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Prostate Cancer Gleason 6 Group 1 + Hypogonadism

Posted by floridanad @floridanad, 2 days ago

I recently was diagnosed with PC Gleason (3+3) 6 Group 1. I also have been on Testosterone Replacement Therapy for over 10 years. As soon as the biopsy result came back, I was told to immediately stop taking the Testosterone injections. This was 1.5 months ago. It has been recommended that I have the robotic DaVinci Prostatectomy so that I can resume the Testosterone Replacement Therapy the soonest. I am scheduled to see the surgeon who specializes in the DaVinci Prostatectomy next week. The effects of going off of the Testosterone have been oppressive, to say the least.

I know there are some studies that conclude that there is no connection between PC and using Testosterone, but has
anyone with Hypogonadism and a similar PC diagnoses been allowed to take Testosterone injections during or after this process?

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jeff Marchi | @jeffmarc | 2 days ago

There must be more than Gleason 6 in your biopsy. The question is, was there something else on your biopsy that made him think you needed surgery rather than active surveillance.

Or is it that the doctor figures you get your prostate removed and go back on testosterone and it’s unlikely you will have prostate cancer pop up. You realize that having surgery will probably Cause major erectile dysfunction problems. Make sure the doctor uses nerve sparing to try to limit it. Surgery can also cause incontinence, though it usually isn’t permanent,

Under normal conditions, you could stop your testosterone treatments and that would result in your being exactly the same as somebody like me who is on ADT. My testosterone has been below 20 for almost all of eight years and actually below five. That allows me to survive with prostate cancer. You can live this way at least you can still get an erection and you don’t have to go through the surgery.

I’m not sure what kind of doctor you are seeing but doing a prostatectomy for a 3+3 is no longer recommended for most situations. Are you working with a center of excellence? It might make sense to get a second opinion before committing to surgery. Why wouldn’t radiation be an option, You should speak to a radiation oncologist. A lot less stress if you get radiation,

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floridanad | @floridanad | 2 days ago

Normally, observation would be ordered. However, since my body no longer produces testosterone for over a decade, without the those injections I am in a world of hurt. Long term abstinence has a whole slew of its own consequences and is not an option.
With radiation, at least 18 months will be needed before I could resume injections. With Prostatectomy, 6 months. It’s a dilemma because there are lots of consequences with the radical prostatectomy too. Besides my Urologist, I am seeing the Urologist who performs the Davinci surgery, and I am also going to review options at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa.

I am trying to determine if there us anyone in my situation who has been ok’d to continue testosterone injections with any of these options.

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WingNut | @ucfron | 1 day ago
In reply to @jeffmarc "There must be more than Gleason 6 in your biopsy. The question is, was there something..." + (show)
@jeffmarc

There must be more than Gleason 6 in your biopsy. The question is, was there something else on your biopsy that made him think you needed surgery rather than active surveillance.

Or is it that the doctor figures you get your prostate removed and go back on testosterone and it’s unlikely you will have prostate cancer pop up. You realize that having surgery will probably Cause major erectile dysfunction problems. Make sure the doctor uses nerve sparing to try to limit it. Surgery can also cause incontinence, though it usually isn’t permanent,

Under normal conditions, you could stop your testosterone treatments and that would result in your being exactly the same as somebody like me who is on ADT. My testosterone has been below 20 for almost all of eight years and actually below five. That allows me to survive with prostate cancer. You can live this way at least you can still get an erection and you don’t have to go through the surgery.

I’m not sure what kind of doctor you are seeing but doing a prostatectomy for a 3+3 is no longer recommended for most situations. Are you working with a center of excellence? It might make sense to get a second opinion before committing to surgery. Why wouldn’t radiation be an option, You should speak to a radiation oncologist. A lot less stress if you get radiation,

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I would agree that with 3+3 having your prostate removed seams way over-kill and opens the door for a bunch of other issues that will affect your life. Maybe I don’t understand the situation, but I’d certainly get more advice and opinions. Seams like keeping a watchful eye on it with PSA tests and other biopsies down the road.

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