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Posted 10/14/2008 1:27 PM (GMT -8)
 

I just received my pathology report from my surgery on Sept 18. A little bit of it I understand and some I don`t. I don`t understand how good or bad the report is. I would like to post the microscopic Examination and see if others could help interprid  the results. I do realise also that we are all not doctors, but any help would be appreciated

1. Sections show 3 lymph nodes with surronding fibroadipose tissue

2 evidence of sinus histiocytosis. negative for metastic adenocarinoma

3 there is partial fat infiltration in the parenchyma and changes of sinus histiocytosis

4 lymph nodes are negative for metastic adencarcinoma.

5. presence of prostatic adenocarcinoma in right and left lobes.it is multifocal

overal gleason score is 6  3+3

tumour cells show aggressive features of moderate to sever pleomorphism.

7 there is involvment of the margins identified at the right and left apex as well as the right anterior surface.

8. there is perineural invasion

No extraprostatic extention identified.

There is no seminal vesicle invasion.

I don`t see my doctor till Nov 12 for first PSA.

Posted 10/14/2008 2:13 PM (GMT -8)
Basically what I can tell, there is some sort of condition with the lymph nodes but it isn't PCa. Your doc can explain that better for you. You did have positive margins in the apex (bottom of the prostate) and one in the anterior (front side). That would be the only concern I can see from the report, but not to the extent of worry. Follow up closely with your PSA for any rise in the future. Positive margins could mean that some cells were left behind during the surgery. Most of the time (70-75%) they die off with no further treatment. Some doctors will recommend salvage treatment as a precautionary and others don't based on original PSA and gleason score from the path report. Overall, looks like a fairly good report..no lymph node or seminal vesicle involvement which means cancer was contained to the removed prostate.
Posted 10/14/2008 2:19 PM (GMT -8)

The lymph nodes near the prostate and the seminal vesicles are negative for cancer.  A Gleason score of six is relatively low.

The cancer was at the prostate margins (surface) and in the nerves, but did not extend beyond the prostate. 

      It looks like the cancer was organ-confined, but because it was at

      the surface of the prostate, you should be monitored closely.

    

      You're a lucky guy you got it treated when you did since the       
     cancer was at the edges but hadn't spread anywhere yet! 

Posted 10/14/2008 3:00 PM (GMT -8)
Doesn't anyone have an issue with a doctor giving the patient his path report (with all its "medical-ese") and making him wait for yet another month without any explanation?

-Les
Posted 10/14/2008 3:35 PM (GMT -8)

Gordy said...
Doesn't anyone have an issue with a doctor giving the patient his path report (with all its "medical-ese) and making him wait for yet another month without any explanation?

-Les

Les--It does seem that the doc should have reviewed this personally rather than sending the detailed pathology report without explanation, if that's what happened.

My urologist called me when he got the pathology report a few days after I was released from the hospital cancer ward.  He assured me that everything was excellent and pronounced me free of cancer. He personally reviewed the detailed results with me about 2 weeks after the prostatectomy, when I was decatheterized.

 

Posted 10/14/2008 5:59 PM (GMT -8)
Hi kreplerfp

Man you screen name mouthful. On the other hand I agree with Les. Yor Dr should give you the news as soon as he has the path report. I got a phone call and got the report in writing when I returned to get the cath out. And by the way Les, have you been driving the corvette?

Mika
Posted 10/14/2008 7:08 PM (GMT -8)
Hey Mika-

The clinical trial in which I'm enrolled is in a hospital 70 miles from where I live. It's almost all Interstates and they have me going up there at least once a week and sometimes twice (I'm out on disability). So, yes, I'm getting to drive the Corvette and still loving it. Thanks for asking.

I hope you're well.

-Les
Posted 10/14/2008 8:51 PM (GMT -8)
Gordy,
I have to agree with you. It seems a little foolish to give a patient a pathology report and then not discuss exactly what all the terms mean for another month. It could well be the cause of a month long period of unnecessary concern and worry. Far better to get the report in his office with the doc taking the time to explain all the terms and implications.
Posted 10/15/2008 4:15 AM (GMT -8)
I agree that giving a technical path report is confusing, but on the other hand, it gives you something to research and learn about. I would rather have that than "it all looks ok" which some guys get. I also had adipose tissue replacement in the lymph nodes, most likely to my being overweight for many years, it is simply a deposit of fat cells (adipose tissue) in the lymph nodes. The best case would have been the MD explaining the report to you in person, that is where I have a problem. Something like this should not be mailed unless you requested an advance copy prior to your follow-up visit. Good Luck, sounds like you are going to be fine.
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