Firstly thank you for your videos. I was diagnosed with gleason 7 ( 3÷4). I had 12 core's taken and 4 came back positive. I had 3 cores gleason 3+3 and 1 core 3+4. I took the advice of my urologist as Im a young man at 52, she said that I'd get away for a few years if I left it but because of my age it would ultimately start causing trouble. Im 3 weeks over robotic radical prostatectomy and surgery went well. Im a young man doc and I dont regret my decision in anyway and hopefully I have given myself a long and happy life with my family and friends.Thanks for your informed videos and for the time and detail you put into them.
I’m a prostate c/a survivor, also who had RP. With your young age I believe you made the right decision. God with you, and friends and family for a long happy life. 👍🏻
You may want to ask your doctors if there is a role for radiation to the prostate and the areas of metastasis. This is an option if there are fewer than 6 metastatic sites
Thank you for going into what data is available and providing context. I'm going on two years since radical prostatectomy. Since the surgery my PSA = 0. Self advocacy is important as my GP considered my rising PSA level to not be serious. On my own I went to a urologist and explained my family history of father dying from metastatic cancer and my uncle having his prostate removed and still alive at 89. My urologist did a biopsy and found cancer of Gleason 7 (3+4) and we decided to watch and wait. I insisted on a follow up biopsy eight months later and we discovered cancer now on both sides of my prostate. We quickly went to surgery and removed the prostate without incident. So far, no signs of cancer and I am able to urinate without issue. Additional note: the MRI showed no indications of cancer.
Im 65 and Its been 14 months since i had brachytherapy treatment for 3+4 Gleason score with psa of 23. Psa is now 1. Did not want surgery to remove prostrate Had active servalance for 3 years after psa level was climing steadily at 3+3 .3 biopsies, MRI,cat scan and peta scan, I have to mention the digital exam did not detect the legion as it was on the anterior side,thats why psa test is important. Testosterone level is normal and sexual function normal as before treatment, happy me !!!and if i may still some ejaculation. This may get dry I recommend bracytherapy if its the right time over surgery removal, prostatectomy, i understand way more problems with the prostatectomy. Thanks for the brerk down on your video .keep up the good work for prostrate cancer and men ,and tell them to get a psa test at least staring at 50 cheers
1000 views in 7 hours... Great job Dr. Ahdoot. I have reviewed all your videos; your channel not only has very good information in reviewing solid randomized studies but your narrative is unbiased which is greatly appreciated. I've been followed for a borderline and then high PSA (still < 10) for over a year and was diagnosed with PCA mostly 3+3 but one sample 3+4. In my early 60s I have been told I should get it treat it while it is contained, following the advise of a panel of 2 rad onc, med onc and onc surg I am booked for RALP. Many thanks for your contributions to patient care.
@@cancerbetter Thank you. I had looked at all your videos and researched focal treatment, despite being seen at two top major Harvard affiliated hospitals in Boston, none of them have a solid focal therapy center or operator with enough experience to go to.
BRILLIANT VIDEO. I’m going to go back and look at your earlier videos. I have BPE but at 80 years old I am obviously wary of this becoming cancer. I have an exam once a year, although usually just finger and ultrasound, not PSA.
The love of my life has metastatic prostate cancer. He also has a nephrostomy tube. He was diagnosed a year and a half ago. He won't take any treatment. He hurts all of the time, especially at night. He barely sleeps. Is still going to work every day. He has knots on his back, and they hurt. He won't go to the doctor. I'm absolutely terrified. I pray for a miracle every day. I wish to God there was something I could do for him. I can't live without him. I'm so afraid for him. He doesn't have health insurance, he pays for what little he goes to the doctor out of pocket. I just thought I'd have more time with him. I don't know that there's anything that can be done for him. I just want him to stay with me, or take me with him.
He can likely get treatment. Sounds like he would benefit from Lupron. You can reach out to the company and request a price reduction. They will often do it in situations where people lack resources to get life extending treatment. Also see if there is any state sponsored emergency insurance he can get. With treatment prostate cancer can be stopped often for many years
Thank you for posting. I was diagnosed with PC (gleeson 3+4) and was advised to watch and wait. PSA continued to rise, and i was then advised to have surgery. So far so good, but metastatic spread was never EVER discussed. No disrespect to those involved in my case, but I think it would have been helpful to discuss this aspect To those thinking of surgery, I had 90% control of my bladder in 6 weeks. The last 10 % took about another 6 weeks. I pee freely, but viagra does not work, so that department is gone, BUT i am alive with a PSA of
I have a video coming out Dec 1st about this issue of continence after prostatectomy you might appreciate. Glad that you ended up with a good continence outcome. With regard to your other function, speak with your doctors. There are options beyond Viagra.
I feel like my story has been told several times in the comments but anyway… I was 61 when my yearly physical showed my PSA at 4.2. I was referred to a urologist and one month later the PSA had risen to 4.7. The urologist scheduled me for a biopsy that showed a Gleason’s of 4 + 3. After much research and at the advice of some physicians I had a prostatectomy. The surgeon had my prostate go out for a sectional biopsy. That biopsy showed that I had some bad margins and I also received 37 radiation treatments. The biopsy also concluded that my Gleason’s score was higher at 4 + 5 so a 9 just a few months after the original diagnosis of a 7. I was,regretting my original decision to have the surgery since I ended up having radiation therapy anyway but I’m just over a year out from the surgery and I’m content now with my decision. My PSA in October was undetectable. I also requested genetic testing and I have indicators that will put my children at risk, so now they can be more proactive with early detection. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to post these videos and this one also made me feel like I had made the right decision. Slainte, DC🍀
@danconlan8735 Wow that’s a powerful story and reflects so many nuances in the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer. The first thing is the upgrading from Gleason 7 to 9. Upgrading happens in about 35% percent of people who have only a systematic biopsy and 7.5% of people who have an MRI targeted plus systematic biopsy (commonly referred to as a combined biopsy). Then the genetic testing coming back positive had an about 10% odds based on the high Gleason score and reflected an evidence based choice. The knowledge you gained will help your loved one’s get early screening and hopefully have simpler treatment options. I think people will learn a lot from your story and it’s a powerful thing to share. Thank you
Thank you doctor for making your videos. With a 3+4 on both sides, I decided to have RP. Dr. James Eastham and his team at Sloan Kettering in NYC were great. I withdrew my catheter 2 yrs ago and never had to use a pad, I threw them out. Please keep everyone informed with all the latest. God bless. 👍🏻
My brother went through the chemo and radiation HELL and then died. I wonder if he might have lived longer and with a much better quality of life if he had done nothing.
I’m so sorry to hear about your brother’s illness and passing. Cancer is terrible and we are trying to make things better for people but sometime medicine doesn’t do nearly enough.
Unfortunately the effects of prostate cancer treatment can be absolutely devastating. It's like deciding to get punched in the face everyday from now, or having this start in 10 years - but with a slightly harder punch.
It does sound scary. I totally get it but most people actually do well. I regularly have patients tell me after surgery "that really wasn't that bad" or "I thought this would be worse". Find the right people to guide you and I hope you will find the treatment process can be relatively straight forward.
