Newly Diagnosed

[NickyDJr]

Hello and Happy New Year! I am a newly diagnosed prostate cancer patient. My PSA was 4.8. The stage is T2C with a Gleason score of. 6/7. I just made my appointments. with a surgeon and radiologist. Looking for guidance, recommendations and something as to what I can expect.

[Tall_Allen]

When you write "the stage is 2C," was that because of imaging or from a DRE? Was the Gleason score 4+3 or 3+4. If the latter, what % of the core was pattern 4? Did you get a second opinion from Epstein? If not, and you are in the US, that is your first order of business.

pathology.jhu.edu/departmen...

[NickyDJr in reply to Tall_Allen]

I had a MRI and subsequent biopsy. Not sure of the pattern or if it was 4+3 or 3+4? I guess I should find out. Is Epstein on the forum?

[Tall_Allen in reply to NickyDJr]

Dr. Epstein at Johns Hopkins is a world-famous pathologist. Those things I asked you matter a great deal in determining next steps and the best doctors to meet with. Where are you located?

[NickyDJr in reply to Tall_Allen]

Long Island, New. York.

[Tall_Allen in reply to NickyDJr]

Great! You have a lot of excellent choices in the NYC area. But get the Epstein second opinion, and then we can discuss some good doctors you may want to visit with.

[SonomaGuy in reply to NickyDJr]

Hi Nicky. yes listen to Tall Allen. Dr. Epstein is it Johns Hopkins and they have a second opinion program where you can mail your slides your biopsy slides in for his review and opinion it’s cheap it’s about 300 bucks you can do it yourself or you can tell your doctor to send them if he won’t do it yourself it’s the best investment I ever made. While he confirmed for me Gleason six his opinion is one core instead of three. heres the linkfor info pathology.jhu.edu/departmen...

[SonomaGuy in reply to NickyDJr]

also this is really super important you need to determine if it’s 4+3 or 3+4. It’s a huge difference and will make a complete difference the decisions you make and the potential quality of life issues. And check out the prostate cancer non-surgical treatment group on Facebook

[judg69]

Follow Tall_Allens advice, but I will say on the basis of the information given that I would be very leery if the surgeon tries moving ahead quickly with surgery. I was diagnosed at age 67 Gleason 7 ( 4 + 3 ) with 9 out of 12 cores cancerous with 5 cores being greater than 50%. I was treated a year and a half ago with IMRT and 6 months Firmagon ADT hormone therapy . Now 69 and getting on with life. Best Wishes, judg69

[SonomaGuy]

also this is really super important you need to determine if it’s 4+3 or 3+4. It’s a huge difference and will make a complete difference the decisions you make and the potential quality of life issues. And check out the prostate cancer non-surgical treatment group on Facebook

[SonomaGuy]

One more thing the reason the difference between 4+3 or 3+4 is it makes a difference whether you need surgery or not. A 3+4 It’s very possible you Could you active surveillance instead of surgery And not have the potential risk of incontinence and ED for the rest of your life. Remember you’ve had this for sometime it’s a slow moving disease. Take your time. When I was first diagnosed eight weeks ago I certainly freaked but take a breath be careful with a knee-jerk reaction to the word “cancer” And take your time to do your research there’s no rush another few months or so won’t make a difference. So find out your exact Gleason score and combination and then start researching alternatives. There’s also good options for a low score like yours for HIFU or FLA which both are focused treatment on the tumor and don’t leave you in continent and possibly without any ED. You may have dry ejaculations but hey dry ejaculations are better than no ejaculations

[aceace12]

if your doctor did mot mention the treatment of active survellience .... find another doctor..regardless what your diagnosis.... this should be brought up ...good luck

[Justfor_]

The norm today is first mpMRI and then biopsy. Imaging gives a wider picture, but urologists just prefer staying within their practice. It takes some months post biopsy for the prostate to heal for a clear mpMRI. You have got this time. Don't rush to any decision before this.

[Bruins11]

I was 3/4. Had RP in Sept. of 18. Good news, PSA is .01. Bad news, mild incontinence. ED also. Make sure you check out radiation therapy before deciding.

[JorgeGMiamiBeach]

Good morning. I've gone down the road you are about to and I would love to help you understand what I have been through and what helped me eradicate my PC in 5 months. Please provide me with your email address as I cannot send attachments through this service.