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Am I Under-Reacting to my Prostate Cancer Proposed Treatment?
I just had a post-Fusion Biopsy follow-up with my Urologist. I have two lesions of interest. The first lesion is rated a Gleason 3+3=6. The second lesion is rated 4+3=7 with Cribriform Pattern 4 present. I also have a enlarged Prostate. My last PSA was 9.2. The doctor pushed that I should take immediate action and wanted to consult with the robotic Prostatectomy surgeon and a Radiation Oncologist. He also mentioned Hormone therapy. He said I was not a candidate for Focus therapy, Brachytherapy, or Cryotherapy. This is a life changing decision. Is my Urologist's push for immediate action warranted or do I have time to explore other options/opinions?
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I have not dealt with that issue yet, but Anti-androgens are typically reserved for advanced stages of prostate cancer like when cancer has spread to other parts of the body. I am just 2 days out of RARP and we will wait 3 months to recheck PSA and go from there.
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2 ReactionsI am 58 and had my first biopsy in 2017 which confirmed irregular cells, cancer, 3+3 however you like to define it. I was told in 2017 the Cancer Society no longer recommends removing the prostate for 3+3 and then asked if I wanted to schedule surgery. In 2023 an MRI showed two small lesions. One was confirmed by biopsy 3+4. I had to get permission from the doctors to do HIFU, as it requires more follow up than radiation or removal. The HIFU removed the small lesion and the irregular cells on one side of the prostate. My first PSA after HIFU showed normal for age 60 plus. I thought this was great because I am close to 60 and still have 3+3 on one side. The Doctor was concerned. The second PSA following surgery was normal for my current age. I ended up taking 28 days of an antibiotic from a prostate infection. Not sure if infection was from biopsy or HIFU or combination or I have always had it and it got worse. My regular Doctor thought I was fine. Without seeing me, my HIFU Doctor prescribed the antibiotics based on symptoms. Both of us have likely had cancer or irregular cells for decades. My doctor told me to take my time and there was no hurry. Next time you see your doctor just ask about the urgency of doing something.
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1 ReactionI would be more proactive👍👍
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1 ReactionMy husband is three weeks out from his RARP and he is doing really well. I hope you are as well. Hang in there. Each day gets better. ❤️🩹
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5 ReactionsEither take control of your health or it will take control of you!
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1 Reactionif cancer is in you, get it out.
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4 Reactions"if cancer is in you, get it out."
And if you can't, do everything you can to keep it sleeping and tip the odds in your favour.
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5 ReactionsHow old you are makes a big difference in which treatment you consider.
I took immediate action and I still had positive margins, which means that the cancer was present at the edge of what they could analyze after the surgery. I am sure I would make the same decision if I were looking at the data you have shared, and I would appreciate an MD who so advised.
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1 ReactionI recommend reading Dr. Walsh's Surviving Prostate Cancer to more thoroughly understand possible treatments. My personal choice for Gleason 3 + 3 with 10.5 PSA was Proton Beam Radiation at Mayo Clinic Rochester. Others choose RP or Brachy. One should NOT panic and make decisions out of fear.