I had a robotic prostatectomy 12 years ago. Best thing I ever did. No more cancer. No more urinary retention. My stream is like a teenager. And wonderfully- no more prostatitis which was miserable.
I had a robotic prostatectomy 8 weeks ago and there was absolutely nothing scary about it. I was terrified of what I might have to go through as I'm very much not a brave person. The only "pain" was soreness sitting up in bed from lying flat, and this only in the 1st week - really just like you'd done too many situps the previous day - not scary pain at all and ibuprofen and paracetamol dealt with that just fine. Once out of bed, no pain at all. By far the biggest problem was having to put up with a catheter for a week, but that was just a nuisance, not painful. I now have slight stress incontinence which just needs 1 thin pad/day - this is improving and hopefully will clear up entirely over the coming months.
Great video, I’m in England currently on Active Surveillance with Gleason 3+4, T2. Biopsy was 28 cores taken only 4 showed cancer & only 10% of those were Gleason 4. I’m being monitored with a three monthly PSa blood test & follow up MRI in 12/18 months. I was diagnosed in January 23. I’m hoping to stay on AS for as long as possible to avoid radical treatment
I was just informed by my Urologist yesterday that I have a Gleason score of 4+3. He has referred a PET Scan and its scheduled for 2/11/24 with follow up with the doctor on 3/12/24. He's sent my tissue samples for further evaluation, genetic I think, not sure. He's leaning towards radiation as a treatment option. I'm 79. Videos like yours are very helpful. Thanks. Also. I thank God I have health insurance. To go thru this is bad enough, but without proper insurance it would be unbearable. Live alone with minimal emotional support. But I'm focused on getting better.
Thanks for the video. Keeping up with prostate cancer information has helped me deal with this problem. I am lower level and am in the monitoring stage checking PSA every 6 months and yearly MRI.
I'm 77 yrs old, last year PSA was 6.1. Review videos decided to do Hifu with Dr Daniel Su. After months PSA 2.84, next 3months 2.0. Very happy with Dr Su's treatment!
Congrats on the outcome. A PSA decline of >40% after HIFU is usually associated with success. It definitely reassuring when I get this for my patients. None the less a biopsy 6-12 months after treatment is recommended
@juicer52 no issues. Treatment at Hoag in Irvine, ca. Next month go for a PSA test than 6 months later and MRI to confirm if no more cancel. Admittedly I had minor localized cancer so Hifu worked for me!
@@raymondrust9084 Please continue to update. HIFU appears a miracle in that unlike radiation, which can take 25-35 treatments, the changes from this one time (?) attack to the tissue doesn't preclude further HIFU or more importantly surgical treatments if initial success isn't achieved with HIFU.
Great video. Great data explanation. I'm 72 years old and have to practically beg my doctor to have a PSA test since he doesn't think it's necessary and we're all going to die with prostate cancer and not from it. This in spite of having both my younger brothers diagnosed with prostate cancer (one going through radiation now and the other had his prostate removed) and an uncle who died from it. Would be interested in what you think of my docs attitude.
Sounds overly simplistic in my opinion. On a population basis his view makes sense but on a per individual basis there are exceptions that can be investigated. Really makes most sense when a person has an life expectancy of well over 10 years
Yes that is the current standard to most gleason 6 prostate cancers. There are some uncommon exceptions such as high volume gleason 6 or gleason 6 with a very high PSA but for the majority of people with gleason 6 prostate cancer surveillance is a safe strategy with the lowest risk of side effects.
Dr. Ahdoot thank you for your videos. My psa showed a gradual rise over 18 months from a .8 to a 2.6 so at my pcps advice saw a urologist. Dre negative but did a t3 mri to be safe. Found a 1.3 cm lesion on the left apical anterior transition zone. I was given a pirads 4 rating so now scheduled for a transperineal fusion biopsy which i dont want to have at this stage. I read on another video that area of the prostate is rarely cancerous and my psa density was .06. I know you said anything less than .05 was was likely not cancer. I'm getting a 2nd opinion of the mri because im wondering how subjective the pirads rating is. If the next guy says im a pirads 3 then active surveillance seems reasonable. Im 68 and as the mri also showed i have a history of chronic prostatitis as well. The lesion is contained inside the prostate and no signs of any other issues currently. I'm really leaning towards waitng for now and getting additional psa testing and possibly another mri early next year if the psa shows continued increases. Thank you
Thanks for sharing your logic. It all seems reasonable! Prostate cancer diagnosis at a PSA below typical abnormal values is a bit of an all bets off scenario because most studies required a psa of >4 for study enrollment.
I read PSA density is a good predictor of progression. A density of 0.15 (your is quite low) and below are considered normal/safe. PIRADS is somewhat subjective and not what one should base a decision upon. I believe I’ve also read that if your PSA is below 2 at age 65 your risk is very low of spread and death. There are prostate cancer Nomogram’s that consider life expectancy based on your pathology report and the Canary PASS online also helps you stratify AS risk. A Decipher test would also help you know your risks. Hope this helps.
I am 88 and my last psa tested at 0.08. I had radiation in 2016 when my psa was 12.43. Radiation knocked down to 0.05. I will have another test at a different place. The veterans hospital. That is where the 0.05 was in 2016
my radiology oncologist wants me to do 5 days of stereotactic radiation and 18 months adt. im a 3+4 7 intermediate unfavorable 2b. im 66 and RT starts Friday , adt begins in 4 days. my decipher score is .97 . why do I need 18 months of horrnone therapy? had I joined the clinical trial, it would only have been 6 months.
I had a robotic prostatectomy 12 years ago. It was a bad 2 weeks and then easy. No more biopsies. No more cancer. No more urinary retention or urgency. No leakage. No more prostatitis, which was miserable.
@ Surgeon experience is the number one variable that ensures good results. My surgeon had done over 6000 robotic prostatectomies when he did my surgery 12 years ago. It’s likely up to 12000 now. I’ve spoken with so many men who have had poor results with inexperienced surgeons
@auricgoldfinger8478 that and technique! Video coming out Dec 1st about different prostatectomy techniques and outcomes associated with those techniques. I think you’ll appreciate it
Thank you for your informative videos!! I'm 64. I had biopsy last August: 2 cores positive one 3 +3, one 3 +4 (5% 4); 5.0 PSA; After 2nd opinion with UCSF Dr. Carroll, Kaiser finally agreed to do MRI. It showed a tumor 1.9cm confined to prostate (random biopsy has estimated 2mm, so 10x larger - not trusting biopsy too much). Now going to have targeted fusion biopsy at Kaiser. I am hoping for active surveillance, but if the new biopsy comes back "bad" I may do SBRT with Kaiser, or maybe pay out of pocket for focal treatment with Dr. Carroll...does that all sound reasonable?
