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husband just diagnosed please help with biopsy results

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Posted 8/25/2007 2:39 PM (GMT -8)
I will try and keep this as short as pos. My husband 50 yrs old had rectal exam 1 month ago found tumor. sent to urolog. Biopsy done 2wks ago last fri doc calls says biopsy back but he wanted sec opinion before telling us. We knew it was bad. Went another week no calls. I finally called and raised 10 kinds and the doc called me said he needed to talk to hubby told him to call his cell phone. I asked doc to not give him bad news on phone he said no i need you both to come in. Said he would call he didnt my hubby called the office and guess what doc left for the weekend. I was furious and scared. We went by office and got biopsy report. It says cancer. Prostatic Adencarcenoma Gleason 3+3 Shows infiltrative growth pattern These cells lack a basal cell layer and show prominent nucleoli. No perineural invasion or extraporstatic extension indentified. How bad is this. What would be the best treatment. We go to the doc monday but need info now. Any info please help. His brother died from rectal colon cancer and I am worried.
Posted 8/25/2007 3:37 PM (GMT -8)

Hello prewitt,

Any diagnosis of PCa is very scary, but try to calm down and wait for the more knowledgeable members of our group to post their opinions. First I would say that a Gleason of 3+3 is encouraging, and no perineual invasion or extraprostatic extension identified sounds like there may not be any spreading out side the prostate. 

I'm sure others will soon post more definitive explanations for you so just hang on a bit.

Glen

Posted 8/25/2007 4:45 PM (GMT -8)
Prewitt,

Well, you already know its cancer. We're all so sorry to hear that. Just by what you've already said, it is at least T2a. These 2 things are the bad news.

The good news so far is that is a Gleason 3+3, a moderate grade therefore, less agressive. No PNI has been noted...these are the good things. You will have to wait till Monday to get the rest. When you do, please ask that a second biopsy opinion be sent. These take weeks to get back so ya gotta ask early. In the mean time, we'll wait this out with you in anyway cyberly possible.

Take Care, Swim
Posted 8/25/2007 4:58 PM (GMT -8)
The euro. doc already sent it off for second opinion that was our results it was from the mayo clinic so i trust the biopsy results. Just wanted some idea on what our treatment options may be. Will he prob have to do radiation? If so will he be able to still work. As I said he is only 50. We need to get our finances in order and be prepared if he will be out of work awhile as we basically live pay check to paycheck and could not make it on my income. He has some sick time but only about 6 weeks. I want him to take the best option to make sure it is all gone of course. Will they do other tests to just make sure it has not spread and not just go by the biopsy. They only took 5 and 1 was positive his psa levels are normal which is a little confusing to me.
Posted 8/25/2007 5:27 PM (GMT -8)
Oh yeah...duh, sorry, you said that didn't you? .

Prewitt, you really have to get the whole story from the Physician before making big decisions. If things are as they appear and your DH's PSA is reasonably low, he's probably a candidate for any early stage treatment. Radiation is but one choice. Look up the different choices by doing an search.... psa-rising.com is a good one to start with.

My husband Paul, is a firefighter. He's has had both a prostatectomy and extensive radation (not for the same cancer) and never missed more than 2 weeks of work for either of them. Of course, he had desk duty for a month after surgery but, that isn't always an option for people. I guess it all depends on what he does, what he chooses and whether his job has alternatives when light duty is called for.

Swim
Posted 8/25/2007 6:09 PM (GMT -8)
Prewitt, First, just the word cancer invokes fear in all of us but now that the initial shock has hit it is time to calm down and do your research. There are a number of options for your husband and that is why you both must take the time to educate yourselves so you can make the best decision possible when the time comes. I hope this will give you some level of comfort. When I was diagnosed I was working in the medical field and had a lot of good free medical advice. Every one of them told me to prepare for the worst because of my Gleason score and the condition of the cells examined after the Biopsy. I was told there was a 99% chance the cancer had spread. When I woke up after the surgery a nurse was smiling and said that they got it all and it had not spread. I got my one year PSA this Thursday and it was .01, which is fantastic. From what I have seen your husband, on the surface, seems to be in a much better condition than I was, so I tend to think he has a great chance for a good outcome. Now we are all differant and not even a doctor can promise you anything for certain, but your husband appears to be very lucky that he discovered the problem before it progressed any further. Finally, I know you would love all black and white answers but that is not going to happen. But with the proper education and most important, a positive attitude, your husband at his young age, most likely has a very good chance of beating this and living a very long life. As far as how long he will be out of work depends on the treatment he takes. I had the Da Vinci surgery, and not that any doctor would allow it, but I could have returned to work after 4 weeks. I guess the point I would like to get across is, while cancer is certainly bad, at this point it is in no way a end to long and happy life for you and your husband. If you would like to know any particulars that I can provide please ask. Now here is a great web site for you to get some good information, but rememeber this is one doctors opinion and you need more than one. http://www.drcatalona.com/qa/faq_post-op.asp Best Wishes and Gods Speed Prostate Cancer, Removed by Da Vincie Robotic in Aug. 2006  Poorly Differentiated Adenocarcinoma involving Left and Right Lobes involving 80% of the Specimens Gleason 4+4=8 Pathologic Stage T2C No Mx Age at Diag. 51 Post edited to activate link   : ) Post Edited By Moderator (bluebird) : 8/26/2007 6:59:09 PM (GMT-6)
Posted 8/25/2007 8:58 PM (GMT -8)

