Hi frost,

Welcome to Cancer Chat.

There are many users on here with similar experiences and I hope someone will be along soon to help answer your questions.

You could also call our specialist nurse team for some advice; you can telephone them on 0808 800 4040. They are open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Best wishes to you and your husband,

Renata

Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi

It's a shock to receive a cancer diagnosis, but a Gleason score of 7 is normally regarded as Medium risk and depending upon other factors is often curable. I was diagnosed with a Gleason 7 cancer 18 months ago, I had surgery 12 months ago and as far as anyone knows I am now cancer free.  I have a colleague who had a more advanced cancer than mine but after surgery and radiotherapy continues to do well and was recenty given the all clear for a further 12 months.

The major issue depends on whether the cancer is still confined within the prostate (a T1x or T2x cancer), has just broken through the prostate (a T3x cancer) or has spread (a T4x cancer).  In addition to the Gleason score, you may also have been given a cancer staging and you'll probably have a recent PSA figure already. 

If your husband's PSA is below 10 and/or the cancer stage is T1x or T2x then the prognosis is good to excellent.  A T3 cancer is more difficult to cure but far from hopeless. A T4 cancer is bad news, but probably would also have a higher Gleason score than 7. 

I expect the next diagnostic stages for your husband are an MRI scan and perhaps a bone scan.  This should give your oncologist a much better visualisation of the prostate and should show whether or not the cancer has broken through.  Fingers crossed it's good news.

I may sound pretty relaxed about it now, but I will admit it's worrying at the time.  At each step of the way you'll be expecting bad news whilst hoping for good news, and there will be some tears shed along the way.  Even now, I get antsy each time I have a follow up PSA test! Don't be shy posting here - there are people here who've gone and are going through this so don't feel you're alone.

Bob

Hi

My Gleason"s score is 4+3=7

What means that it's  no good when it comes to prognosis. PSA is 6.9,bones scan  in last month shown that  they're free  of metastasis so far.

I'm waiting until end of April to have a radical prostectomis. Time by the end of April is the worse. Day by day,night by night the same  deep feelings-well,may be my cancer is spreading just now?Nightmare. 

Best wishes & best  regards 

Hi Pawel.  Please don't panic.

Your PSA is actually low when compared to others, and from what you have posted elsewhere, your cancer stage is probably T2a, indicating it's organ confined and hasn't spread. This is eminently suitable for surgery, which will probably cure it, although you may need follow radiotherapy at some future point. You will know more once the surgery has been completed and the pathology results reported back to you. 

The bottom line is that 99% of men in your situation are still alive after 10 years.

What is the reason for the wait to have a prostatectomy? 

 Because so many patients are waiting for surgery,I did biopsies on 9th of January 2020,a then I've heard  I have to wait until the end of April  what is so stressful for me ,it takes 4 months at least. I'm  not pretty sure obviously that my prostate will be removed in April,I just guess. 

Besides,I suffer of prostatitis as well.

Are you in England?

If so, have a word with your GP and ask whether you can be transfered to a hospital with a shorter waiting list.  

 (Don't mention any hospital or doctor name here - it's against the T&C of the forum)

I'm in Scotland 

I'm not sure how it works in Scotland, but it's still worth having a chat with your GP.  There might be somewhere else you can go. 

FWIW, my surgery was delayed for about 6 months because of other issues, specifically getting my blood pressure under control.  I discussed this with my GP and was reassured that in my case, this delay was unlikely to cause any problems, but of course it added to my stress. 

Maybe it's worth discussing with your GP if there are any health probems that are likely to be flagged up when you have the pre-surgery assessment, which is usually a week or two before you get operated on. 

My pre-surgery  assessment is already  booked on on 17th of April and then  ,22nd of April I've got an appointment with Professor who is going to make a surgery for me.

Frankly speaking,two,full month left,according to my knowledge  Gleason 4 (+3=7) could caused a problem if my operation is far away.May be I'm wrong,but predominant cells 4 are quite dangerous in general. 

Because I'm  so desperate  I've checked out recently even prices in private hospitals nearby.My wife is trying to force me for earlier operation,even in private clinic. But  be honest,I prefer NHS