Re underlying cause look up Dr Seyfried on cancer as a metabolic disease. Essentially, that is as a disease caused by chronically raised insulin as a result of diets based on carbohydrates e.g. bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and all the ultra processed derivatives with corn syrup. I find it to be a compelling argument. 1. Insulin is a growth hormone, stimulating cells to multiply. 2. All cancer cells are metabolically dysfunctional. Their mitochondria are unable to fully oxidise glucose, they can only ferment it. So, stop the glucose supply by not eating carbs and two things will happen. 1. You won't have the cancer stimulus from insulin. 2. Your body will switch to burning fat in the form of liver produced ketones instead of glucose. This starves cancers as they cannot use ketones and don't have the abundant supply of glucose that had been spoiling them for energy. This is ridiculously simple compared with the genetic theory of cancer. It has been known since Otto Warburg discovered it in the 1930s but largely ignored until Seyfried stumbled upon it following his research into epilepsy and ketosis. If I had known this before surgery I would have gone for a zero carb diet and seen what happened to my 3+4 rather than having a prostatectomy.
On somewhat different note, do you have any thoughts on if a daily Omega-3 supplement can increase or decrease PC risk? I've read conflicting literature and am not sure what to make of it. I'd like to take for its many other proven health benefits but dont want to take any chances.
>>Undetectable levels of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) have been reported from the first patient with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) to ever receive two cycles of Clarity’s 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA at the 8GBq dose level. PSA is a marker of tumour burden, clinical response to treatment and an indicator of the recurrence of disease for prostate cancer.
Biopsies should not be this painful. If it is ask to stop and do the procedure under anesthesia. It’s possible to do just less efficient. Even if prostate cancer has spread most cancers can be kept from growing with medications for over a decade
Well I had prosacectermy in 2017 with a low psa count now in 2025 my psa is a high 170 and have stage 4 prostate cancer. I was eligible for a trial of nuclear medicine every 6 weeks at Peter maccallum cancer centre and after my 6th episode was told it hasn't worked for me being 30% of failures now iam off again to the hospital for chemo of
Would it be worthwhile to have the most accurate metastasis test on say a yearly basis and if no sign just watch and wait as a sort of way of hedging your bet against suffering as you watch and wait.
I am undergoing The Triplet Treatment for my prostate cancer at age 65. My PSA was 100, and my Gleason score was 7,8,9 in certain areas of the prostate, but now, with my treatment, my PSA is 0.285 after two months. I was not able to urinate when it first started to complicate my life back in August 2024. I train 6 days a week with weights and treadmill aerobics. I also do situps to flatten my stomach. I also take calcium, magnesium, and D3 vitamins every day. I drink three cups of green tea, which makes me urinate much harder, like when I was 50. I was in good shape before this all happened, and I am in better shape now. How long can I live? From what I read, it does not look like I will reach my late 70's. Please write back.
the list of variables in considering a strategy of further diagnosing (blind biopsy, etc) vs watchful waiting must also include evaluating your urologist....my first was old school..never met a blind biopsy he didn't like....my second urologist nixed the biopsy and brought forth a term my first never discussed.....'density'...mine with a psa of 9 and prostate size of 180ccm was .05....no biopsy, but was really pushing hard to do a SRP....I told him to tap the brakes....I have found the urology field like others has a problem with blinders....paths recommended based on built in bias from med school to group think practices....even with all the brain power from major hospitals, not one doc ever sought to do a fasting insulin test....ya know..that hormone the can cause cataracts, heart growth, and supersize your prostate!!!!! Both my parents died in a hospital...my trust level is near zero
Are there any studies that show the chances of metastasis or death based on the location of the cancer within the prostate? For example, if a patient has a lesion closer to the center of the prostate vs closer to the edge, is there more likelihood that metastasis or death will occur? Likewise, are there any studies that show the same based on the size of the prostate? Thank you for these videos. You really are helping people understand this complicated disease.
There are these studies. The biggest predictor of risk of metastasis however is gleason score, followed by PSA. These two metrics matter more than lesion location.
I don’t have any studies that come to mind in particular but I do recall reviewing publications on this topic in the past. All I can say is the data is not that impressive and that Gleason score is a much more meaningful predictor of Mets than anything else. You can google the mskcc prostate cancer normogram to see some of this data of predicting Mets
As a nurse we used to say that elderly men did not die from prostat cancer. They died with it. But recently the new turbo cancers has changed everything about cancers. Now elderly men gets agressive prostate cancer and a friend of mine live with extreme sweating and cant take it anymore. He cant go back to work and he is depressed. According to new studies zero testosteron are causing cancers. And doctors have started giving testeron to post prostata cancer patients. He wants to bc his at his witts end sweating extremly and night. Anyone know how to help my friend ? Norwegian ret nurse👋❤️🇺🇸🇧🇻
For the vast majority of prostate cancers reducing testosterone levels in the circulation results in halting the growth of prostate cancer. Over long periods of time some subsets of the cancer cells can evolve to grow despite the low testosterone levels and these testosterone reducing medications stop working for those subsets of cells. That being said, stopping the medication is rarely done as the medication still works for the portion of the cancer that is sensitive to testosterone reduction.
From my past experience, I recommend prostrate removal if is cancerous to prevent cancer's spread to other organs. Had mine removed and with radiation treatment I am now cancer free years later! No regrets having it removed! Had a dear friend die recently when his cancer spread to other organs! The key here is to act early before it spreads!
@@JC-td4ggI had a RALP in 02/2021and struggled with SUI, 4-5 pads/day. I had a REEMEX Adjustable sling installed in 01/2024 and had my first adjustment in 08/2024. My SUI has been reduced to 1 slim pad/day and very manageable. Good luck on your journey!
Thank you for latest info, I am new here at 69 years old. PSA hit 4.9. Retest from urologist showed it went back to 3 something but 4K was high risk 19 I think. Father and brother both had prostate cancer, both had prostatectomy’s. DRE shows no abnormalities, no enlargement. Not very big in size but firm. Urologist want to biopsy (or mri was mentioned) I am EXTREMELY reluctant and put it off. I will agree to MRI for now.
Any talk of a PSMA Pet Scan(used in the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer) to rule out cancer outside of the prostate before any treatment is formulated?
@@cancerbetteryes my RO used my .29 low risk decipher and told me I won’t need ADT! My original pathology report was 4+3 Gleason 7 but MSK downgraded it to 3+4 Thank you, Doc I like your videos
Excellent data Doc thank you very much for taking the time and explaining it so succinctly. It’s great to have a resource such as this because you are correct some doctors out there just don’t give definitive enough information .
It can be tough to keep data from hundreds of studies in your head to recite during a visit. I sometimes even forget all the data points from my own publications and need to look up my own data. We need to be humble about our limitations and be willing to reference the data directly.
Dr, The video shows your passion caring for patients and furthure education. Patients that see you are very lucky. You go the extra mile producing these videos. You are doing a great service for all that view them. I’m sure It’s a thankless job. A Sincere thank you for your hard work and service. Scott
Hey Doc, thanks for your videos pretty informative and yes it was a disservice not to talk about the suffering for metastasis…..the one thing about Gleason 7 favorable 3-4 is the amount of grade 4 in those cores….. I had two cores that were favorable 3+4 ….One of my cores has 20% grade 4 and the other core has 35% grade 4 that puts me out of active surveillance and I don’t want this thing to metastasize because being on hormone therapy is the worst…..ADT is brutal. I belong to at least prostate cancer groups and the amount of men suffering from metatstic disease is so sad...there quality of likfe.....yeah sure these drugs can extend life but at what cost......? I'm having MRI guided Radiation, 5 sessins SBRT.....I have a low decipher .29
I have both 3+4 and 4+3, Gleason 7. I believe the 4+3 puts me in grade group 3. There was little discussion, if any, of 4+3 Gleason 7. Would this put me, generally in the expectant outcomes of Gleason 8 patients? Thank you.
