pathology report

 

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

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1/2005 Dx PSA 26.5 Gleason 7 (4+3) @Age 61
1/2005 Start Casodex and Zoladex
PSA drops to <0.01
7/2005-8/2005 5 weeks of IMRT and then HDR brachy
1/2007 Rad Oncologist orders CT scan of pelvis
because of complaints of pain in both thighs
MRI confirms pain not caused by cancer BUT
1/2007 CT scan of pelvis picks up a nodule at bottom of left lung
5/2007 CT scan of lungs shows 1/2007 nodule has grown and
there are numerous nodules on both lungs.
6/2007 Thoracic surgeon removes wedge of left lung for biopsy
6/2007 Path report says 95% chance of metastatic PCa, but she's
never seen cells like this before.
8/2007 2nd opinion at M.D. Anderson in Houston.
They confirm: mutated PCa, very rare, but seen there 2 or
3 times. Recommendation: have CT scans every 6 weeks
and watch for change. At that point start chemo and will
survive for 22 - 24 months thereafter.
PSA still undetectable, but get Lupron shot to bring T down from 27
2/2008 Trip to Houston – PSA now 0.5 and nodules larger. Lupron shot.
6/2008 Trip to Houston - Finally got results from doc. A number of lung nodules have grown, but, more important to him, is the fact that the malignant lesion on my pelvis seems to have flared up and he wants me to start chemo. He said I could wait a few months, but I told him I want to start now. He to get me signed up for a clinical trial in nearby NY.
9/2008 Interim bone and CT scans show progress vs. scans done before beginning trial. I'm cautiously optimistic. Next scans 10/30/08.

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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46 you when diagnosed, now 47
Pre-Op PSA 9.9
1 of 12 cores positive, Gleason 3+3
DaVinci on 9/5/2007
Post-Op Gleason 3+6, Negative Nodes and Margins
Less than 1% of prostate involved with CA
3 Month PSA 0.01, 6 Month PSA 0.01, 9 Month PSA 0.01
One Year PSA 0.01
Incontinence resolved 9/15/2007, one day after cath removal
ED showing significant improvement.
Cialis 5 mg every night.
Success with BiMix