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I just had RARP on 10/29. Looking for advice on recurrence of PSA

Posted by shayes914 @shayes914, Nov 4, 2025

Biopsy beforehand said I was Gleason 4+3. Pathology came back last night - turns out it was actually 4+5 = 9. One of the tumors (the one scoring 9) breached the capsule but the seminal vesicles and lymph nodes were clear and they got negative margins all around. I also had a negative PET a couple of months ago so seems like we may have gotten it removed not a day too soon, but I am concerned because the surgeon says it's 50/50 chance on recurrence within 5 years. We will test PSA every 3 months for 2 years. Has anyone on here had similar circumstance? Did you end up having secondary treatment? was very hopeful this is one and done, but I'm grateful it wasn't worse at the same time. Even if it comes back, he says we have 90% chance of 15 yr survival with secondary treatment.
By the way, for those facing RARP in the future, the procedure itself and the recovery so far is not so bad. I hate the catheter but otherwise feel good. Just hard to sleep on back, changing bags, leakage, etc. are uncomfortable. Once that comes out on Thursday, I begin addressing the other two big quality of life functions. Wish me luck!

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davederousseau | @davederousseau | Nov 18, 2025
In reply to @jeffmarc "@davederousseau You want to find out whether or not it was large cribriform. That is the..." + (show)
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@davederousseau
You want to find out whether or not it was large cribriform. That is the one that’s most aggressive.

Yes, a Gleason 10 is VERY aggressive. There is a high chance of reoccurrence with that. You want to definitely make sure you get PSA tests no less than every three months, for a couple of years. And less frequently after that. You don’t want to stop that testing.

I had a Gleason 4+3 and my cancer came back after 3 1/2 years.

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@jeffmarc
Thanks, Jeff. Tracking all. Doc was very upfront about the prognosis and initial more-frequent testing…and for my lifetime. We did not discuss the cribriform beyond noting its presence, as my cancer is already at high risk for returning. It doesn’t change the testing approach, just further highlights the necessity. I plan to stay present here and will post as the “adventure” continues.

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 18, 2025
In reply to @beshoe66 "You just describe my circumstances to a T 4+3 then after surgery final biopsy 5+4 level..." + (show)
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You just describe my circumstances to a T 4+3 then after surgery final biopsy 5+4 level 9 surgery was 5 weeks ago yesterday it had shown in the pet scan confined to prostate, but two months later when surgery occurred it had grown outside of the prostate into the bed margins were negative, but I’m like you concerned about reoccurrence.

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@beshoe66, how is recovery from surgery going? Will you be having additional treatment?

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beshoe66 | @beshoe66 | Nov 19, 2025
In reply to @colleenyoung "@beshoe66, how is recovery from surgery going? Will you be having additional treatment?" + (show)
Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

@beshoe66, how is recovery from surgery going? Will you be having additional treatment?

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@colleenyoung Recovery from the surgery has went pretty well, a few ups and downs, l will have follow up PSA test in about 3 weeks that will determine what comes next, my surgeon was optimistic that we got it all in time, but we’ll see, side effects of the surgery are as unpleasant as expected lol.

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