My Gleason score is 7 - 3+4. How long can I live without treatment?

I think one would need more info like number of cores positive and % in positive cores. Was biopsy random or MRI guided? Can you tell us?

Just a single core MRI guided biopsy with less than 20% volume may give you 20 years. I am no expert however. Truth is nobody knows.

Interesting research paper with correlation between PSA, GGG and chances of metastasis here:

Can't post link but google "Prediction of metastatic prostate cancer by prostate-specific antigen in combination with T stage and Gleason Grade: Nationwide, population-based register study"

I think your real question should not be life expectancy but chances of metastatic progression. Maybe that is just me...

@ozelli, I noticed that you wished to post a URL to an article with your post. You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. There is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe. Clearly the link you wanted to post is not spam. Please allow me to post it for you.

- Prediction of metastatic prostate cancer by prostate-specific antigen in combination with T stage and Gleason Grade: Nationwide, population-based register study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6988964/

I was 48 when I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. I was Gleason grade 7 (3+4). I had robotic surgery to remove the gland. Now I am 64. I decided after surgery that if cancer returned, I would not seek any further treatment. I was followed by my Urologist after surgery and watched as my PSA slowly climbed from 0.03 to 1.5 within a few years. My Urologist recommended salvage radiation. I moved to another state for work and didn't find a new Urologist for follow up. I had my primary care physician order PSA tests instead and I tracked the results myself. I was very happy with my decision for the last 12 years. No treatment and no side effects. Last summer my PSA went from 4.0 to 7.0 and my doctor urged me to see a Urologist again. I didn't want further treatment if it was not going to lead to a cure. It seems that now with new therapies available it might be worth looking into my options again.

I had a PSMA pet scan that did not show cancer, but there was an undefined spot in the bladder. A biopsy confirmed that there was a lesion (Gleason 9 4+5). My Urologist has hopeful that with a treatment plan that included IMRT and ADT plus a second-generation Hormone agent there was still a high likelihood of a cure. So, I decided to give it another shot.

I don't believe you are wrong to want to avoid any treatment. I almost made that decision myself. I am hopeful that I could be cured, and I chose to take a risk because the side effects from cancer not being treated are worse. I think if you decided not to seek treatment you would have 15-20 years of survival, but who knows. It depends on a lot of things like your age, how large is the tumor and any other health conditions you may have.

Today there are so many more treatment options that it can all be overwhelming. I would recommend that you start with "active surveillance." This approach allows you to keep an eye on your cancer and decide on a treatment when you are ready for that next step. You can research focal therapies that target the tumor but spare the surrounding structures. You may be a candidate for SBRT (a shorter course of radiation) or Brachytherapy (radioactive seeds implanted permanently or temporarily) or other types of focal therapies. Talk to your doctor. Seek a second opinion. There are many sources of information online that can guide you in your search.

I am attaching a video I hope it is helpful.

I was also diagnosed with Gleason 3+4. MRI showed tumor contained within prostate gland. Post operative biopsy told a different story as the PC had grown through outside of the prostate ( extraprostatic extension) on the microscopic level. Doctor said 70% chance of recurrence. Remember the original biopsy only takes a few samples and it's not uncommon for Gleason scored to be raised after surgical biopsy. ( they could also be lower) As far as longevity, there's no Crystal ball with PC. Even if one lives many years before dying from PC, I can only imagine the last few years would not be pleasant. I personally would not ignore your Gleason 4. I wish you well.

I had 3+4 and 4+3 Gleasons. I also had a PSMA scan which showed the cancer was confined to the Prostate. One of my doctors ( I gathered so much information my head began to swim.) stated that radiation after a Prostatectomy is viable, but surgery after radiation is not as good/viable due to the effects of radiation on one’s body. For this and my other data gathered, plus reading Dr Patrick Walsh’s book on Surviving Prostate Cancer, I opted for the RALP. I did Pelvic Floor PT prior to and after surgery, guided by a woman, at a Baylor, Scott & White clinic in Austin, who was educated and trained to help men with Prostate Cancer. I had ZERO continence issues, NONE! The pathologist who examined my removed prostate stated the gland contained a cancer that WOULD HAVE SURVIVED radiation. By the way, after reviewing my documents and my thoughts, I told my Urologist I wanted the surgery. He said that, if it were him with my numbers, he would have made the same choice. (What a relief!) So, whatever path you choose, I sincerely wish you all the best!

Why gamble, get something done and if I had a radical prosectomy and five years later had to go back for a series of radiation treatments for a small spot where the prostate connects to the back of the body. Knowing what I know now, I would get radiation treatments, they have come a long way. It's scientifically done with precision accuracy and doubt that there is any side effect. At least I had none on the follow up radiation. Consult the Keiser Institute of the Beaufort Memorial Hospital to find out exactly what machine they use and then ask about the possible of side effects and the probability of them happening, Worry will kill you faster than prostate cancer.

I have nothing to add to the above comments, However I would just like to say THANK YOU to everyone out there for sharing their stories. It has given me some confidence in my decision to have surgery first and then have radiation later on, if necessary. I have surgery next month for regional metastatic PC. I have been doing my pelvic floor work everyday for a month . And hoping for the best.

A lot depends on your age. I was 73 this year when my 4-3 was found. If I get 16 years like you before it comes back I will be 89 and more than likely dead from something other than PC.

I was diagnosed stage 1, intermediate 4+3/7. I had one core genetically test for aggressiveness and just being over the line to bad, I was ruled out for surgery, brachytherapy. That left high/low dose radiation. I decided on proton hdr, with SpaceOar Gel and hormone treatments. I finished a month ago and am doing well. The shots were a bitch but only received 3, two Firmagon one Eligard. My high dose treatments were 5 sessions. I follow up in August. Side effects are diarrhea, ED and dry orgasms. I could have took the wait and see, however my surgeon and oncologist both said to treat instead of not and wondering. I’m hoping my side effects will subside as the drugs work their way out. I wish you well. Get Walshes book, Surviving prostate cancer and read it, it will help and lays out all your options.