Recently diagnosed with cancer

[Buszee]

Hello my PSA score is 5.3 with GS3 + 4 in 2 cores and GS 3 + 3 in one cores out of 12

[Tall_Allen]

I'm sorry to hear that. It's a good idea to spend $250 to get a second opinion on the biopsy from Dr Epstein at Johns Hopkins. If confirmed, you have several good options for treatment, including surgery, SBRT, and brachytherapy. You have to make the effort to go out and talk to specialists in each of them. Do not just rely on your urologist. Take your time - you have plenty of time to decide.

[Chemtrails-USA in reply to Tall_Allen]

Is Active Surveillance a possible option for Buszee, assuming Johns Hopkins confirms those scores?

[Tall_Allen in reply to Chemtrails-USA]

Some believe that any pattern 4 precludes active surveillance. I think that it still can be considered in some cases. One nice thing about Epstein's report is he tells you what percent of the GS 3+4 is pattern 4. If it is 5%, it is worth considering. If it is 40%, probably not.

[aceace12 in reply to Tall_Allen]

in regards to Epteins reports i got his back from my doctor. he stated 3+3=6 in 3 cores < 5%,,,,cores A, E<,and G. but he did mention all these cores demonstrate basal cell in atypical glands.... wish i was told was not cancer ... so really confusing now.. also his report did not show all slides sent to him, he only reported on slides a,c,e,g,i and h ... nothing on other slides...... c,i,k showed benign

[Tall_Allen in reply to aceace12]

That was great news! Why are you confused? You are the poster boy for active surveillance.

[aceace12 in reply to Tall_Allen]

confuse on why he did not diagnose all 12 cores ???

[Tall_Allen in reply to aceace12]

He only reports on cores where there is something to report.

[aceace12 in reply to Tall_Allen]

so your saying if the slides are unreadable he cant report on them ???.... or are you saying if cancer he reports the core , if benign he reports the core benign.... my pathology reported showed both, but not all cores. so what is final conclusion on cores he did not report on ???

thanks

[Tall_Allen in reply to aceace12]

I said he didn't report anything because there was nothing to report - they were just normal prostate cells.

[aceace12 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Ok I understand and thanks . But seems like if they were normal cells he would have said they were benign .. I guess there is a difference between benign and normal ..

[Tall_Allen in reply to aceace12]

no difference. Normal cells do not require commentary- unless it is different from a previous pathology report. if you are so upset by this great report, why don't you call them?

[aceace12 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks for info .. I do have my urologist appt Friday ..

[srose007 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Hi Tall_Allen,

I like the idea of the second opinion. May I ask what the specific procedure is to have Dr. Epstein review the biopsy? Does he need to have some of the physical specimen sent to him? Is there a form to fill out? Any additional info would be most helpful. And thanks for all of your time responding to folks on this site - we appreciate it!

Steve

[Tall_Allen in reply to srose007]

with most Uros, you can just call them and tell them to send your slides to Epstein for a second opinion. It's pretty common. If not, follow the easy directions here:

pathology.jhu.edu/departmen...

[ffiore]

Buszee. Consider joining the sire YANA - You Are Not Alone - yananow.org

YANA's mission is to provide comfort to any man diagnosed with prostate cancer, to offer thoughtful support to him and his family and to help them to decide how best to deal with the diagnosis by providing them with and guiding them to suitable information, being mindful at all times that it is the individual's ultimate choice that the path he decides to follow is his own and that of his family, based on his particular circumstances. I highly recommend it.

[Handdrummer777]

Welcome! This is a terrific, supportive and thoughtful group. I wish you well in your new journey. Like others are advising you, take time to get information.

Last April's diagnosis showed I had Gleason 4+3 (unfavorable/high intermediate risk) with a PSA of 18. I'm now in the 10th month of ADT, begun prior to my VMAT radiation last fall. I wanted to avoid the immediate ED and incontinence following surgery. The trade-off is potential for more bowel problems, and late-onset ED is a possible outcome a few years down the line. Doing well so far.

Good luck and keep us updated!

[Hindemith]

Just for the record, Johns Hopkins now charges $275 for the review. Still a bargain considering you're getting the best.

[Tall_Allen in reply to Hindemith]

Thanks for the update