Connect
New here with prostate cancer.
Hello and thank you for being here. I am 75 years old and have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I have been reading posts here and anywhere else that has information about it.
I am getting use to most of the acronyms and abbreviations I read but not all of them. Is there a page that spells them out?
I have read that some people have 3+4=7 or 4+3=7. My biopsy shows both plus some kind of nerve invasion so does that make me a little different from others?
I also have had a psma pet scan that showed it has not spread past the prostate.
I have a doctors appointment Monday morning to go over everything but I’m not sure about what questions to ask about the different options regarding surgery or radiation as there seems to be options for both.
I am using the VA in San Francisco for my treatment if that helps you with any response you may have.
I am sure to have more questions after the appointment and I am very grateful for your help and support.
Jim Carr
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.
Connect
Hi Jim, I am with you! 20yr Air Force veteran
Desert Storm. When my PSA climbed to 5.1 ... 11-7-2023 the VA immediately wanted to do a trans-rectal Biopsy and remove my prostrate I said let me do some research. I felt very uncomfortable even talking with the VA Doctor! I fought with the VA to see a Urologist out side the VA for two years meanwhile my PSA continued its climb!
Finally got approved to see a Urologist and did the trans-rectal random Biopsy, I asked the Doctor what are the chances of finding anything he said 50/50 I regret doing it He also wanted to remove my prostrate After another year of MRI's & Pet-ct scans you could clearly see my Pirads 5 targets which the random Biopsy missed!
Once I turned 65 it seems the sky opened up ..... I had Medicare A&B and Tricare for life which meant I could chose everything!
The Doctor, hospital and the exact treatment I wanted "NOT WHAT THE DOCTORS SCARE YOU INTO" This year Mar 12-2026 1 got the Trans-perineal Targeted fusion Biopsy and finally found Gleason 3+4=7 one main target and one smaller target. May 19-2026 I chose Nano Knife at Mayo Clinic AZ it seemed to be the best option for my particular situation at the time of treatment my PSA climbed to 20.1.
Just had a recent PSA test it came back 2.9 and still dropping I have a follow up
August 21-2026 with Mayo hoping for another big drop. Hope this information helps you 🙏😊
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsI have found that I have learned things by being on here and continue to read post and also learning all those abbreviations. People on here sharing their stories will also help you with questions. If you can take someone with you that gives you another person to also hear what the Dr says. Keep us posted.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsPut "prostate cancer abbreviations" into this forum's search bar and you'll be able to see the long list.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@cole5055
Thank you for sharing your story. Please keep us posted. You are here to protect us but you can’t get an appointment to see a Urologist. I have not understood that situation. Sorry if I got on my Soap Box. Thank you for your Service. My late husband was a Navy man. I am here to learn things to help a friend through a new diagnosis of prostate cancer. His sister is there for him to do the appointments with him.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsWell I have been reading a lot of posts here and as many of the questions I have found answers for I have found new questions! One thing that I have done is to get an appointment with UCSF for a second opinion and see what they have to offer.
One question I have is does advanced pc mean that it has spread out from the prostate?
Thanks, Jim
@wheel1 Great list but I think SX means "side effects"
@jimcarr Anything that is Gleason 8 or above is categorized as Advanced. It can be contained or already metastasized. The Stage classification (Stage 4) indicates spread. However, the high Gleason score cases have a higher probability of recurrence and metastasis. If the cancer has distal spread than systemic treatment is used (permanent ADT with ARSI, Chemo, Pluvicto, Parb inhibitors).
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@copyman
Heck I thought it meant sex
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@jimcarr
Advanced PC would be considered a Gleason 8, 9 or 10.
If any of these things are found in the biopsy intraductal, ductal, large cribriform, Seminal vesicle invasion, EPE or ECE. (Extraprostatic extensions extra capsular extensions). They can make the cancer much more aggressive and advanced.
UCSF’s a great place to go. I Know many people that were treated there, including my brother. I’ve been working with a guy who just completed a combination of SBRT and IMRT Radiation. I actually attend the monthly UCSF online prostate cancer forum. You could sign up for it and then find out information about treatments that people have. Not everybody in the forum is being treated at UCSF, But there are a lot of very knowledgeable people And most are being treated at UCSF.
Be aware that the oncologist that specialize in prostate cancer will not work with you unless you have metastasis outside the prostate. If you have a high Gleason score however your urologist or Radiation oncologist can refer you to one.
UCSF
Oncologists
Eric Small not real friendly but good
Rahul Aggarwal
Terry Friedlander
Urologists
Peter R. Carroll
Dr. Carissa Chu
Radiologists
Dr. Mack Roach. Away until 12/26
Dr. Seyedin RO
Dr. Hsu RO
Dr. Gottschalk RO
Dr. Julian Hong (RO)
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@jeffmarc you ve itemized them all- pointed out good points/ bad points. You are a POINDEXTER type man. Professor Einstein of UCSF physicians.