I have just returned from an examination and was told that I have a nodule on my prostate. I am 55 years old and so you can imagine I am in shock. My father died at 74 following prostate cancer so I realise that I am in the high risk category but did not expect to hear this today. The urologist informed me that I now need a blood test (PSA) and an ultra sound. I am experiencing some discomfort in the area but thought it was a previous problem I had 10 years ago with haemorrhoids.
Nothing has been concluded yet because I need more tests but you can imagine how I feel given the family history and the fact that I am very fit for my age (good diet, lots of running and gym sessions every week). The fact that there is a nodule on my prostate is not good and the urologist said that I am in the 'grey' area as opposed to white for good and black for cancer.
I have my fingers crossed but am pretty scared about the future at this moment in time.
Hi Steve, no reason to be scared. Nothing you can do about it. I had a regular physical in Jan of this year and found that my PSA went from 3.2 a year ago to 9.4 this year. Had another blood test to see if it was a fluke. Second blood test was 9.7 so had a proctol exam and Dr found lumps. Had a biopsy (18 samples) and came back 70%+ cancerous. So now I have done colonoscopy, bone scan, and PET scan to see if it has spread outside the prostate. Had consultations with urologist and chemotherapist and radiologist. My Gleason number is 7 so aggressive cancer. I am meeting with my PCP next week to determine course of action, but I am leaning towards radical prostatectomy as I do not want it coming back. I am 10 years older than you with NO family history. So I will lose sperm and fluids but still have erections. Orgasims with nothing ejected. But you know, it is what it is. Good luck and maybe your's will just be benign. Chuck
Hi Steve. Please try not to be scared. You may have found it early enough to have a good outcome. I am 54 and last year after going to the doctors numerous times with back, groin and hip pain, I was eventually diagnosed with advanced aggressive PCa. My dad died too from PCa. The fact that I had bone pain symptoms made me realise that it was probably too late. Just keep strong and resolute and try not to worry too much. Very best wishes Steve. Kevin
Thanks for the words of support Kevin I really need a lift. I am out in the Middle East without my wife and family and this is tough enough without having to deal with it alone. Next step for me is PSA and then possibly biopsy.
No problem Steve, we are here to help. Try and get the PSA test done as soon as you can, that may alleviate some of the worry. Take care and best wishes.
Being out in the Middle East I am on a medical insurance package so just waiting for the doc to write a report to the insurance company to give the go ahead for PSA etc. Pain but I will post again when I have some further news.
When having the blood draw for the PSA check, make sure the order includes determining your free-PSA percentage. If that percentage comes back under 10, I biopsy should be performed because that percentage is a pre-biopsy indication that prostate cancer is in development. A percentage above 10 up to 25 is somewhat a gray area and the tendency of physicians are to recommend biopsy the lower the percentage is between 10 and 25.
Hi mate iam 54 and found out 5 weeks ago I have PC my PSA was 7.5 and Gleeson score of 4+3 not agressive but not the slowest either, mine is currently contained in the prostate which yours maybe as well my doctor told me that once the Prostate is removed I have a 75-80% chance it may never come back but of course there are no guarantees so heres hopinv you are in the same boat, having said this guys are still living 15yrs or more with the treatments available, I was upset and scared as well but I am coming to terms with it now and talking to family and friends helps. Ive got my operation on Tuesday so here is hoping.
Thanks for the words of support, I really need a lift. I am out in the Middle East without my wife and family and this is tough enough without having to deal with it alone. Next step for me is PSA and then possibly biopsy.
I agree with the three respondents to your post that you should be concerned but do not become over-worried about the future. I am a survivor of Gleason 3 + 4, with a brother with 4+5 and father that had PCa. You don't say what where the outcome of your bone scan, and other tests. You have a 70% cancerous prostate. That is 70% of cores where cancerous. The question is what were the individual percentages. One of my 9 out of 24 were cancerous. Only two significantly cancerous with the worst 85% cancerous. I had proton beam radiation in Seoul, South Korea in 2013 and am still in good nick.
I would ask for a mpMRI which will identify the actual tumours in your prostate. Today, I would do this and then consider having focal laser ablation (FLA) or HIFU to get rid of the dangerous tumours. Dr Dan Sperling is the world leader in FLA. Prof Mark Emberton of UCL is the UK - based world leader in HIFU.
I am a regular speaker at PCa Support Groups In Australia and am the author of a best selling book available via Amazon. Please be aware that about 25 to 35% of radical prostatectomy patients relapse. Nerve sparing is not certain even with the Da Vinci system.
