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User

Posted 04 Oct 2018 at 10:00

Thanks for the advice, and in particular the link to the story on yananow which I found very interesting.

User

Posted 04 Oct 2018 at 10:04

Hi yes I should put that into context.

PSA was 1.9 in 2014, 2.27 in 2015, 2.36 in 2016, 3.66 in 2017.

User

Posted 04 Oct 2018 at 10:08

Thanks Blighty, very encouraging to hear you are recovering well.

I am considering RP as this will get rid of the cancer, and I realise that AS is just getting to live with it, but at some point I will need to do something more, and the risk of it getting worse increases.

User

Posted 04 Oct 2018 at 10:27

Thanks Bollinge,

Spoke to my specialist yesterday who confirms what you have said.

Whilst on AS I can change my mind at any time. I will get quarterly PSA tests, and yearly MRI and template biopsy. So I should have a better picture if it is changing, and the yearly biopsy can confirm.

I am just wondering if there are any better scans that can be done to confirm the size of the tumour and its containment.

User

Posted 04 Oct 2018 at 10:33

Thanks Old Barry,

I am still considering both options, and appreciate you views which is where my head is now.

User

Posted 04 Oct 2018 at 10:55

Might want to check this out
http://prac.co/l/ya3hbrh6

It's a review of AS outcomes and risk for grade 1 and 2 candidates. (3+3 and 3+4 in old money)

User

Posted 04 Oct 2018 at 11:11

Hi Machine46,

I was diagnosed with Gleason 3+4 and PSA 2.19 in September 2016 at the Lister hospital in Stevenage at the age of 70.It was only picked up by my doctor while having a private medical to renew my HGV license when I reached 70 and it was the best £140 i ever spent.

I was only offered radical removal or Brachytherapy but only after asking about the Brachytherapy.I think i had 5 out of 20 samples positive and had the operation at Mount Vernon in September 2016.

The operation went very well and i have very little problem to date,PSA as of June 2018 is 0.39 and checkups stretched to six months.

Click my avatar for more information if you need it, but of course it's your decision what actions you take going forward.

Good luck John.

PS. we have no Prostate cancer in the family at all.

Edited by member 04 Oct 2018 at 11:14 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 04 Oct 2018 at 13:22

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Thanks Bollinge,

Spoke to my specialist yesterday who confirms what you have said.

I am just wondering if there are any better scans that can be done to confirm the size of the tumour and its containment.

Nice to have a Consultant concur with me as others on here sometimes do not 😉.

There are supposedly more “accurate” scans around, such as Choline PET/PSMA scans, which you may be able to get on the NHS and would likely involve some travel to the centre with the machine, and a more advanced Gallium 68 scan which you probably wouldn’t get on the NHS. At the last count it was £2600 a pop. It uses a Gallium short half-life radioactive isotope which is particularly clingy to cancerous bits and they show up on the scanner. I think there are only two centres that do it in the UK.

So what did your consultant say about AS in your case? Did he advocate any course of action?

Whatever you choose, I wish you the best of luck.

Cheers, John

User

Posted 04 Oct 2018 at 15:11

I'm in a similar situation. Recently diagnosed (9/11/18), Gleason 6, low grade on three biopsy cores. I'm thinking AS but the Doctor says my PSA above 10 (11.6) makes me T2, so we need more tests. Currently 2.5 weeks into a one month wait for results on genomic testing to find out how aggressive the cancer is. Although, I has assumed AS would be the easiest option, I'm now concerned that it may just put cancer in my daily thoughts. I'm 56, so I'll need to deal with this at some point. I'm hoping to live to a ripe old age! Side effects are certainly a concern, given how long some of you have had to deal with them.

Stay strong everyone! Hopefully we'll all get through this together.

Paul

Edited by member 04 Oct 2018 at 15:13 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 04 Oct 2018 at 15:21

Hi Paul,

Why don’t you start your own thread?

Have you had a target/template biopsy and an MRI scan?

Cheers, John.

User

Posted 04 Oct 2018 at 16:46

John,

Thanks, I just did.

Paul

User

Posted 08 Oct 2018 at 06:45

Thanks Nick,

i have made my decision, and RP is the choice.

I currently suffer side effects from the alpha blockers that I take for an enlarged Prostate, surgery will remove the need for them. It could also be said that I have been living with the cancer for years which may have been the cause of the enlarged prostate since diagnosed in 2015.

My Gleason was 40% grade 4, so bordering on changing to 4+3.

There is a fair chance the biopsy did not hit the worst cells, as described by so many people post op.

For me, I want the best chance of full removal of the cancer, and the smallest chance of recurrence or side effects.

Feeling positive :-)

User

Posted 08 Oct 2018 at 13:06

Nick,

Best of luck with your surgery. Sending good thoughts your way!

best,

Paul

User

Posted 08 Oct 2018 at 13:13

Good luck. I wish you all the best for the future.

User

Posted 09 Oct 2018 at 07:24

Good luck, keep us informed as to your progress.

User

Posted 26 Oct 2018 at 14:10

Hi everyone,

well I have had the surgery 3 days ago, and I am now starting my recovery.

i ended up with a top surgical team, they removed the prostate without issues. The other good news is that there was no adhesion of the nerves, so sparing was carried out.

i had lots of difficulty after the surgery, but I did get discharged the following day.

Thanks to all for the advice and good wishes,

until later..

User

Posted 26 Oct 2018 at 16:14

Well done and good luck!

Look after yourself while you recover and don't forgett to treat yourself :)

User

Posted 26 Oct 2018 at 16:22

All the very best with your recovery and future outcomes.

Neil.

User

Posted 26 Oct 2018 at 23:41

Good luck with your recovery.

Ian

Edited by member 26 Oct 2018 at 23:42 | Reason: Not specified

Ido4

User

Posted 04 Nov 2018 at 20:27

Hope the recovery is going well ?

I find myself with a similar prognosis, and have to make the decision. Somewhat worried about the side effects of surgery.

Cheers

Mark

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