Robotic surgery was completed last Monday at Hopkins. Path report now upgrades from Gleason 6 to Gleason 7 ( 4+3 )and invasion of both left and right seminal vessels. Stage T3b.

Hi Parson

Sorry that your post op pathology was not what any of us want to hear. I believe that the seminal vessels are removed during surgery so it is not clear what impact that will have on you for the future. I guess it leaves as an open question whether there is any remaining cancer in the area of the seminal vessels. Obviously you will want to get a PSA test as soon as possible to give some indication of where you stand. It sounds like you might be a good candidate for some radiation treatment to hopefully wipe out any remaining cancer near the prostate. Take a look at the new thread that I recently established (i.e., Recurring Prostate Cancer After Failed Surgery and Radiation). The thread is still a work in progress, but it might be helpful. Best of luck and all good wishes as you move forward.

Dave

P.S. What your situation points out (and you are far from alone in this respect) is that none of us can fully rely on our pre-treatment Gleason and stage of cancer in selecting a treatment option. If we don't have surgery (which I did not opt for), it certainly becomes a game of chance as to just how bad one's stage of PC is.

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68, Biopsy 9/27/06, Stage T1c, PSA 7.1, Gleason 6 [less than 5% in two areas], Gleason 7 (3+4) [less than 20% in third area], negative DRE, bone scan and MRI. Starting proton radiation therapy 2/22/07.

Post Edited (pcdave) : 3/19/2007 4:08:49 PM (GMT-6)

Also,
Read my Threads. We are now very closely staged. I am very curious what is next for me but i think I know that I will likely receive all three treatment options. It's what order that we proceed. Because my PSA is inching towards undetectable that HT is likely to be delayed, but Taxotere and Radiation are a certainty for me. My em address is tcneclv@aol.com. I will gladly send you me contact information if you just want to talk. These are challenging days for you, me 1588, greeacres, et al. But you can still do very well and need to stay positive. Don't let depression in and don't give in either.

God bless you Barrister, and talk to you soon.

Tony
Surgery was 2/16
T3b, both vessicals, Neg Bones, nodes.
PSA as of 3/12 was 0.1 (still declining)

Time to find yourself a good oncologist who believes in aggressive treatment. Better to be pro-active at this stage than to worry every day of your life about what might happen! You still have a life to live!!!
R

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Age 61
7-11-06: PSA Jumps from 2.7 in 2005 to 6
09-06-06: TRUS Gleason 4+5, staged T3
09-21-06: Consults in Austin with Urologist and Oncologist
10-19-06: RPT in Austin
10-21-06: Discharged- post surgery Pathology 4+5 Gleason, T3B,Penetrated Seminal Vesicles and soft tissue, no lympth node involvement positive margins
10-30-06: Catheter Out
11-09-06: Total Body Bone Scan (normal)
11-30-06: PSA <.1
12-07-06: Oncologist treatment begins in Austin
Began Chemo (Taxotere)
Began Hormone Therapy (Lupron IM, Casodex) Two year program
12-10-06: Basically Continent
03-06-07: Radiation Therapy Began

ok, let me hear of some recommendations of good oncologists. Barrister

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Age 64, PSA 3.4,increased from 2.5 over 14 months,  3 of 12 cores positive 12/14/06,gleason 3+3=6

Hi ~ Barrister....

I will be back but wanted to touch base quickly when I saw your request.
I've only found "1" other thread..... but pcdave's (Dave) and TC LasVegas (Tony) have the best information... and I see where you've found their threads... more information is coming at us everyday with treatments, etc.... so we will stay close to you. As in previous postings.... I agree 100% ~ with info above from Green/Swim...take time to heal properly... mentally and physically.... you really need some down time....
I will be back sooooooon...........

Our thoughts and prayers and special HUGS surround you.
In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy

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mama bluebird - Lee & Buddy… from North Carolina

Link to our personal journey…>>>     Our Journey ~ Sharing is Caring 

April 3, 2006  53 on surgery day

RRP / Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy with "wide excision"

PSA 4.6   Gleason  3+3=6    T2a   Confined to Prostate

2nd PSA 02-06-2007 Less than 0.1 Non-Detectable :)

Hi Barrister

This is in response to your request above (i.e., ok, let me hear of some recommendations of good oncologists).  I assume you mean medical oncologists.  They are the ones to advise you on the different type of treatment available to you for recurring PC after surgery, based on your stage of PC.  Then you would proceed for treatment with the applicable specialists whether it be radiation or something else.

I don't know where you live, but here is a link to some of the top PC medical oncologists:

http://www.prostate-cancer.org/resource/special.html#med_oncology

I am sure that this list is not all inclusive and that there are many other well qualified medical oncologists specializing in PC.

Best of luck in your search.

Dave