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Previous Cancer survivior (cholangiocarcinoma) and now prostate cancer
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Mar 28 5:15pm | Replies (13)Comment receiving replies
This is something that I am having done as well. My cancer burden/ PSA score and Gleason scores are somewhat contradictory (low PSA score relative to burden/biopsy testing). I'm new to the lingo so hopefully I do not further complicate my case. Urologist said he wanted to send it out for DNA testing. My Gleason scores were 5 cores @7 with 4 of those cores as 3+4 and one at 4+3, and 4 cores at 3+3. PSA was 6.9. Regular MRI with contrast showed no cancer in the surrounding areas of the prostate including lymph nodes. Fusion biopsy confirmed this essentially. So, we re talking about clinically local cancer with my choice to have the prostate surgically removed. The only downfall for me (aged 56) is that he does not think nerve sparing surgery can be fully realized as one side of the prostate has the cancer cores lining the area where the nerves are while the other side of the prostate looks to be ok for the nerve sparing attempt.
I'm inclined to speak with the surgeon and see if he/she agrees with the urologist and if so getting a second opinion.
Replies to "This is something that I am having done as well. My cancer burden/ PSA score and..."
Your situation is very similar to mine. One side of the prostate was infected the other good. I elected to remove the prostate and lymph nodes. The robotic surgery is very accurate. No nerve damage at all. Everything removed successfully and fully recovered in 6 weeks. except the incontinence. It’s a very slow process to continence. I am at 9 weeks and still having some issues. 10 weeks was/is the target.
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You should, without any question whatsoever, get at least a few more opinions. Urologist, radiation oncologist, medical oncologist. I got 9 before I pulled the trigger.
The testing that your urologist sent your biopsy for is almost certainly Decipher, as the genetic test is a bit more involved than that and is taken outside of the biopsy. In my case it'll be about six months that I've waited to get in to see them because it's detailed and backlogged.
I was also told that I'd lose half my nerves, and I did not. They frankly don't know until they get in there. I am 54 and 7 weeks post-op, so we are very similar (feel free to message me privately if you want to talk about anything).
Your urologist isn't your surgeon? That's surprising. While I know some urologists specialize in things like penile therapy, it's unusual that the one planning your care isn't he one planning to perform the operation.