Connect
← Return to PSA "undetectible" for amost a year
Discussion
PSA "undetectible" for amost a year
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: 54 minutes ago | Replies (38)Comment receiving replies
@heavyphil
It's all confusing to me because up further in report it says:
Margin Status: Invasive carcinoma present at margin
Linear Length of Margin(s) Involved by Carcinoma: Less than 3 mm (limited)
So what margin are they talking about? One place says Margin Involvement by Invasive Carcinoma in Area of Extraprostatic Extension (EPE): Not identified then another says- Invasive carcinoma present at margin.
My guess is they took out fatty tissue around prostate, cancer had went through prostate in one spot <3mm into fatty tissue. However at the outside of that fatty tissue cut there wasn't anything? Maybe I can get some answers in next couple weeks, it's only been about 4 months, wouldn't want to rush them!
Replies to "@heavyphil It's all confusing to me because up further in report it says: Margin Status: Invasive..."
@diverjer
When a pathology report states "Invasive carcinoma present at margin" after a prostatectomy, it means the surgical margin is positive. Cancer cells are touching the outer edge (the inked border) of the tissue removed during the surgery. This indicates that microscopic cancer cells may have been left behind in the body, though it does not guarantee the cancer will return.
Many patients that have this report, never have the cancer come back.
Connect
@diverjer You are quite right in that it does sound confusing. It seems as if there was no carcinoma in the area of the EPE, where it might have been expected.
However, there was carcinoma present in another part of the surgical margin, where it wasn’t.
I think it is extremely important for you to get some clarity on this because it will give you insight as to what to expect going forward with your every three month PSA tests.
Ask your surgeon to explain to you in plain English what the report is saying: is there suspected cancer left behind or not?
I got rid of my surgeon, even though he was a renowned man in the field because he wouldn’t give me straight answers and treated me like he knew best, and I that I shouldn’t care, ask or worry about anything….
But we are not children and we must refuse to be treated as if we are.
If you can’t get a simple YES or NO from your doctor, that man/woman is in the wrong profession: they should be in Congress…
Phil