New to group, usually don’t join groups that would have me as a member
Have not been diagnosed yet, but have had an MRI with these results: T2 hypointense lesion in the right peripheral zone with diffusion adnormality- size .7, BPH with gland volume 40 cc, no pelvic lymphadenopathy or suspicious lesions, total PI-RADS Score 4, latest PSA 2.5 down from 6.0 7 months ago.
Meet with doctor on Monday, anyone give some insights on these numbers? Thanks guys, best to all!
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I actually had thought of that. If my PSA is low and the lesion is small, would it make sense to monitor and then do surgery or radiation if PSa level increases or lesion grows?
I underwent radical robotic prostatectomy just last Monday (May 1st 2023). I feel great and am happy with my prognosis and surgical outocome.
I had a needle biopsy in Dec 2022 that indicated a Gleeson 7 tumor in my left apical region. I quickly opted for prostatectomy given my age (56) and tumor aggressiveness.
My 3T MRI sounded similar to yours, to translate:
T2 = Organ Contained
Hypointense legion = area of interest ( tumor)
Right peripheral zone = location in prostate
No pelvic lymphoadenopathy = no indication of spread to pelvic lymph nodes
Suspicious legions = tumors
Your MRI is describing an organ contained prostatic tumor. That is good news. No indication of localized metastisis.
In my case my MRI was very similar to yours and very accurate.
The curveball for me was this: after removal pathology found my Gleeson 7 (4+3) was actually a Gleeson 9 (4+5). So my inaccuracy was with the needle biopsy.
So tests are just that and can have diagnostic inaccuracies. I was 2 mm away from capsular breach, which would have been game over for me.
My prognosis now is excellent with a PT2N0 pathology stage (pathology confirmed, organ contained, no lymphoadenopathy). So pathology confirmed my MRI, but altered my biopsy Gleeson score. Now I await my 6 week post-op PSA to assess micro-metastatic disease.
My advice to you is to be decisive. Diagnostics can be inaccurate. You really don’t know what you have so long as it is still in your body.
Only you can decide the right course of action for yourself. Just keep in mind that any data they give you from diagnostics could have inaccuracies. Take the data you are given, don’t delay, make your decision, then move swiftly on your goal.
In the end I am glad I made the decision I did. My tests said I had time. I did not. I was perhaps 3-4 months from terminal T4 disease. I was damn lucky.
Frankenstrat: did you take a decipher or prolaris genetic test after your biopsy to test for aggressiveness?
Your post is very uplifting and you gave wise and common sense guidance for initial aggressive treatment. Thank you and best of luck. You are still a young man and I hope that you have a very long and happy journey ahead of you!
Lots to consider. mathew61 I didn't see where you mentioned your age.
QOL: Quality of Life is a significant consideration - but age may dictate different definitions for QOL.
For example: Those who have prostatectomies have a higher incidence of permanent Erectile Dysfunction. (permanent means not recoverable and not treatable by common meds.) So for some (I'll assume on the younger side), having erectile function would be very important. For some who can be open to change sexual intimacy can be had without intercourse.
Insurance (the bugaboo of US medecine can close some doors.
Lengthy treatments or treatments at distance are not possible for some according to the complexity of their lives.
With uncertain Prostate Cancer indicators, active waiting used to be an approach, but there is more use of Active Surveillance (might mean regular PSA's and intermittent biopsies ) treatment only when indicator indicate advancing disease.
The PSMA PET scan is a last three year development. Can mean first look diagnostic for PCa spread, but can also be used as a part of Active Surveillance if numbers change.
My own history: increasing PSA's over multiple years (like +~1 per year)
2019 PSA at 8.18 (but should have been doubled due to finasteride (BPH med).
Medium quality MRCI showing anterior (front) lesion (not detectable by Digital Rectal Exam.
Nov 2019 fusion (MRI and ultrasound guided) biopsy at Mayo Clinic Rochester showing Gleason 4+3. I was 69 years old.
I opted for PBT proton beam treatment at Mayo Rochester and had the five treatment protocol (including SpaceOar insertion) Jan/Feb 2020.
I started on flomax while under treatment and still take it daily to get good emptying of my bladder. Perhaps some irritation to my bowel - but seems ok with some modification in my eating habits.
I say that I am in remission and that I hope it stays that way for the rest of my life.
There is an urge (by some) to say "Get that sh_t out of me" but it is worth looking at the various treatment options (not always offered by urologist surgeons).
It may be worth saying that Prostate Cancer treatment is a moving target. 10 year old studies comparing side effects, recurrence, do not, typically, reflect the changes in the method of delivery that is currently available.
Checkout the resources of the Prostate Cancer Foundation (while ignoring their tepid comments about Proton Beam Treatment). The Prostate Cancer Research Institute has an amazing series of well presented videos available on YouTube.
Jim -
Lots to think about here. I have biopsy scheduled for early June. Doc is somewhat optimistic saying 50/50 whether the darkened lesion on MRI is cancer. I am 62 and am in good health otherwise so the surgical route might not be a good option for me. Doc says at this point with lowering PSA’s to 2.5, smaller lesion at 7 mm and whatever is there appears to be contained to prostate not to worry until there is something to worry about that comes in from the biopsy. He said even if it comes back positive that monitoring may be our best option until lesion grows or PSA rises. Thanks for sharing your story. Sounds like you have a solid well thought out plan. Best to you!
I cannot agree more with your assessment. For me, leaving the cancer in my body and relying on diagnostic tools was far too dangerous. When assessing my life going forward, concerns of erectile dysfunction were well below my concerns around having to deal with metastasized cancer. I chose the most aggressive approach and had my radical prostatectomy November 2022. FYI - I am currently 57 years old. There is still a 20% chance of reoccurrence, but for me, having the cancerous prostate/seminal vesicles out of my body gives me peace of mind going forward.
However, everyone is different and we all have unique goals in life. Thus, I respect all paths chosen. For me, Mayo-Rochester was awesome. I came into my initial appointment with a decision to do a radical prostatectomy, if I had cancer. However, my medical team made sure to explain all options in depth, including risks/advantages/disadvantages.
Good luck to all!!