I heard Dr. Carroll from UCSF presentation. One major takeaway, Metastasis-free survival - GG1: 100% free by 5 years and 98% free by 10 years. GG2: 99% free by 5 years and 95% by 10 years. I have favorable intermediate (simple cribriform) 3+4 =7 with less than 15%, low Decipher, negative for BRAC1/2. If things don’t progress, with 95% metastatic-free by 10 years, why treat? Another takeaway was Metastasis-free survival after delayed RP - At 5 years after RP - 97% remained recurrence-free; 95% free after no UG, 99% free after GG2, 96% free after GG3, 87% free after GG4. If you can kick the can down the road, per AS standards, I am putting treatment off as long as possible. I realize there are many ongoing factors I’ve not presented, but “Simple Cribiform is NOT the ones we will worry about. Yellow flag, not a red flag”, per the doctor. I guess I’ll see what the next biopsy recommends.
@ AnCan Foundation had Dr. Klotz and Dr. Carroll present. Dr. Carroll is the second pres. Title: “Is Pre-treatment Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer Safe” on September. 16, 2024. ua-cam.com/video/wRn4bRnCXLo/v-deo.htmlsi=u0Gn2cl_z-72mPmM.
@ The presentation was with AnCan support group. Dr. Klotz and Dr. Carroll presented on September 16th, 2024. Title: Is Pre-treatment Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer Safe”. What I wrote, I hope, represents the correct information. Please let me know your thoughts. ua-cam.com/video/wRn4bRnCXLo/v-deo.htmlsi=5DWpQBr1KaH7_HcS
Hi Doc. Thanks for the vids. I recently had some sort of viral infection with swollen gland in the neck area. I had a PSA test about a week later. It seemed to give a spiked reading. From 8 to 11. Should I have another test in a month or so to recheck. Cheers.
I disagree strongly. The decisions are far more nuanced and an approach for encouraging radiation for all patients clearly is missing that there are pros and cons to each treatment option. I try to be as fair and balanced as possible in these videos to help people see the decisions are not black and white as he suggests.
I'm 63M. My PSA went from 4 to 7 in one year after I began TRT. My urologist recommended stopping TRT until he figures out what is going on, saying testosterone can cause some existing cancers to grow quickly. But I saw Abe Morgentaler's interview with Rena Malik 10 days ago in which he said the Traverse study showed no difference in growth of existing prostate cancer from TRT. So that's very confusing. I'm also confused as to whether to do a biopsy (which the urologist will recommend) since I have seen information indicating biopsy can lead to metastasis. What a mess.
Can you please share the information you have seen that biopsy reads to metastasis. I have not seen clinical evidence of this. I have seen rare care reports (and written one) of biopsy resulting in a deposit of cancer along the biopsy track but this is very rare.
@@cancerbetter Yes, this is exactly what I was referring to, namely biopsy resulting in a deposit of cancer along the biopsy track. If it is very rare, I guess I can put that worry to bed. What about the other issue I mentioned above, relating to the possible connection between TRT and having existing cancers grow? Thanks in advance!
@Nordic_Sky cancer will usually grow in the context of T, but most localized prostate cancers grow slowly so it might but be very noticeable unless watched over months to years. Eliminating testosterone will usually stop the cancers growth for several years and is a treatment used after local treatments fail
To my knowledge, no. Lifestyle modification can be effective at reducing stress our risk of developing prostate cancer but once cancer has formed life style modifications cannot eliminate or downgrade cancer. Lifestyle modifications however CAN slow prostate cancer growth and the risk of death from the cancer.
Hi Dr. First of all thanks for that great video. I'm 52, and with with 2 tumor 4+3=7 and 1 3+4=7 gleason. I decided go for Radiacion Beam. Single treatment. How do thing? Please do you thing > need hormones therapy? Thanks in advance!
The decision about whether to do hormone suppressive therapy with your radiation therapy is one you should discuss with your radiation oncologist. For gleason 7 the data is controversial and people are generally moving towards reduced durations for ADT in these populations and rare no ADT at all.
Why isnt retzius more popular,currently in active surveilance at Johns Hopkins.If and when treatment is warranted will not go surgery route,couldnt deal with incontinence
I don’t think there is a retzius sparing provider at Hopkins. As a person who does retzius sparing and who teaches it I can tell you it’s not easy to learn or to teach. Most people have not had someone to mentor them through the learning process
Also he has had it for a year without treatment, because we didn't know he had it. He is 68 years old. When its already mastastesized and in the bones is it curable?
Cure once prostate cancer has spread is uncommon but is possible. Usually strategies for cure will involve treatment directed to isolated spots of cancer spread. In some situations this will cure it. In others situations it will greatly slow the cancer and buy time. Hormone suppression also stops cancer growth and and control cancer for often 5-8 years
The greater the extent of the spread the lower the likelihood of being able to cure it. The optimal patient with metastatic disease to get a cure would be a person with only one spot of cancer who has a complete PSA response (i.e. PSA goes to undetectable) after radiation to that node.
Hi , I have Gleason 9 , had radical pros 3 years ago and was 0.0 psa till my last test which I got last week was 0.02 . Doing next test in 3 months . Don’t know what to think .
So the key points to look at will be the total psa level and the rate of doubling. By contemporary standards typically radiation is suggested if psa rises above 0.1 and the psa doubling time is less than 18 months. PSA this low may stay this low or even become undetectable again so it’s wise to watch the psa over time as your doctor suggested
@ thanks for answering so quickly, I have had psa anxiety all weekend and have found your UA-cam channel and have watched about 6 episodes , I was actually just watching one when you responded. 👍
Just recently learned that not all Gleason 7 (3+4) is the same. If the 4 is cribriform, the only study I've seen shows the risk of both metastasis and death is much, much higher. Any thoughts on that?
@@cancerbetterperhaps an unusual question; what is better to have (more favorable): cribriform shape in lower gleason score (7) or higher gleasonscore (for example 8) without cribriform shape?
@@cancerbetterI was told by me doctor that “simple cribriform” is not a back actor. “Simple Cribiform is NOT the ones we will worry about. Yellow flag, not a red flag”. But he did say, “What I don’t want is for you to come back in a year and we do see more advance Cribiform because then the risk of recurrence is greater”. It seems like with Favorable Intermediate I’m in the equivocal state. He also said that it will not become metastatic.
Do you mean why is radiation now being used to treat metastatic disease? It is actually but currently has been shown to be helpful only in people with 5 areas of metastatic disease or fewer
I hope someone talks more about gleason 10. Treatments? Hope? My husband's PSA is dropping steadily from 850 originally. But no one talks about 10. We could sure use a ray of hope. Thanks.
Treatments are the same for Gleason 8-10 generally. Medical research has made good advances and the standard starting place is usually testosterone lowering medications.
