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

I’d want confirmation regarding metastastis via MRI or PSMA PET scan. I was diagnosed Gleason 7 (3+4, 4+3) and PET showed spread into nearby lymph nodes. I (now 73) was told my anticipated lifespan would be shortened without treatment. I had radiation and am prescribed ADT for 24 months. It is definitely life changing but survivable.

I originally had a MRI and biopsy that were negative. I had a second MRI 7 years later, again negative. I decided on a second biopsy which showed two cores of cancer, one at 3+4. I decide on surgery. My pathology report came back as 4+5, not 3+4. So far, cancer free. 🤞🙏My advice is to make SURE your scores are accurate. Mine weren’t and was glad I had it removed. I hope this helps. Best wishes. 🤞

Hello, you left the Gleason 6 on half your prostate.. How did that go? My doctor recommends leaving the 6 on mine since the MRI didn`t pick it up and am doing TULSA...

I`m a little uneasy about it..

I'm 78 and had a 7-4+3 and two at 6. My Dr. told me I had a 100% chance to live 5 more yrs. and a 70% chance to live another 10 yrs. doing nothing. After my PSA continued to increase I chose the TULSA PRO procedure and I'm very pleased with my decision. I had this worry hanging over me about the cancer progressing. Now my worry is about it returning but I don't dwell on it. I've know three friends who died from PC. They all waited too long or did nothing.

In short, my 2nd biopsy showed two cores of cancer, one at 3+4. This was after a second MRI showed nothing. I decided on removal. Everything went fine with ZERO incontinence. However, my pathology report indicated the core was 4+5. My point: even the tests proved inaccurate. Do everything you can to make sure that your G score is accurate! Best wishes

@plam, are you also dealing with a prostate cancer diagnosis?

I understand your concerns, and I want to share my personal journey. After being diagnosed with a Gleason 7, 4+3, and undergoing radical prostatectomy in 2020, I discovered the cancer had spread to my bladder. Despite this, my PSA levels remained undetectable for three years. However, 18 months ago, I was diagnosed with lymph node metastasis. The ADT treatment I received has caused significant side effects, and while my T-levels are still normal, my PSA is gradually increasing.

After careful consideration, I have chosen to pause treatment and adopt a watch-and-wait approach. This decision is deeply personal, influenced by my individual experiences, overall health, and faith. I am not here to discourage anyone from seeking treatment; rather, I emphasize the importance of making a choice that aligns with your own circumstances and values.

Example and everybody is different. Mine (68 1/2 years aged) : Discovered 01/23 (scratch) 3+3=6 - started surveillance.
08/2023 second poke and hope biopsy stated benign (PSA levels continued to rise)
12/2024 third biopsy - URONAV (3d rendering with MRI) - 4+3=7 (agrresive unfavorable, 2 cores out of 12 - 40% of each core.)
Now disccussing treatment. Did not know lesion was only 5% of prostate - regardless. PSA level 11.4
04/24 - opted for RP. Pathology - cancer free. Prostate showed a small area (tiny) starting at 5 for gleason 8.
Another two years it would have spread to pelvis most likely. Advancing fairly rapid.
Now cancer free (lympth nodes, surrounding vessels, and no cancer outsideof prostate bulb.
Others go on for years and years and years sometimes before treatment and others die from something else.
Personal decision. Some cannot afford anything and travel to different countries for castration (testosterone removal). I was placed on Casodex for 2 months prior to surgery to stop the testosterone (androgen) fuel and it worked. My goal is to live forever 🙂

Great comments!
Thank you.

See my post here
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-to-ask-radiation-oncologist/?pg=2#comment-1302190