T3b N1 question about the N

Yes, you have a somewhat aggressive prostate cancer, but there are many that are so much worse. Did they mention to you that it has spread to the Seminal vesicles? Even with that, radiation can take care of it.

There is no way to tell how long you’re going to live. With proper treatment, you could live decades more. People I know that have had doctors tell them how long they are going to live almost always live two or three times as long. That’s why it’s a mistake for the doctors to suggest a limit.

You didn’t tell us what your Gleason score is, and that is very important to figure out what’s going on and what will happen in the future. I know people that are Gleason eight and nine that are around for 20 or 30 years after just having surgery or radiation.

Did your biopsy find any of these things? intraductal, cribriform, or ECE. Having one of those in your biopsy could be more important than just having A lymph node with cancer. It’s very easy to treat a lymph node with radiation.

Have you had a PSMA PET scan? Is that what found the lymph node but nothing else?

Chemo is used when people have multiple metastasis because they’re not easily treatable by radiation. You are definitely not a normal chemo patient. At this point, it’s overkill.

If you’re not pleased with What you are being told look for a second opinion from a center of excellence.

Listen to Jeff's comments...I would say pretty accurate...you are prob similar to me: Gleason 8 ( 1 small section 4+4) and 2 larger 4+3=7 Gleason- the other 8 sections of prostate are clear..+ I have 2 pelvic lymph nodes with a scattering of cancer ( per Pet scan)..SO depending on who is grading..it is Stage III or IV. ( I was told dryly I was Stage IV)

'Prostate cancer is categorized into stages I through IV to describe how far it has spread: Stage III (locally advanced) means the cancer has grown beyond the prostate into nearby tissues like the seminal vesicles ( pelvic lymph nodes) but not to distant organs, whereas Stage IV (metastatic) means the cancer has spread to distant sites such as lymph nodes FAR from the prostate, bones, lungs, or other organs.'

I wouldnt worry too much about that part..how you respond to ADT and radiation is more important as is your over all health..PC is not a fun club to be ushered into..but lots of company..good luck..I bet you will do fine and have many good yrs left !

General guidelines:

Prostate cancer is typically classified into 10 stages based on the following factors:
1. Tumor Size and Location (T):
T1: Cancer is small and confined to the prostate gland.
T2: Cancer has grown larger within the prostate gland.
T3: Cancer has spread beyond the prostate to nearby tissues.
T4: Cancer has spread to distant organs, such as the bones or lymph nodes.
2. Gleason Score:
This measures the aggressiveness of the cancer cells.
Scores range from 6 (least aggressive) to 10 (most aggressive).
3. Lymph Node Involvement (N):
N0: No lymph nodes are involved.
N1: Lymph nodes near the prostate contain cancer cells.
Stage 1 (T1, N0, Gleason Score 6 or less):
Cancer is small and confined to the prostate.
Treatment options may include active surveillance or surgery.
Stage 2 (T2, N0, Gleason Score 7-9):
Cancer is larger within the prostate.
Treatment options may include surgery, radiation therapy, or hormone therapy.
Stage 3 (T3, N0-N1, Gleason Score 7-10):
Cancer has spread beyond the prostate.
Treatment options may include surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or chemotherapy.
Stage 4 (T4, N0-N1, Gleason Score 7-10):
Cancer has spread to distant organs.
Treatment options focus on managing symptoms and improving quality of life, as a cure may not be possible.

I can see why you are so scared with being so young with young kids. I'm sorry for you...however, every month /year they come up with more strategies and treatments. Please make sure you are being treated by an excellent cancer center. Such as mayo and many others. Best to you ❤️