I had a successful prostatectomy in 2015.The last part of August my PSA was 0.270. Fast forward in one year it is 0.520.Took a PSMA scan which showed no cancer but my urologist and radioligist still believe it is cancer unseen and want me to take lupron and radiation.I feel it is better to take another PSMA to see if and when it shows.I was a gleason 7 before surgery.Your opinion on this would be appreciated for this 74 year old confused man.
As a rule I try not to give medical advice on this channel as each person’s case is unique and I would need to review a persons full history and see them to give well informed advice. What I can do is tell you there is strong data showing that if a persons PSA doubling time is on pace to double in less than 9 months delaying treatment has substantially worse outcomes in the case of biochemical recurrence.
Get the Genomics Oncotype Dx Prostate tests is my path I followed. My Oncotypedx test said the cancer was very slow growing and I would die of old age first that was seven years ago. My PSA is 14 and I just had a PSMA scan it is clean other than the prostate. I have had a Gleason score of 6 in 2017. I am following Dr. Thomas Seyfried from Boston College go Keto, go water fast. Cancer can't survive in a Ketone environment is his explanation. Go watch Dr. Thomas Seyfried's video explanations. Just saying a friend of mine did the standard of care for his prostate and was dead within a year. We are 54 in the world for health care for good health care. So look to other countries, or doctors that are succeeding forget the USA MD's AMA they are always like a hundred years behind the finding of what is working. They poo pooed the discovery of the Polio vaccine for years, gave the doctor that said wash your hands all kinds of grief. The poor guy died like penniless and homeless. Gave the guy no credit for hundred of years that discovered Vitamin c stops rickets. Gave the doctor that invented the partial mastectomy a terrible time. So read up, your as smart as any doctor maybe more if your just have a little common sense to look for what is working and not a failing AMA standard of care nonsense.
DR. I have had an MRI and my PSA level is up. The MRI showed a lesion about 11 mm/1/3 lnch. I went to a urologist about 16 months ago because of an elevated PSA and he said, biopsy, I consented until I heard a fellow having a biopsy screaming bloody murder, so I have consented again. Here's my beef. I am 71 yrs. old and have a high morbidity rate. I have had two heart attacks, 1st one they said was a widow maker and needed major by-pass, the 2nd was from them screwing up the surgery. I am obese 100lbs. over weight with osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia very hard for me to move any more, I can't sleep., I need abdominal and esophagi surgery, gall bladder surgery I am wiped out. would it really do me any good at this point to go through the torture of the prostate problem when I really don't have but a short time left? Thank you.
You bring up a lot of very valid points. We generally say that is someone has under a 10 year life expectancy then prostate cancer screening is not worth it because the 10 year risk of prostate cancer causing death is generally low for a person with a PSA
@@cancerbetter DR. I neglected , I am also diabetic, have hypertension and too many red blood cells. (Thick blood) I don't (can't)sleep. Don't even drive my car anymore because my wife say's I am going to kill someone. So at 71.5 yrs. do you think I will make it another 10 yrs.? I hope not there is no quality of life left. To be honest with you I really don't want people sticking me with needles for biopsies, I hate needles unless I'm asleep.
My prostate cancer story 1st I peed blood then got biopsy within 2 weeks cancer was in all 16 biopsy PSA 4.0 (Gleason score 3÷4=7) and MRI then removed prostate. PSA was still at 4.0 did PSMA which I ask for 3 times before prostate removal Dr. said no need it . didn't show in your Lymph nodes and would of shown on the MRI. Well it metastasized to T10 vertebrae and lesions both sides of the pelvic bones 25.77 left 21.22 on right in 3 months... did chemotherapy 6 months and cancer lession only went down 25.11 left and 21.00 on right.. ADT for the rest of my life it takes all of being a man away from you its what trans take to change their sex, so you said not to worry about 3+4=7 not true in my case 🤔 and yes MRI misses cancer so get a PSMA scan it's just for prostate cancer.... Thank you for your video and the depth of it great job I do have a question in my case the Dr. Didn't do a PSMA before he took out the prostate by doing the surgery could it have spread to my bones in the 3 months waiting time for the PSA to level off? Like I mentioned he said it didn't show in the MRI before surgery but in my post op appointment he told me that it was coming out of the prostate and I said hope you got it all and that's why I ask for the PSMA scan before surgery 3 months late in stage 4 . But I know now that he's changed protocol in doing PSMA before removal I really hope you will reply back about this. Thank you
Sorry to hear it spread. It sounds like it spread before your surgery. It’s uncommon for this kind of aggressiveness of GG 2 prostate cancer and perhaps the biopsy understated the cancer. I would check your prospective pathology report. Please talk to your doctor about potential radiation therapy to the bone Mets. If there are fewer than 5 locations radiating those locations can help
I haven't and I admit it doesn't seem fun but its currently the best option available to get certainty that a person's cancer has not chnaged into something more dangerous.
@@arnoldbustos3890 I had one a couple months ago. Was pretty sore after but recovery is quick. Not crazy high on the pain scale. I think there is a lot of mental apprehension and stress. It's just weird! Definitely would not want to be a frequent flier.
I had a trans perineal biopsy 3 years ago. It was painless and I had no post operative pain or discomfort. The only thing that made me flinch was an unexpected blast of freezing spray prior to the local anaesthetic injection. Obviously other people have had different experiences but perhaps worth flagging up that it needn't be unpleasant.
I've had two in office biopsy procedures in recent years. It's a pretty quick procedure once insertion is made. The most painful part is the actual insertion. The local anesthetic helps. For me, recovery was quick with no complications. The reward is worth the risk of temporary discomfort. I'd rather know than not know where my cancer stands.
Hi Doc, Im a gleason 6 and my psa was at 7.3, in Dec 2023,, Now in Nov 2024 just took a psa exam and now its 11.3 ,, Should i take out or keep waiting?
@mperloe I'm sure if I try to point you to where the evidence is I will be silenced by the UA-cam censor drones. Let's see if this simple response gets evaporated.
I can tell you the biopsies aren't that accurate. I was told I had Gleason 8 and was high risk. After prostatectomy, my actual results were Gleason 7 (4+3). While it probably wouldn't have changed my decision, it certainly would have changed the urgency and fear.
Good video easy too understand, but what about small percentage of Men with PSA not elevated, I don’t think it’s just small cell cancer that PSA not elevated.
That is a completely different situation. When I talk about prostate cancer in this video I am talking about the most common form of prostate cancer called adenocarcinoma. Small cell cancer thens to be more aggressive and respond differently to treatment. While surgery and radiation are still used for small cell the success rates are different and in some situations chemotherapy may be used. I would strongly recommend going to an academic center for small cell as its less common and people at academic centers will likely have more experience with it.
It's so disheartening that you guys want those of us with Gleason 3+4 to get treatment when the side effects of treatment are so devastating. Treatments has not gotten better.
