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

Just make sure your Gleason IS 3 + 4...and NOT 4 + 3...there is a difference!

I too had a Gleason 3+4=7. I opted for removal in early December. My pathology report confirmed the 3+4=7 and showed negative margins and no spread elsewhere so I'm optimistic. The pathology did show, however, perineural invasion (PNI) was present which reinforced for me that I made the right decision for removal. Based on my research PNI is the pathway for spreading so I'm very glad it's out vs. going on AS. This was only found on the whole gland pathology, not the biopsy.
As for side effects, everyone is different, but you can ask your surgeon whether they think you are a candidate for nerve sparing (ED) and the hood technique for reconstruction of the urethral complex (incontinence) as these can lead to more successful outcomes with respect to side effects. Here's a link to some info on the hood technique (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33067016/).

Best of luck on your decision, it's certainly not an easy one!

After my biopsy, I also had a Gleason score of 3+4=7 in two cores out of 14. After doing some research and talking with RP patients and 2 surgeons, I chose removal, which occurred in November. My pathology report came back with an actual Gleason score of 4+5=9. My post-PSA just came back recently at < 0.01. Hoping for more of the same in the future. My point is this: take whatever steps necessary to make sure your Gleason score is accurate. Otherwise, know your treatment options. BTW, my surgery went very well and I had NO incontinence issues. I did Kegel exercises religiously. Best of luck!

You don’t mention any other tests: Pet scan, biosps. I wouldn’t want to live knowing I have cancer in me.

I believe the Cleveland Clinic is also using this method.

Very interesting! This is the first I've heard of this approach. From what I just read online, it is an offlabel treatment for prostate cancer that has been approved for cancers in the liver and pancreas. It works by placing 3-5 needles around the tumor and generating a current between them during the interval when the heart is not beating (to avoid interfering with heart rhythms. As such, it works best when there is one or very few nodules of well-contained cancer cells, which could be a gleason 3+4.

How long YOU can live with Gleason 7 (3 + 4) prostate cancer depends on so many variables -- your age, fitness, pre-existing conditions, PSA, prostate size, stage of your cancer, nodal involvement, etc etc etc.

Anyway, educate yourself on Active Surveillance:

A few recommendations. 1. Review videos from Prostate Cancer Research Institute on Gleason 7.
2. PSA each 6 months
3. Have an oncologist you trust and collaborate on your care.
4. Each person's Cancer is unique. General information is helpful but you really need good medical advice specific to you.

Hi!

I had the IRE done at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa Florida. Dr. Julio Pow-Sang was my surgeon. I have been very impressed with the doctors, staff and facilities at Moffitt.

Hi:

Where is Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) done? Never heard of this one.