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sheilaP
New User
Joined: 19 Apr 2008
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 8:08 pm Post subject: Father-in-Law just diagnosed Gleason Grade 9 |
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My father-in-law was just diagnosed with Prostatic Adenocarcinoma with a 4+5=9. Each apex and base (8 specimens) included cancer. One even contained 100% cancer. Unfortunately, we all know that prostate cancer is a slow developing cancer and he probably had it for a long time. At this time his PSA is 8.7. He also has perineural invasion. He went to the VA Hospital to find this out and they didn't even give him the Pathology Report at the time they were told. They were told that they would like to do a Bone Scan (not until middle of May) to see if it has metastasized to the bone. Since, I worked in a hospital in the Surgical Pathology Department, I knew what questions to ask. So, we got his slides and am having them looked at by one of my former pathologists I worked for. They were told that they probably would probably do some hormone treatment and MAYBE some radiation. This man is a 79 year old, otherwise been extremely healthy and the more active than the average 55 year old. He still is working to this day..just because he wants to. I have encouraged my parents to go to an Oncologist and be more aggressive with the diagnosis that he has been given. We will be seeing an Oncologist on Tuesday. Am I doing the right thing for my father-in-law? I want the best treatment for him. When I spoke to my former pathologist...he was very concerned and said he was at high risk and he suggested surgery. I would trust this doctor over the VA hospital anyday. Hope I'm not stepping on anyone's toes about VA hospitals but I want my father-in-law to get the best treatment he can receive.
Any thoughts? |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3008
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 10:46 pm Post subject: Re: Father-in-Law just diagnosed Gleason Grade 9 |
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sheilaP, I am very sorry about your father-in-law's cancer. As you know, his cancer is very aggressive. So, I agree with you about going to another oncologist to see if he can get treated more aggressively. A PSA of 8.7 is still kind of low but a Gleason Score of 4+5=9 is of concern.
I am not sure if surgery is or is not appropriate. But given your father-in-law's overall good health, I would not discount it so quickly.
Your FIL is in my thoughts and prayers.
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Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/
Last edited by brainman on Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:35 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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sheilaP
New User
Joined: 19 Apr 2008
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:04 pm Post subject: Re: Father-in-Law just diagnosed Gleason Grade 9 |
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[quote="brainman"]sheilaP, I am very sorry about your father-in-law's cancer. As you know, his cancer is very aggressive. So, I agree with you about going to another oncologist to see if he can get treated more aggressively. A PSA of 8.7 is still kind of low but a Gleason Score of 4+5=9 is of concern.
I am not sure if surgery is or is not appropriate. But given your father-in-law's overall good health, I would not discount it so quickly.
Your FIL is in my thoughts and prayers.[/quote]
Thank you for responding. I know that Dad's cancer is very aggressive and I am encouraging the surgery. I even mentioned going down to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston if we have to.
Thanks for your prayers. |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3008
Location: Tennessee
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johnw100
Senior User
Joined: 15 Apr 2006
Posts: 111
Location: australia
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| Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 6:33 pm Post subject: Re: Father-in-Law just diagnosed Gleason Grade 9 |
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"Any thoughts?"
Regarding your encouraging surgery, although your FIL is extremely healthy, keep in mind that even in the best of hands, it's a major surgery with potential side effects. With high volume high risk prostate cancer, in addition to local treatment, it could also be a probability that additional therapy is required.
Bone scans do not usually show anything until PSA is above 20: they are not routinely done with PSA under 10.
Especially for anyone with higher risk PC, I always suggest reading the book "Beating Prostate Cancer: Hormonal Therapy & Diet" by Dr Charles Myers. Dr Myers is a medical oncologist and is a PC survivor who used radiation and hormone treatment for his high risk PC about 9 years ago. His book also includes considerable information on radiation and the advantage of surgery.
I hope your Oncologist consultation goes well.
Best wishes,
John |
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Replicant
Moderator
Joined: 01 Nov 2006
Posts: 124
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| Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 8:48 pm Post subject: agree |
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Good advice from johnw100, as usual!
_________________
Replicant
Dx Feb 2006, PSA 9 @age 43
RRP Apr 2006 - Gleason 3+4, T3a, N0M0, pos margins
PSA 5/06 <0.1, 8/06 0.2, 12/06 0.6, 1/07 0.7.
Salvage radiation (IMRT) total dose 70.2 Gy, Jan-Mar 2007@ age 44
PSA 6/07 0.1, 9/07 <0.1, 12/07 <0.1, 4/08 <0.1
http://pcabefore50.blogspot.com |
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