New Prostate Cancer Patient. DId I make the wrong decision?
Hello everyone,
I am a 61-year-old male that was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February. My urologist is a surgeon, so I decided on surgery without consulting with any other doctor's. I just want to know if I made the right decision. I will list the details below.
PSA one year ago 9.2
PSA now 7.4
Gleason score 6
Clinical stage T1c
5 out of 12 sites show cancer at 60%, 70%, 5%, 25%, and 5%
I did not consider radiation treatment since I have ulcerative colitis and am taking the drug Velsipity. I read online that radiation while taking Velsipity could cause skin cancer.
I just need advice. My surgery is scheduled in 2&1/2 weeks from now.
Did I make a decision too quickly and should I reconsider?
Thank you all for your help!
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Glad you found it helpful, God Bless
Hi
. It is certainly understandable to second guess decisions heading into something as important as prostate cancer treatment. I need to note that we are not medical professionals and, for your protection cannot provide medical advice. I do note that you mentioned your Gleason score is 6 and wondered if your doctor discussed active surveillance? This article from our editorial team goes into more detail: https://prostatecancer.net/treatment/active-surveillance. I ask because within the medical community there is some debate on whether Gleason 6 should be considered cancer and treated at that time (see here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9760953/ and here https://www.pcf.org/gleason-336-is-not-not-cancer/ for example). As a non-medical professional I can't offer an opinion on the question, but thought it might help with discussions with your doctor.
I also want to share with you this article from our editorial team on second opinions: https://prostatecancer.net/living/second-opinion. It notes that any doctor worth their salt should have no problem with it and that some insurance even requires it.
As a side note, we have a sister-site for inflammatory bowel disease at https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/. There you can find the same level of information and support for that condition as you find here for prostate cancer. Best, Richard (Team Member)
Hi Guy: Of course your case is unique and I am just a fellow PC patient so listening to the professionals is a smart way to go. That said I personally feel that surgery is a drastic course of treatment for many fellows in our situation. It sure wouldn't hurt and may really help you to seek an opinion from a good PC oncologist that is not a surgeon. With a Gleason 6 you should have time to speak to another Doc without undue worry.
Best of luck!