This is why I share the data. Some people think the trade off is worth it and others don’t. It’s by sharing the information that we help people get the treatment they want
Hi Doc, Im a gleason 6 and my psa was at 7.3, in Dec 2023,, Now in Nov 2024 just took a psa exam and now its 11.3 ,, Should i take out or keep waiting?Im 55 this month
Definitely speak with your doctor. I generally do not recommend any treatment decisions on PSA alone as PSA can vary based on several factors beyond only prostate cancer
Firstly thank you for your videos. I was diagnosed with gleason 7 ( 3÷4). I had 12 core's taken and 4 came back positive. I had 3 cores gleason 3+3 and 1 core 3+4. I took the advice of my urologist as Im a young man at 52, she said that I'd get away for a few years if I left it but because of my age it would ultimately start causing trouble. Im 3 weeks over robotic radical prostatectomy and surgery went well. Im a young man doc and I dont regret my decision in anyway and hopefully I have given myself a long and happy life with my family and friends.Thanks for your informed videos and for the time and detail you put into them.
Thanks for sharing your story
@@michaelcasey6546 CANCER DOCTORS ARE GREEDY
I’m a prostate c/a survivor, also who had RP. With your young age I believe you made the right decision. God with you, and friends and family for a long happy life. 👍🏻
@generalnguyenngocloan1700 Thank you so much for your kind words, it means a lot. God bless you and your family now and always.
As a young person, any ED concern?
I'm researching for my husband. Lots of testing and waiting. I appreciate your informative video.
So happy I can help. New videos coming on the first of the month.
I just had hormone therapy one year definitely screws up a guys ability so be careful I wish I hadn't done it so long maybe 6months tops .......
Thank you. Newly diagnosed with metastatic p cancer. Just had biopsy yesterday and TURP surgery. Finding research articles like yours is a great help.
You may want to ask your doctors if there is a role for radiation to the prostate and the areas of metastasis. This is an option if there are fewer than 6 metastatic sites
Please read what I just posted I've been dealing with Dr.s that miss things
Thank you for going into what data is available and providing context. I'm going on two years since radical prostatectomy. Since the surgery my PSA = 0. Self advocacy is important as my GP considered my rising PSA level to not be serious. On my own I went to a urologist and explained my family history of father dying from metastatic cancer and my uncle having his prostate removed and still alive at 89. My urologist did a biopsy and found cancer of Gleason 7 (3+4) and we decided to watch and wait. I insisted on a follow up biopsy eight months later and we discovered cancer now on both sides of my prostate. We quickly went to surgery and removed the prostate without incident. So far, no signs of cancer and I am able to urinate without issue. Additional note: the MRI showed no indications of cancer.
Thank you for sharing your experience and I agree education and self advocacy makes a difference in outcomes.
How is your sexual function? Can you still get the same kind of erection as before surgery?
Additional note about the MRI is interesting to me
sexual side effects?
Im 65 and Its been 14 months since i had brachytherapy treatment for 3+4 Gleason score with psa of 23.
Psa is now 1.
Did not want surgery to remove prostrate
Had active servalance for 3 years after psa level was climing steadily at 3+3 .3 biopsies, MRI,cat scan and peta scan,
I have to mention the digital exam did not detect the legion as it was on the anterior side,thats why psa test is important.
Testosterone level is normal and sexual function normal as before treatment, happy me !!!and if i may still some ejaculation.
This may get dry
I recommend bracytherapy if its the right time over surgery removal, prostatectomy, i understand way more problems with the prostatectomy.
Thanks for the brerk down on your video .keep up the good work for prostrate cancer and men ,and tell them to get a psa test at least staring at 50 cheers
1000 views in 7 hours... Great job Dr. Ahdoot. I have reviewed all your videos; your channel not only has very good information in reviewing solid randomized studies but your narrative is unbiased which is greatly appreciated. I've been followed for a borderline and then high PSA (still < 10) for over a year and was diagnosed with PCA mostly 3+3 but one sample 3+4. In my early 60s I have been told I should get it treat it while it is contained, following the advise of a panel of 2 rad onc, med onc and onc surg I am booked for RALP. Many thanks for your contributions to patient care.
Maybe you are a focal therapy candidate? Try looking at my video about that. HIFU is now covered by several insurance providers
@@cancerbetter Thank you. I had looked at all your videos and researched focal treatment, despite being seen at two top major Harvard affiliated hospitals in Boston, none of them have a solid focal therapy center or operator with enough experience to go to.
BRILLIANT VIDEO. I’m going to go back and look at your earlier videos. I have BPE but at 80 years old I am obviously wary of this becoming cancer. I have an exam once a year, although usually just finger and ultrasound, not PSA.
The love of my life has metastatic prostate cancer. He also has a nephrostomy tube. He was diagnosed a year and a half ago. He won't take any treatment. He hurts all of the time, especially at night. He barely sleeps. Is still going to work every day. He has knots on his back, and they hurt. He won't go to the doctor. I'm absolutely terrified. I pray for a miracle every day. I wish to God there was something I could do for him. I can't live without him. I'm so afraid for him. He doesn't have health insurance, he pays for what little he goes to the doctor out of pocket. I just thought I'd have more time with him. I don't know that there's anything that can be done for him. I just want him to stay with me, or take me with him.
He can likely get treatment. Sounds like he would benefit from Lupron. You can reach out to the company and request a price reduction. They will often do it in situations where people lack resources to get life extending treatment.
Also see if there is any state sponsored emergency insurance he can get. With treatment prostate cancer can be stopped often for many years
He is so lucky to have you.
Look into metabolic therapy or immunotherapy.
Thank you for posting. I was diagnosed with PC (gleeson 3+4) and was advised to watch and wait. PSA continued to rise, and i was then advised to have surgery. So far so good, but metastatic spread was never EVER discussed. No disrespect to those involved in my case, but I think it would have been helpful to discuss this aspect
To those thinking of surgery, I had 90% control of my bladder in 6 weeks. The last 10 % took about another 6 weeks. I pee freely, but viagra does not work, so that department is gone, BUT i am alive with a PSA of
I have a video coming out Dec 1st about this issue of continence after prostatectomy you might appreciate. Glad that you ended up with a good continence outcome. With regard to your other function, speak with your doctors. There are options beyond Viagra.
When was the surgery?
I feel like my story has been told several times in the comments but anyway… I was 61 when my yearly physical showed my PSA at 4.2. I was referred to a urologist and one month later the PSA had risen to 4.7. The urologist scheduled me for a biopsy that showed a Gleason’s of 4 + 3. After much research and at the advice of some physicians I had a prostatectomy. The surgeon had my prostate go out for a sectional biopsy. That biopsy showed that I had some bad margins and I also received 37 radiation treatments. The biopsy also concluded that my Gleason’s score was higher at 4 + 5 so a 9 just a few months after the original diagnosis of a 7. I was,regretting my original decision to have the surgery since I ended up having radiation therapy anyway but I’m just over a year out from the surgery and I’m content now with my decision. My PSA in October was undetectable. I also requested genetic testing and I have indicators that will put my children at risk, so now they can be more proactive with early detection. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to post these videos and this one also made me feel like I had made the right decision.
