Proton Therapy Vs Prostate removal?

Thanks for the Hug Steve!

Your PSA isn’t very high. You might end up finding out you don’t have a Gleason higher than 6. If so, active surveillance is the way to go.

Depending on how aggressive your cancer is and what other things are found, you can have either surgery or radiation or a few other types of treatments like cryotherapy, HIFU,, TULSA0PRO, etc.

The only way to get your PSA is to get a blood sample. I’m pretty sure you can’t get that information from a biopsy.

Wait to see what they find. It may not be too big a deal.

Thank you Jeff, I agree RE PSA......

The only way to get your PSA is to get a blood sample. I’m pretty sure you can’t get that information from a biopsy.

@dude7707
You wrote had transperineal. Where you given anesthesia?
I don't know what your set up was but I had blood taken during my biopsies (transpernineal) as well as I.V. inserted for medications. With I.V. and biopsies being done you medical team could very well could have taken blood sample. I know my blood was taken prior to biospsies as was told looking at electrolytes and confirming blood type. They did not mention doing a PSA test but they could have very well did one on the day of your biopsies. Just asked.

A normal PSA does not mean you do not have cancer. Mine was normal (3.75) but biopsies revealed prostate cancer. Once you get your Gleason score your medical doctors should be working with you to see if more tests are appropriate to your specific case. It may not be cancer so they nor you know that now.

If cancer asked about additional tests if they don't discuss them like Decipher, PSMA, bone scans, etc. Really dig into doing some research and if you doubt your medical providers expertise get a second opinion on diagnosis and treatments for it.

You should try to be positive and hope you don't even have prostate cancer. You mentioned only two treatment options. There are many many more than that. My suggestion and comes from my experience with my prostate cancer not because I am a medical professional or trying to give you medical advise. Wait to see what your Gleason score is, and if appropriate (have cancer and score indicates) talk about additional tests that are out there and then discuss with your medical doctors the best options for your treatments.

A removal of prostate is a radical surgical procedure and you need to be aware of all the pros and cons. That is also needed for what type of radiation treament you chose if you go that way as many many ways of treating it with radiation as well as other type treatments.

So much improvement out there in recent years and many things have even changed from when I was diagnosed 2 years ago. If caught early very excellent chance of treatment success. Your PSA is not really high but want to caution you because of my experience not medical person to not rely on just numbers as my PSA was normal but rising over years and I did have prostate cancer.

Mayo Clinic has excellent research on topics of prostate cancer. So does Cleveland Clinic, and WEB MD. After you get your Gleason score do a lot of research, and have your question ready to discuss your options with your medical providers.

Bottom line I hope you don't join us here on MCC and you don't have prostate cancer. Many things can cause PSA numbes to rise and not be cancer.
Good luck!!

Thank you JC for all your information and follow up and especially the Hug!

You wrote had transperineal. Where you given anesthesia? - Y.

Your right, until confirmed cancerous from my Gleason score wait to determine next course of action!

Merry Christmas!

@dude7707
We have all been where you are. The initial stages of diagnosis are the most anxiety stage at least for me.

Yes I had Transperineal. I was given anesthesia. I think the proponol but also has a relaxer. The same anesthesilogist who did my colonoscopy did my transpernial anesthesia. He came in prior to procedure and said, "here we meet again. You are going to do fine we had no issues last time but if we do I am there so just relax."

To me I just don't want the extra axniety and stress of having it done transrectal so can be done without anesthesia. And the transrectal does come with higher infection rate no matter how low I did not want that.

The Gleason socre is an initial point so just wait until you get it and then you can research the diganosis, score, treatment options, and be able to asked questions and/or second opinions.

Hopefully and keep your fingers crossed you will NOT be joining our prostate cancer group. I hope that happens for you but if you join we are here for you.

After speaking with over 15 men who had been treated for prostate cancer, my husband chose proton therapy. He has a few treatments left but so far his experience has been great. No side effects from it. He goes early in the day and continues with his day as normal. My advice for anyone is talking to lots of people and get more than one opinion. Some doctors just want to remove and never offer any other options.

Thank you MPcharles, I have heard the same.....waiting for follow up with my urologists to see what the many and recommended option is best for my situation.

Thank you JC, it appears the GC is 6, but then there is a statement stating

COMMENT:
A-G) Examined biopsy cores show prominent changes of glandular hyperplasia with abundant intermixed high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN). Some areas of HGPIN have adjacent small atypical glands. Performed HMWCK immunostains of multiple biopsy cores show preserved (at least partial to focal) basal cell staining in most small atypical glands. While these background changes made interpretation more challenging, definitive carcinoma is identified in Parts B, D, and F.

This doesn't look good IMO.

A Quick check of HGPIN Shows that it is just a possible sign that there could be cancer in the future. You could go on active surveillance with this.

The article about HGPIN Included this information which you may have already seen.
Certain medications, such as finasteride or dutasteride, may help to reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer.