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Positive margins - Now what?

Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Mar 20 10:36am | Replies (19)

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@heavyphil

Perineural invasion is a frequent finding; it used to be thought that it indicated a more aggressive tumor - similar to cribriform/intra-ductal findings.
However, research has shown that it simply quantifies the spread of malignant cells laterally toward the nerves. I had it in almost every core in my biopsy. I did wind up with salvage radiation 5 yrs after surgery but not all men do.
What’s strange to me is how low your tumor volume is - yet it shows PNI and positive margins. The tumor formed in just the right place (wrong, actually) to put you in a possible salvage radiation situation.
It would be helpful to know your Decipher - or similar - Score to give you an idea of what path you should take.
But it’s also been shown that men who have radiation years after surgery (provided they’ve been closely monitored) have the same outcomes as those radiated right after surgery.
So you DO have plenty of time to heal, relax and monitor PSA’s going forward before you really need to do anything. Best,
Phil

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Replies to "Perineural invasion is a frequent finding; it used to be thought that it indicated a more..."

Thank you, Phil; that's very helpful. I had my catheter out yesterday, and the PA at that meeting indicated that they don't think it's a big concern. I'll discuss this with my urologist when I meet with him in the first week of May. I feel very fortunate the way things turned out in that the volume of cancer in my prostate was low and that positive margin is grade 3. I did read a study where they compared adjuvant radiation therapy with salvage radiation at a later date, and, as you stated, outcomes are similar. I resolve to remain vigilant, but I'll compartmentalize this and not allow this disease to define my life going forward. Prayers and well wishes for everyone here and stay strong!