56 year old intermediate risk
I have 12/13 regions with prostrate cancer but my scores are low. 3+3 or 3+4 but for one region which is 4+3. My PSA score went from 9.9 to 12 to 13.3.
Of course, I have no symptoms and wish I never made the appointment in August of 22 with my GP. Many of my friends around my age haven’t seen a dr in years. One friend who is 56 also, the GP didn’t even do the PSA test bc it is misleading.
I’ve done the CT scan, bone scan and MRI. Prostrate cancer has not spread.
Urologist and oncologist are pushing for radiology with seed implant as well as hormone therapy. 2nd opinion doctor thinks surgery.
I don’t want to do anything but active surveillance. The thought I could have ED and urinary issues possibly for life pisses me off.
IS THE CURE WORSE THAN THE DISEASE?
Thoughts? Thx
@Ravi R, So sorry you are having to deal with this. You have asked some excellent questions. Over the years I have heard these words spoken many times. My father spoke these same words, especially with all the side effects. I'm not even going to think like a man, or what they are feeling or going through. Someone will be along to give you more input on their experience. Thanks for sharing. Please let us know how you are doing. Diane (Team Member)
Gleason scores that are in the 3+4 and 4+3 range are not the same as 3+3 and are generally worth your consideration. The good news is the cancer has not spread and it just may be the ideal time to stop it.
Prostate Cancer typically shows few symptoms and when it does that generally suggests it has spread and may indeed be advanced and harder to stop or treat. Surgery and radiation both appear to offer the same outcome as far as obtain remission. The one caution is if you do radiation first it is very difficult to do surgery if the cancer returns ( which it can) and also why your MD's will suggest ongoing testing. The choices are up to you on next steps that said i personally chose to treat the disease when it was most treatable and so far have been ok for 10 years.
Yes ... there are consequences to any medical procedure. At the same time there are also consequences if you decide not to treat unfortunately none of us can predict the future nor can we predict IF or WHEN a cancer will or will not spread. Feel free to reach out .... Dennis (ProstateCancer.net TEAM)Yeah
Can I wait 30 days to start radiation. Or will they have to do all the scans again
You should be ok to take the time to be comfortable with the decision you make. Getting second and often third opinion from pathologists, medical oncologists, urologists who specialize in prostate cancer at an NCCN Center of Excellence and a radiation oncologist who treats just urinary cancer. You may choose to start by having Dr. Epstein at Hopkins review the pathology slides. A Decipher test can be useful. Review the biopsies with your urolist to determine the number of positive cores, the % of each core that is cancer and the percent that is GL4. 
Hi
. With a Gleason 7 that appears to be contained to the prostate you should have time to examine options and get opinions. While side effects are definitely a risk, treatments have gotten much better at avoiding them and/or making them more controllable and treatable. Make sure to make quality of life part of the conversation about any treatment. I definitely don't want to sugarcoat it, but at this point don't yet assume the worst. Please know that this community is here for you and please feel free to keep us posted and ask questions. Wishing you the best. Richard (ProstateCancer.net Team)
