the surgery.
I asked him how many he’s performed and he said it was in the hundreds.
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