Newly Diagnosed and Need Help
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.
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@colleenyoung Good I guess. We are going to do active surveillance.
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Hug
1 Reaction@wheel1 Thank you.
@cygnus Hello My name is Rob, I am a patient with the Mayo Clinic. Although active surveillance is a choice that suites you, I would strongly encourage you to get an appt with Dr Kwon and really take a hard look at the treatments avaible that will afford you best chance at complete remission. My Gleason scores when I was first diagnosed was 4+3=7, there weren't any fancy decipher numbering back then. My PSA had routinely been in the 2 range, in one year, it doubled to a 5.2, that started this journey. I choose biopsies and removal. Looking back at my case and my age, and the drug and pretreatment options that are out there, I may not have become metatstatic. I am now in the beginnings of castration resistance. I have been on hormones now for almost 10 years, pretty much continuous. I have had bony lesions and mainly lymphatic system involvement. Watch and wait to me with your Gleason scores, not decipher, but pure fact of the grade, I would seek Dr Kwons guidance. I have also always had a hard time with a Urologist quaterbacking my Prostate Cancer. It's a weird world with Prostate Cancer. An analogy, ob/gyn handling breast cancer? Does that make sense? Anyway, best wishes on your journey! I pray for your health and for a long healthy life.
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1 ReactionI would also consider blood biopsies before physical biopsies. To me its a good indicator of undetectable metasis, if you have no circulating tumor DNA, well thats good and your not poking a hornets nest. Just a thought too.
If my PSA increases or the MRI shows something new I will definitely seek treatment. I'm 75. My Decipher score was sort of OK. We will see. Thanks for your reply.