65 yr, good physical condition. After 10 years BPH symptoms and a steadily rising PSA, I was diagnosed at Johns Hopkins with low volume G3+3 in 2017. Single core. Recommendation: active surveillance. Re-biopsied in late 2018 at UCLA, G3+4, slightly higher volume but still, single core. PSA around 5. Stayed on active surveillance while obtaining TWO genomic tests. One said low/intermediate risk. The other, high risk. My two MRI’s, btw, did not clearly show a lesion. I had an (expensive) GA 68 PSMA test that turned up false positives for mets.
At the beginning of 2019, I decided that I would get some form of treatment. I visited and talked to many docs; RO’s and urologic surgeons. All highly competent and at the top of their fields. I looked at ALL the options. I might have waited for TOOKAD or Tulsa Pro (both non-radiation alternatives to surgery) but a 2015 UroLift implant (for BPH symptoms) was a cause for anxiety. If I had higher volume prostate ca, I would have considered surgery.
I also considered focal treatment which was recommended by a couple of docs. But the area of my prostate ca and the one genomic test result that I was at high risk for metastasis sent me to whole gland therapy.
I spent quite a long time going back and forth between HDR brachytherapy and finally settled on the 5 course SBRT at UCLA with Dr. Chris King. By this point, my PSA had risen to 7 from 6, in the course of a year.
I’ve learned a lot about prostate ca treatment within radiation and urology departments of major hospitals. I’ve learned, also, about the anxiety of active surveillance. As a 40% volume, single core G 3+4, I was reluctant to continue on AS — especially since major institutions have only reluctantly shifted from the position that G 3+4 is the signal for definitive treatment. The genomics tests are still new, and l had to pay a lot out of pocket because the insurance companies are balking. I had some docs wave their hands and say, don’t worry: the tests aren’t convincing. But the idea that I was at “high risk” was a heavy burden within active surveillance.