Hello prewitt,

Hang in there!  You, thus far, have described prostate cancer caught in it's early stages.  My Gleason was 3+3=6 as well.  Let's see what the second opinion from the Mayo Clinic says.

As far as treatment options, there are many that you can discuss with your doctor.  You'll likely need some more information from the second opinion on the biopsy results before you decide. 

At 50 years of age, some doctors still believe the gold standard is radical prostatectomy in hopes that they can remove all of the cancer, although radiologists can offer other treatments which they may feel very good about.  Fortunately there are many techniques that have skilled health care professionals behind them and good track records.

It is important to be informed such that you can make the right decision for you and your husband.  Our moderator has provide a topic at the top of this discussion group with links to helpful information.  You may also try my web site (listed below) that has these links and some more.  Your doctors will want you to decide on the treatment that is best for you and that you feel the most comfortable with.

Critically important is taking time in between study to think and ponder.   You don't need to rush at this point in time, based on what you've stated about the biopsy.

The good people in this forum will be with you throughout your journey.

You and your husband are in our thoughts and prayers.

All the best,

Idaho

Posted 8/25/2007 10:03 PM (GMT -8)
Hi prewitt: Go to your local bookstore and buy Dr. Peter Scardino's Prostate Book or Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer. I found Scardino's book to be very uplifting. Lot's of info. and a very positive approach to dealing with this disease.
Be prepared to read the book(s) yourself and then highlight or relate the important stuff to your husband. For a lot of us guys, just getting the positive biopsy is tough and it's difficult to sit and read all about PCa. It's a tough time for many-a-man. Thank God your man has you.
There are so many options for treatment. But if you do your research, you will decide on a treatment that you feel comfortable with.

Reach out for any resources available, including your local cancer society. In my case, the society put me in contact with a man who was unbelievably instrumental in my journey through this thing of ours.
Your husband's numbers sound very favorable.
Do the research. There are lots of people here for you.
Best to ya,
You'll get through this.
Tom

Posted 8/26/2007 3:33 AM (GMT -8)
Piano...wow..that outline stuff? My head is still spinning at a man suggesting women are responsibile for carrying the burden so far as to had him pictures and say here...this is what you have and this is what the Dr. is going to do about it. My goodness, my children were treated with more respect than that when they were in and out of various medical procedures. Frankly, being thrown all that pressure hurt my marriage and it wasn't until I tossed some of the work back where it belongs, that both he and I made progress. I will tell you he fought like a cat over a water barrel but in the long run...he kept his dignity and his strength grew 10-fold.
Posted 8/26/2007 4:47 AM (GMT -8)
pianoman, i completely understood what you was saying and did not take it wrong in the least. My husband is lost right now. He is such a quiet man anyway and does not ask questions about any of this. I have been getting on the net and finding info and he appreciates it. I dont just say this is what we are going to do. I want him to know all his options. Thanks for all your advise and I will go and try and get the book. I don't see how that could cause any more stress than we have already have. We have been married 13 yrs i am 38 he is 50 I dont know how this has affected everyone elses bedroom life but I always new somethings wasnt right. His sex drive has been nil from the get go and now i think i am finally starting to see it wasnt me. Thanks again for all your comments
Posted 8/26/2007 6:34 AM (GMT -8)
I know exactly how you feel. We got my husband's biopsy results earlier this month over the phone, right before his doctor headed out of town for 2 weeks. We were pretty frantic, trying to find information to help us make sense of the report while trying to research options. Thankfully my husband's cancer looks like it was caught early (his Gleason is 3+3 also and the cancer appears to be confined). I feel very lucky to have found this place, with lots of caring folks and great information and feedback. While my husband is doing his own research, I'm really the one scouring the internet for everything I can find.

