Newly Diagnosed and Need Help

Posted by cygnus @cygnus, 1 day ago

First, I would like to extend my appreciation to all those who contribute to this site. I have been an observer ever since I was diagnosed and now have to decide what to do. I would appreciate your insights. I am 75, my wife died from glioblastoma and I moved to PA from FL to help my daughter who is paralyzed on the left side from 2 strokes (genetic veinous interference.) So I have a reason to live. I’m in great shape and work out 4 times a week. No co-morbidities.

This all started sort of cavalierly I insisted on a PSA test with my PCP on 3/15/26. 2 years prior is was 3.7, most recently it was 6.1. His comment was “what would you do if you had PC?” My response was “depends on the score.” Referred to a urologist, insisted on an MRI and that came back PiRads-4 on 4/12/26. Results below. The urologist recommended a biopsy, got it on 5/10/26.) Results on 6/1/26. See below:

My question is, what should I do from here? I plan on a second opinion on the pathology, most likely from John Hopkins, but assuming the initial pathology is correct, what do people think is my best path forward?

I have access to John’s Hopkins, UPMC and UPENN. They are all commutable.

Biopsy:

1. Prostate, right posterior medial, biopsy:
Prostatic adenocarcinoma, Gleason score 3+3=6 (Grade Group: 1), involving 2 of 3 core biopsies.
The carcinoma involves the cores with total linear lengths of 1 mm (10%), and 4 mm (20%), respectively (approximately 10% of the entire tissue submitted).

2. Prostate, right posterior lateral, biopsy:
Prostatic adenocarcinoma, Gleason score 3+3=6 (Grade Group: 1), involving 3 of 4 core biopsies.
The carcinoma involves the cores with total linear lengths of 5 mm (30%), 6 mm (60%), and 1 mm (10%), respectively (approximately 20% of the entire tissue submitted).

3. Prostate, right base, biopsy:
Benign prostatic tissue, no tumor present.

4. Prostate, right anterior medial, biopsy:
Benign prostatic tissue, no tumor present.

5. Prostate, right anterior lateral, biopsy:
Prostatic adenocarcinoma, Gleason score 3+3=6 (Grade Group: 1), involving 2 of 4 core biopsies.
The carcinoma involves the cores with total linear lengths of 1 mm (10%), and <1 mm (5%), respectively (approximately 10% of the entire tissue submitted).

6. Prostate, left posterior medial, biopsy:
Benign prostatic tissue, no tumor present.

7. Prostate, left posterior lateral, biopsy:
Benign prostatic tissue, no tumor present.

8. Prostate, left base, biopsy:
Benign prostatic tissue, no tumor present.

9. Prostate, left anterior medial, biopsy:
Benign prostatic tissue, no tumor present.

10. Prostate, left anterior lateral, biopsy:
Prostatic adenocarcinoma, Gleason score 3+3=6 (Grade Group: 1), involving 20% of 1 of 3 core biopsies.
The total linear length of carcinoma is 2 mm in the core.

11. Prostate,Right middle prostate sole left, biopsy:
Prostatic adenocarcinoma, Gleason score 3+3=6 (Grade Group: 1), involving 4 of 4 core biopsies.
The carcinoma involves the cores with total lengths of 10 mm (80%), 12 mm (discontinuous, 80%), 2 mm (20%), and 5 mm (50%) (approximately 60% of the entire tissue submitted).

MRI:
Impression
PI-RADS version 2.1 Score: 4 , high probability of prostate
cancer in the right posterolateral peripheral zone midgland.
No evidence of extraprostatic extension. Differential
diagnosis also includes sequelae of infectious/inflammation.
Findings to be relayed and documented by Teleradiology
assistant to the referring physician. A notice that an
imaging finding is present on this exam which may require
follow up will be sent to the patient.
Narrative
EXAM:
MRI PROSTATE WITHOUT AND WITH CONTRAST
HISTORY:
Elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA).
PSA value: 6.4 ng/mL
COMPARISON:
CT abdomen and pelvis May 2024
TECHNIQUE:
Multiparametric prostate MRI utilizing standard sequences
in three orthogonal planes without and with intravenous
contrast.
CONTRAST: 8.2 mL Vueway intravenously.
FINDINGS:
PROSTATE:
Volume: 3.1 x 4.4 x 4.5 cm for a volume of 32.1 mL, PSA
density is 0.2 ng/mL/cc based on ellipsoid calculations.Quality: Good
Hemorrhage: None
Peripheral zone: Diffuse linear and wedge-shaped hypo
intensities.
Transition zone: Moderate heterogeneity consistent with
prostatic hyperplasia.
Lesion 1:
Location: Right posterolateral peripheral zone midgland
image 15 series 1007, 1008, image 17 series 801
Size: 5 mm
T2: Moderate T2 hypointense area
DWI: Focus of positive restricted diffusion
DCE: Mildly positive
Prostate margin: Abuts the prostate margin for less than 2
cm.
Lesion overall PI-RADS 2.1 category: 4
PELVIS:
Neurovascular bundles: No evidence of involvement is
identified.
Seminal Vesicles: Unremarkable.
Lymph Nodes: No lymphadenopathy.
Urinary Bladder: Unremarkable.
Osseous Structures: Unremarkable.
Other: Trace bilateral fat containing inguinal hernias.

I greatly appreciate your feedback.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

I greatly appreciate the input everyone has provided and will be seeking additional expert evaluations from Cancer Centers of Excellence.

REPLY

Genetic test of biopsy sample: DECIPHER
AI comparison of biopsy slides: ARTERA
Analog review of MRI: Second look by eyeballs at Cancer Centers of Excellence (CCOE)
AI digital review of MRI: $258.00 if no approval of insurance DeepViewImaging.com
PROSTOX oral swab genetic test: $900 if ins neg. If contemplating external beam radiation ['EBRT']('types: SBRT 5 (-7) visits, IMRT: Mod. hypofraction..20x, Conventional fract...30-40 visits. The test determines the risk of DELAYED (months to yrs.) of urinary symptoms. Acute symptoms post EBRT appear similarly and resolve over time w or w/o symptomatic drugs.

External beams have to be at suboptimal doses as they go through healthy adjacent tissues. By contrast Internal radiation sources in the form of brachytherapy is not so limited. Low dose interstitial radiotherapy/ permanent 'seeds'/ LDR brachytherapy provide a low dose but over time has a higher effective dose. The seeds work for weeks to months. All that is left are inert titanium cylinders the size of rice. They will show up on x-rays like surgical clips and dental implants. Given it's lower reimbursement 'LDR-B' has dropped in USA usage from 17% to 7%; whereas it is increasing in Europe. The data show it is superior than surgery and external radiation 10-15 years out in appropriately selected gland contained disease. To give you a background on LDR-brachytherapy see the You-Tube videos on the subject; Brachytherapy-101 and a later one too.

REPLY
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