Cancer Detected With Biopsy, Now What

51 years old, history of prostate cancer-father, uncle, grandfather. PSA levels have been increasing since beginning at age 45. At 4.0 PSA, primary care doctor recommended PSA tests every 6 mos. PSA in June was 5.4. Urologist performed ultra-sound/biopsy. 14 core samples, 3 malignant, Nos 6 8 and 12. Gleason score of 6 and T2-a indicator. 2 Urologist recommend removal of gland. My dad and uncle were diagnosed when they were in their early 70s, both had 'ectomy' surgery, since according to their doctors, they were in great health and radiation, chemo would probably slow the regression but not cure them. If the malignancy return their options would then be limited, again according to their doctors. I asked as many questions as I could write down on 3 legal sheets. My urologist indicated I am not a candidate for radiation, cyro, seed implant or any therapy, given my age, history and biopsy results. I've read postings here and on other bulletin boards, but few include their age in topic. My urologist did say if I was in my late 60's or 70s that he would consider alternative treatments. Any comments would surely be appreciated.

Get in touch with Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Do it soon. It sounds like you need a second opinion and someone who has not given up on you before you even start. Those alternative treatments are all at CTCA and other places too. Age makes no difference to cancer. Get that second opinion now. They are only doctors not Gods and their are others that have a postive attitude and that is what you need. Not a bunch of pessimists. Lillian

At age 50 was diagnosed with prostate cancer. PSA 5.64 Gleason 6. I followed Doctors advice and had the gland removed. Currently age 55 with no regrets so far.

But the bottom line is it is a personal decision. Favorable results are not 100% guaranteed.

Also if you happen to be a Viet Nam Vet, Agent Orange may be a factor, so contact the Veterans Administration.

Good morning Steve,
How about some good news? You have many wonderfully effective treatment options to choose from. You have found your way to a group of people at the CTCA who are totally dedicated to your well-being. You are not in this alone. You will be fine because you will decide on the treatment that is perfect for you. You are in control and you can do a great many things right now that will help your situation. And you have time!
I'm 59 years old and was diagnosed on Sept 10,2002. I had a Gleason of 6 and a PSA of 4.1. My biopsy samples were 2 positive out of 10. I did my homework and decided on HDR Brachytherapy along with IMRT. I did the HDR in Tulsa OK. and the IMRT in Troy NY. ( I live in SW Vermont) I finished my treatments the last day of April. And to-date I have had virtually no side effects. However all of us are different and that is why it's important for you to be comfortable with your treatment. If the idea of "total treatment" (mind, body and soul) appeals to you, you will not find a better place or people than CTCA. I hope that I've helped in some way. If I can do more, please call.
Best regards from a friend and fellow traveler.
Larry

If you elect surgery, I suggest not going to a regional type of training hospital. I did and felt like a guinea pig. Insist they weigh you prior to surgery and again prior to release. I was released with too much fluids in my body and had congestive heart failure 4 days later. It was a close call & very uncomfortable during that period of time (and even prior to my release, I had difficulty breathing). The doctors agree it shouldn't have happened, but you must watch your own backside.

Hi, Steve!
I'm 56, and was diagnosed recently with prostate cancer. The only reason that the Urologist nixed Brachytherapy, is that my prostate is nestled too close to my bladder, and the chance of colateral damage is too great. I don't know what your "history" is but, you can go to "man to man," a discussion group on the American Cancer Society web page, and chat with other guys who have been through all the treatments, collectively. Make sure you got to the ACS web site first, then link to the group, otherwise you get sent to a gay mens chat group, which probably won't help your problem much.

by all means, suggest a second opinion. also look into nutrition and nutritional supplements. great information available from Brady Institute of Johns Hopkins, also American Prostate Society (both on internet). if you do decide on surgery, be sure your surgeon is practiced in nerve-sparing techniques (ask him how many he's done and what results have been). many sources on internet on nutrition, etc. great good luck from another supporter

Thanks everyone for the wealth of information and reponses. Have consultation with urologist on the 17th, after getting 2 2nd opinions. Suppose to go over the bone scan and CT scan and answer more questions. I have additional questions and qualifying tests for the doctor now that I have 'talked' with you.

I am 57, diagnosed at 53 with prostate cancer (gleason score 3+4). Urologists recommend surgery, radiation oncologists usually recommend seed implants/radiation. After reading everything I could get my hands on, I decided to have external beam radiation, hormone therapy for 3 months, then seed implants (Northwest Prostate Institute, Seattle, Dr. Haakon Ragde). Even if cancer shows up again, the odds seem to be about the same---with a lot less side effects. GET A SECOND OPINION!! And, to follow up on the message you already received: EVERTHING I HAVE READ ABOUT CANCER TREATMENT CENTERS OF AMERICA HAS BEEN GOOD! I believe their prostate cancer treatment location is in Tulsa, OK. Good Luck.

Hello, Steve...

This will be coming to you after your appointment on the 17th....so I don't know that it will help much but I will tell you what I did and what I am still doing.

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 51 (in the spring of 2002), had a PSA level of over 30. Gleason score of 6 and a T2b indicator.

After much research, (yes, my urologist recommended surgery to remove--it seems to be the standard answer but many times, I have found that to be the case with the older doctors, how old is your doctor?) and a second opinion, I decided to go with radioactive seed implants with hormone therapy (injections of Lupron Depot every four months in the hip) and radiation.

I, personally, had all of this done at the University of Maryland Medical System (which is located in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a teaching and research hospital which translated for me into meaing that I would get the latest "tried and true" method. Yes, I felt somewhat like a guinea pig or a test subject, but I also felt that if I was going to be treated at this type of facility, that I would get the latest and best treatment as opposed to the old standby of surgical removal.

I had the radiation for five days a week for six weeks(boy,was I glad when that was over as I traveled for two hours in both directions to get 10 - 20 mins of radiation), then the implants and continue to receive the injections....(I received my first injection on July 18, 2002 and still take them to this day), my urologist at the Maryland Prostate Center recommended that I do this for two years, so that means I will continue to have these shots for another 6 to 9 months.

I have had two PSA tests done since the implants were done in December 2002. The first was 0.0 and the second was 0.02, so needless to say, I am pleased. shucks, pleased is not the word, estatic is the word.

But, I will say this to you....surgery is but one of the many options that are available to you...the fact that so many of us baby boomers are getting this is causing the medical community to do a lot more research. New and emerging treatments are being heard about each day it seems.

Your decision on your type of treatment is yours to make. Don't make your decision based on what your grandfather, father or uncle did as they may not have had all the facts. As this is the Information Age, check out all that you can...the "Net" is chock full of information, and as one respondent suggested, check out the American Cancer Society Prostate Cancer Resource Center. They have lots of facts and figures as well as lots of new treatments that are available.

I am not sorry that I picked the treatment option that I did, and no matter what you decide to go with...there will be side effects that can be (and most definitely will be) unpleasant. I went with what I did because of the busy lifestyle that I lead, I did not wish to be out of work for 6 weeks...which is the time that was quoted to me if I went with surgery. As a single parent of one son, I could not be an invalid for that long!!

But, I do wish that I had contacted the Cancer Treatment Centers of America BEFORE I elected my procedure as they seem to be very good at what they do. They may have been able to suggest a third opinion. And they have been very helpful to me since I contacted them.

Yes, I continue to research and to learn all that I can...nothing is certain about Prostate Cancer as it can return, but the future (for me) appears much brighter with much more hope than I had in July 2002 when I was told that I was a "3+3".

Steve, I wish you the best...and if you like, contact me by e-mail and we can "chat"!! Take care and good luck!!!