Connect
← Return to Second Opinions in Prostate Cancer
Discussion
Second Opinions in Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: 10 hours ago | Replies (27)Comment receiving replies
I was diagnosed with PC last August, shortly after turning 51. My PSA was at 6.8, MRI, followed by MRI guided Transrectal biopsy found 2 sections with cancer, both Gleason 3+3. The doctor who performed the biopsy suggested active surveillance, but didn't adequately answer some questions i had, so i sought a second opinion. I went to the Mayo, where all of my results were reviewed and "mostly" agreed upon. There were a couple of things about the MRI results that the Mayo had concerns with. In March, 2024, i had an MRI at the Mayo, followed by an MRI guided transperineal biopsy. The results: The mayo confirmed the 2 sections with Gleason 3+3, but found 2 more sections where they were 3+4, one of which 'may' have (or is trying to) extend outside of the capsule... So it's no longer active surveillance for me. Due to my age, radiation isn't an option, as it could cause problems later in life, so i will be undergoing Robotic assisted radical prostatectomy next week. One day before my 52nd birthday (yep, that'll be a birthday to remember). Had i opted not to get a second opinion, and stayed with active surveillance, who knows where I'd be in a year or two. Hopefully it'll be determined that everything was contained within the prostate, and i can close this chapter in my journey through life. I'll update with my results in the future.
Replies to "I was diagnosed with PC last August, shortly after turning 51. My PSA was at 6.8,..."
Thanks for sharing this. I'm 51 and just got confirmation of diagnosis (i.e., after PSA of 7.5, MRI showing suspicious growths, and biopsy results just coming in) and doctor recommends surgery as the only option he supports. I had thought targeted radiation might be an option, but sounds like based on my age and loss of options if I go the radiation route that this is the best direction of travel. It's bilateral with 3 + 4 =7 (group 2) on one side and 3 + 3 =6 (group 2) on the other side.
Not sure I have specific questions right now but if there is something I should be asking please tell me.
This came as a shock to me (but it's not like I knew much going into this) but after 24 hours I had really started to process that first and foremost now I am a cancer patient - not just a guy with a prostate problem.
Connect
Thank you for joining our group and welcome. Sorry about your diagnosis. You were wise to seek out a second opinion, especially at Mayo. Based on my personal experience I agree that RP is a smarter option than RT given your age and the fact that there are four lesions and possible EPE to deal with. In contrast, based on a single mapping biopsy and an MRI, I did not seek a second opinion and as a result significant high risk disease was missed that may have been discovered after a second biopsy.
There likely will be some short-term challenges ahead like partial urinary incontinence and ED. I suggest you read up on doing heels to strengthen your pelvic floor and start those as soon as possible. That will go along way towards getting you on a fast track for continence. As for issues related to ED, you can check with your surgeon to see if he plans on doing nerve sparing RP, which again will go along way towards restoring sexual health and quality life.
There’s a lot of great information on this Forum. It’s an amazing resource and I hope you find it as helpful as I have found it to be if you can’t find the answer to a question you have you can always start a new thread, but you’ll be surprised at how much is already out there!
Best wishes to you for a successful operation and becoming cancer free.