Since my husband is very active and really isn't a very good patient (as well as for other reasons), he's leaning more toward brachytherapy (seed radiation) than towards surgery although we've got consultations scheduled with both radiation oncologists and surgeons. We've found that there's really not one 'best' option for treatment. As you learn more about the options, you'll find what you're most comfortable with in terms of side effects and risks.

There's a wealth of information available here, with lots of people to help both you and your husband as you make your way through this. I wish you both all the best in talking with the doctor on Monday.
Posted 8/26/2007 9:55 AM (GMT -8)
Geez oh man, Swim. I wasn't suggesting that the woman should take total responsibility. I was just trying to relate what sometimes happens and how a spouse or significant-other can help a guy through the decision-making process -- not make it for him.

When I was freaked out over PCa, my wife was in a saner state of mind than I was and helped and encouraged me through that time. Ultimately, I made my own decision, but I could never have done it without her.

I'm glad prewitt got the point and hope no one else took my response the wrong way.

Posted 8/26/2007 10:52 AM (GMT -8)
Piano - no worries - I'd say most of us understood perfectly. I had to re read it 3 times just to figure out what was supposedly "wrong" . . . . . ultimately Bob made his own decision, but if it were only up to him to research and understand we'd still be at square ONE.

Prewitt . . welcome to a great forum/resource place with tons of caring supportive people.  Take your time, both of you and you will make the decision that's right for you.  In our case, we just "had" to know the cancer was removed, so opted for laproscopic removal.  We've just had our "third "undetectible" PSA reading since surgery, last September.

:o) Linda & Bob

Posted 8/26/2007 12:59 PM (GMT -8)
Prewitt, I second the idea to get Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer. It is very informative and has alot of drawing and photos that will help your husband make a decision that is right for him. My PSA score were going up over a point every three months so my cancer was quite aggressive and I wanted something done as soon as the biopsies were confirmed as cancer. This was not to be, the doctors want to give the area around the rectum time to heal and the inflamation to decrease. My Surgeon waited ten weeks before surgery was performed. Knowing this, your husband has plenty of time for gathering facts, second opinions, and making the correct decision. After you have read the books and gone on line and gathered info, there will still be questions you want answers to. If you Google prostate cancer or any type of treatment you wish to learn about there will be thousands of sites to go to. Keep coming back to this site regularly as I can attest to how informative and caring it has been for me and my cancer. My PSA was a 6.47 and biopsies were 2 of 6 cancer, Stage T1c witha Gleason score of 7 ( 3 + 4 ). My Local Uro who did the biopsies and other work did not offer the type of surgery I opted for. He does the radical prostatectomy or freezing, however I opted for the Robot assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. He was able to get me an appointment with a surgeon in Nashville and I was operated on about ten weeks after the biopsies. I know this post is quite long, but at this time I am sure you have made the right decision to get info, be informed and continue to correspond on this site. Things aren't always as dark as they first appear. God Bless, Uncle Dan
Posted 8/26/2007 4:56 PM (GMT -8)
Hi   ~ Prewitt & loved ones,    A    “Special”   Warm Welcome   to   You!         We know ~ we can “all” make “Your Journey” smoother just by being here for you!   This is truly a great forum!!! ~ You have joined!  You are now part our forum family ~ a group of wonderful individuals who are so willing to share...   It helps “all of us” ~ to help you ~ if we know where you are on your path. So ~ Please stay with us and take our hand when you need it!   Keep posting.... OKAY!!     KNOWLEDGE     IS     POWER   ...   and   POWER conquers   fear   YOU MAKE THE DECISIONS… YOU HAVE OPTIONS… ~ and ~ Your decision will be the right decision for you!!!     v       bluebird ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb179/mamabluebird1955/mamabluebird3.jpg     (Direct Link ~ just click on the title below and a new window will open!   Reminder … click on the REFRESH icon once you get there) Prostate Cancer Resources, Helpful Hints , and Topic Thread Links This link is also located at the top of each prostate forum page... ;)
Posted 8/26/2007 4:58 PM (GMT -8)
partial quote from above: I will try and keep this as short as pos. My husband…   Hi ~ Prewitt, First thing about posting here…. “You” can type as much as you want and you can ask anything!!   We’re glad you found “all of us”…    There is so much information here on HealingWell. Stop and take a deep breath … and then continue to move forward searching for answers… STAY CLOSE....We are all here for you… take our hands and the journey will be made smoother. Keeping you close in thoughts and prayers…   In New Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy
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