Hope this all helps. Bear in mind I am not a medical doctor.
You have overlapped my initial post with some of the responses. I am only just back from a DRE which identified a nodule on the prostate, I have not yet had a PSA or any other type of test for further screening so it is very early for me but I am still worried.
Waiting to get word from my insurer that I can continue with the required tests which is only a formality but may take a day or two. Once this is granted I expect that I will be given an ultra-sound and a PSA test and from there who knows. Fingers crossed for me at this stage.
Thanks very much for the advice though it is good to know that there are WLL informed people out there to help.
Hi Steve my husband was told he had prostate cancer last March his psa was 46 and 2 weeks later it was 52 his biopsy showed that 12 out of the 14 taken were cancerous he had his prostate removed in may 2015 he was a bit poorly for a couple of weeks but was very positive he also had radiotherapy because the cancer he had was very aggressive . After all this his psa was 0.04 he has days when he's pretty tired but he's ok it knocked us for 6 but it is manageable so remember that. My husband was 60 when he found out and was very fit that's why they gave him the choice of having it removed . It is a long Rd but it's worth it xx
Thanks Pat I appreciate the support. Hopefully when I have had further tests the results will be ok. Fingers crossed time. Sadly for me I am on my own working out in the Middle East so it is tough without wife and family at times like this.
My OH had a nodule/enlarged prostate in 2004 and had an op to sort it out. Ten years later he started having a few problems but because of his previous op his GP kept an eye on him and he had PSA tests annually until 2014 when they seemed to go up a bit. After a few more tests he was referred to our local hospital and they did a biopsy which found a very small cancer and it was decided to opt for active surveillance. In the meantime, Guys Hospital, who oversee our local hospital, decided that they wanted him to have a template biopsy which would take more samples. This found a slightly higher percentage (0.3%) of cancer but it was low grade and so active surveillance was again suggested. He's had MRIs, due another one next month, and his PSA is tested every 3-6 months. Although it rose slightly in October last year they are still just keeping an eye on it, but they always listen to our queries about treatment and side effects etc and have said if he wants more radical treatment they would give it to him, but for us the side effects from that outweighs the possibility of the cancer spreading. He is being closely monitored and we are upbeat and positive about it all. He will be 65 next month and apart from the fact that he has erection problems (which are being dealt with) he is doing brilliantly.
The main thing is to try not to worry, I know that can be hard, but this is one of the cancers that can be dealt with and has excellent results. Good luck with your tests and don't forget your family will be your best support (I go with my OH to his appointments).
Thanks very much for the support, it is early days yet and I still do not know where I am with the problem. I will post an update once I have had further tests (still waiting for my insurance company to give the ok)
Steve
Learn to adjust, you have a different life now. It's not so bad, I have done chemo and lupron, etc.
My symphathy, as I found the worst part is the waiting for results. After diagnosis I felt (at 80) this was it, but there are constant improvements in treatment and medication and, after the first fright of discovering you actually do have Prostate cancer I found the medical team(s) that looked after me just excellent. I am also a member of my regional prostate support group and I would recommend joining as you learn a lot - medically - and share other people's experiences. My psa at diagnosis was 42 and with treatment has fallen (over the last number of 3 monthly checks) to 0.13, gratifying to say the least!
I have few side effects, the occasional hot-sweat from the hormone injections (3 monthly) and the loss of sexual activity is more psychological than a physical problem ie; "not feeling a proper man" . . .
Hi Steve. I fully understand your fear (need I say panic) when learning that prostate cancer is a possibility when it hits home. I am 72 years old, and had radical prostatectomy about twenty years ago. Elevated PSA and questionable DRE ultimately led to routine yearly biopsies (during the summers, i am a retired teacher) for three years in a row. The third summer's biopsy came back positive in two quadrants. Twenty years ago, there were not as many choices for treatment as there are today. I opted for radical prostatectomy, with no follow up chemo or radiation as the area surrounding were clear. Yes, there were disadvantages to radical surgery, ...catheter for a few weeks, incontinence that got better over time, erections that also improved since the nerves were spared, no ejaculate (saves on Kleenex😊), but strong orgasms. Personally, I feel that early detection is THE key, and it seems like you are headed in the right direction. People will tell you not to worry...an attempt to put your mind at ease...but for me, been there, done that, and it's natural for us to want to protect and control our bodies. Hang in there, Steve, depending on your results, there will be many options available. Feel free to write, and keep us posted. Paul
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