Slainte,
DC🍀
@danconlan8735 Wow that’s a powerful story and reflects so many nuances in the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer. The first thing is the upgrading from Gleason 7 to 9. Upgrading
happens in about 35% percent of people who have only a systematic biopsy and 7.5% of people who have an MRI targeted plus systematic biopsy (commonly referred to as a combined biopsy). Then the genetic testing coming back positive had an about 10% odds based on the high Gleason score and reflected an evidence based choice. The knowledge you gained will help your loved one’s get early screening and hopefully have simpler treatment options. I think people will learn a lot from your story and it’s a powerful thing to share. Thank you
Thank you doctor for making your videos. With a 3+4 on both sides, I decided to have RP. Dr. James Eastham and his team at Sloan Kettering in NYC were great. I withdrew my catheter 2 yrs ago and never had to use a pad, I threw them out. Please keep everyone informed with all the latest. God bless. 👍🏻
Thanks for sharing your story
My brother went through the chemo and radiation HELL and then died. I wonder if he might have lived longer and with a much better quality of life if he had done nothing.
I’m so sorry to hear about your brother’s illness and passing. Cancer is terrible and we are trying to make things better for people but sometime medicine doesn’t do nearly enough.
I love straight up data. That was useful. Thank you, Dr. Ahdoot. I hope you & your family are safe from the fire....jt
Happy I could share my knowledge to help
Just diagnosed. Thank you for this information.
Very welcome!
Unfortunately the effects of prostate cancer treatment can be absolutely devastating. It's like deciding to get punched in the face everyday from now, or having this start in 10 years - but with a slightly harder punch.
Agree 100 percent!
It does sound scary. I totally get it but most people actually do well. I regularly have patients tell me after surgery "that really wasn't that bad" or "I thought this would be worse". Find the right people to guide you and I hope you will find the treatment process can be relatively straight forward.
I had a robotic prostatectomy 12 years ago. Best thing I ever did. No more cancer. No more urinary retention. My stream is like a teenager. And wonderfully- no more prostatitis which was miserable.
I had a robotic prostatectomy 8 weeks ago and there was absolutely nothing scary about it. I was terrified of what I might have to go through as I'm very much not a brave person. The only "pain" was soreness sitting up in bed from lying flat, and this only in the 1st week - really just like you'd done too many situps the previous day - not scary pain at all and ibuprofen and paracetamol dealt with that just fine. Once out of bed, no pain at all. By far the biggest problem was having to put up with a catheter for a week, but that was just a nuisance, not painful. I now have slight stress incontinence which just needs 1 thin pad/day - this is improving and hopefully will clear up entirely over the coming months.
@plong6246 it’s very kind of you to share your story to help others.
Thank you for your informative videos
You are one of the doctors that I trust the most..
Very kind of you. I’m try to leave any bias out so people really do have good information.
Excellent summary of the data. Appreciate the nuance in the commentary.
Glad I can help share my knowledge
Much appreciated and exceptionally informative! Will share.
Glad you enjoyed it!
So glad I found you! Youre final thought really sewed it up nicely! I'm 3+4, and so conflicted...
THank you!
how much grade 4 is in that 3+4? anything 20% or over can quickly turn to unfavorable......
Great video, I’m in England currently on Active Surveillance with Gleason 3+4, T2. Biopsy was 28 cores taken only 4 showed cancer & only 10% of those were Gleason 4. I’m being monitored with a three monthly PSa blood test & follow up MRI in 12/18 months. I was diagnosed in January 23.
I’m hoping to stay on AS for as long as possible to avoid radical treatment
Makes me very happy to see I’m able to help!
Love your videos. You are really doing a great job with education on a very important subject. Keep them coming.
Thank you! Will do
Great video. Thank you for sharing this information!
Glad you enjoyed it!
MRI guided SBRT is a miracle when done at an excellent facility. (Gleason 7)
👍🏻
I was just informed by my Urologist yesterday that I have a Gleason score of 4+3. He has referred a PET Scan and its scheduled for 2/11/24 with follow up with the doctor on 3/12/24. He's sent my tissue samples for further evaluation, genetic I think, not sure. He's leaning towards radiation as a treatment option. I'm 79. Videos like yours are very helpful. Thanks. Also. I thank God I have health insurance. To go thru this is bad enough, but without proper insurance it would be unbearable. Live alone with minimal emotional support. But I'm focused on getting better.
I’m happy the videos were helpful and I wish you a speedy treatment and quick recovery
Had prostate cancer did cyberknife radiation therapy Gleason score 7 it spread to lymph node in pelvic area more radiation and no more cancer yet
Very happy to hear that! Hope it never does
Thanks for the video. Keeping up with prostate cancer information has helped me deal with this problem. I am lower level and am in the monitoring stage checking PSA every 6 months and yearly MRI.
Sounds like you are on a good protocol
My Gleason scores, 2 non detect, 3 were 3+4 and 7 were 3+3. PSA was 4.1. I go to MD Anderson in March to decide treatment
I'm 77 yrs old, last year PSA was 6.1. Review videos decided to do Hifu with Dr Daniel Su. After months PSA 2.84, next 3months 2.0. Very happy with Dr Su's treatment!
Congrats on the outcome. A PSA decline of >40% after HIFU is usually associated with success. It definitely reassuring when I get this for my patients. None the less a biopsy 6-12 months after treatment is recommended
Yes, in 6 months a MRI scheduled
where did you have the HIFU performed? can you describe any post op issues?
@juicer52 no issues. Treatment at Hoag in Irvine, ca. Next month go for a PSA test than 6 months later and MRI to confirm if no more cancel. Admittedly I had minor localized cancer so Hifu worked for me!
@@raymondrust9084 Please continue to update. HIFU appears a miracle in that unlike radiation, which can take 25-35 treatments, the changes from this one time (?) attack to the tissue doesn't preclude further HIFU or more importantly surgical treatments if initial success isn't achieved with HIFU.
Great video. Great data explanation. I'm 72 years old and have to practically beg my doctor to have a PSA test since he doesn't think it's necessary and we're all going to die with prostate cancer and not from it. This in spite of having both my younger brothers diagnosed with prostate cancer (one going through radiation now and the other had his prostate removed) and an uncle who died from it. Would be interested in what you think of my docs attitude.
Sounds overly simplistic in my opinion. On a population basis his view makes sense but on a per individual basis there are exceptions that can be investigated. Really makes most sense when a person has an life expectancy of well over 10 years
Get a new Doctor!
Well with most early stage PC men are advised to have active surveillance rather than immediate radical treatment.
Yes that is the current standard to most gleason 6 prostate cancers. There are some uncommon exceptions such as high volume gleason 6 or gleason 6 with a very high PSA but for the majority of people with gleason 6 prostate cancer surveillance is a safe strategy with the lowest risk of side effects.
Thank you for the data.
Any time!
57 and I just got my PSA results back @ 11.7! yikes. I'll be hearing from my urologist soon enough I'm sure.
First step is often to recheck it. Abstain from sex/masterbation for 3 days before the blood draw.
appreciate your valuable info
Happy I can share my knowledge with those who can benefit.
Dr. Ahdoot thank you for your videos. My psa showed a gradual rise over 18 months from a .8 to a 2.6 so at my pcps advice saw a urologist. Dre negative but did a t3 mri to be safe. Found a 1.3 cm lesion on the left apical anterior transition zone. I was given a pirads 4 rating so now scheduled for a transperineal fusion biopsy which i dont want to have at this stage. I read on another video that area of the prostate is rarely cancerous and my psa density was .06. I know you said anything less than .05 was was likely not cancer. I'm getting a 2nd opinion of the mri because im wondering how subjective the pirads rating is. If the next guy says im a pirads 3 then active surveillance seems reasonable. Im 68 and as the mri also showed i have a history of chronic prostatitis as well. The lesion is contained inside the prostate and no signs of any other issues currently. I'm really leaning towards waitng for now and getting additional psa testing and possibly another mri early next year if the psa shows continued increases. Thank you
Thanks for sharing your logic. It all seems reasonable! Prostate cancer diagnosis at a PSA below typical abnormal values is a bit of an all bets off scenario because most studies required a psa of >4 for study enrollment.
I read PSA density is a good predictor of progression. A density of 0.15 (your is quite low) and below are considered normal/safe. PIRADS is somewhat subjective and not what one should base a decision upon. I believe I’ve also read that if your PSA is below 2 at age 65 your risk is very low of spread and death. There are prostate cancer Nomogram’s that consider life expectancy based on your pathology report and the Canary PASS online also helps you stratify AS risk. A Decipher test would also help you know your risks. Hope this helps.
I am 88 and my last psa tested at 0.08. I had radiation in 2016 when my psa was 12.43. Radiation knocked down to 0.05. I will have another test at a different place. The veterans hospital. That is where the 0.05 was in 2016
my radiology oncologist wants me to do 5 days of stereotactic radiation and 18 months adt. im a 3+4 7 intermediate unfavorable 2b. im 66 and RT starts Friday , adt begins in 4 days. my decipher score is .97 . why do I need 18 months of horrnone therapy? had I joined the clinical trial, it would only have been 6 months.
I had a robotic prostatectomy 12 years ago. It was a bad 2 weeks and then easy. No more biopsies. No more cancer. No more urinary retention or urgency. No leakage. No more prostatitis, which was miserable.
Nice to hear some happy stories which are reflective of the most common outcome
@ Surgeon experience is the number one variable that ensures good results. My surgeon had done over 6000 robotic prostatectomies when he did my surgery 12 years ago. It’s likely up to 12000 now. I’ve spoken with so many men who have had poor results with inexperienced surgeons
@auricgoldfinger8478 that and technique! Video coming out Dec 1st about different prostatectomy techniques and outcomes associated with those techniques. I think you’ll appreciate it
Thank you Sir
Most welcome
Thank you for your informative videos!! I'm 64. I had biopsy last August: 2 cores positive one 3 +3, one 3 +4 (5% 4); 5.0 PSA; After 2nd opinion with UCSF Dr. Carroll, Kaiser finally agreed to do MRI. It showed a tumor 1.9cm confined to prostate (random biopsy has estimated 2mm, so 10x larger - not trusting biopsy too much). Now going to have targeted fusion biopsy at Kaiser. I am hoping for active surveillance, but if the new biopsy comes back "bad" I may do SBRT with Kaiser, or maybe pay out of pocket for focal treatment with Dr. Carroll...does that all sound reasonable?
Excellent
Thank you!
Underlying cause, steps to prevent would be a nice addition to your information! 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
Re underlying cause look up Dr Seyfried on cancer as a metabolic disease. Essentially, that is as a disease caused by chronically raised insulin as a result of diets based on carbohydrates e.g. bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and all the ultra processed derivatives with corn syrup.
I find it to be a compelling argument.
1. Insulin is a growth hormone, stimulating cells to multiply.
2. All cancer cells are metabolically dysfunctional. Their mitochondria are unable to fully oxidise glucose, they can only ferment it.
So, stop the glucose supply by not eating carbs and two things will happen.
1. You won't have the cancer stimulus from insulin.
2. Your body will switch to burning fat in the form of liver produced ketones instead of glucose. This starves cancers as they cannot use ketones and don't have the abundant supply of glucose that had been spoiling them for energy.
This is ridiculously simple compared with the genetic theory of cancer. It has been known since Otto Warburg discovered it in the 1930s but largely ignored until Seyfried stumbled upon it following his research into epilepsy and ketosis.
If I had known this before surgery I would have gone for a zero carb diet and seen what happened to my 3+4 rather than having a prostatectomy.
Sure I can make a video on that. Thanks for the suggestions. Its actually a fairly complex topic but I can share what we know.
On somewhat different note, do you have any thoughts on if a daily Omega-3 supplement can increase or decrease PC risk? I've read conflicting literature and am not sure what to make of it. I'd like to take for its many other proven health benefits but dont want to take any chances.
To my knowledge there is no effect
>>Undetectable levels of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) have been reported from the first patient with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) to ever receive two cycles of Clarity’s 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA at the 8GBq dose level. PSA is a marker of tumour burden, clinical response to treatment and an indicator of the recurrence of disease for prostate cancer.
Exciting stuff! I know I am excited for many of these future PSMA targeting medications.
My biopsy was so painful I didn't go back
5yrs later too late
Biopsies should not be this painful. If it is ask to stop and do the procedure under anesthesia. It’s possible to do just less efficient.
Even if prostate cancer has spread most cancers can be kept from growing with medications for over a decade
Thank you. Very informative video. I think my blood pressure will go down.
LOL happy to hear it
Well I had prosacectermy in 2017 with a low psa count now in 2025 my psa is a high 170 and have stage 4 prostate cancer. I was eligible for a trial of nuclear medicine every 6 weeks at Peter maccallum cancer centre and after my 6th episode was told it hasn't worked for me being 30% of failures now iam off again to the hospital for chemo of
Would it be worthwhile to have the most accurate metastasis test on say a yearly basis and if no sign just watch and wait as a sort of way of hedging your bet against suffering as you watch and wait.
Usually psa is used first to see if there is any sign of cancer after treatment. If psa is rising then a psma pet is often ordered.
I am undergoing The Triplet Treatment for my prostate cancer at age 65. My PSA was 100, and my Gleason score was 7,8,9 in certain areas of the prostate, but now, with my treatment, my PSA is 0.285 after two months. I was not able to urinate when it first started to complicate my life back in August 2024. I train 6 days a week with weights and treadmill aerobics. I also do situps to flatten my stomach. I also take calcium, magnesium, and D3 vitamins every day. I drink three cups of green tea, which makes me urinate much harder, like when I was 50. I was in good shape before this all happened, and I am in better shape now. How long can I live? From what I read, it does not look like I will reach my late 70's. Please write back.
You will have a great life, keep doing your exercises and weights regularly you will celebrate your 80th birthday.
the list of variables in considering a strategy of further diagnosing (blind biopsy, etc) vs watchful waiting must also include evaluating your urologist....my first was old school..never met a blind biopsy he didn't like....my second urologist nixed the biopsy and brought forth a term my first never discussed.....'density'...mine with a psa of 9 and prostate size of 180ccm was .05....no biopsy, but was really pushing hard to do a SRP....I told him to tap the brakes....I have found the urology field like others has a problem with blinders....paths recommended based on built in bias from med school to group think practices....even with all the brain power from major hospitals, not one doc ever sought to do a fasting insulin test....ya know..that hormone the can cause cataracts, heart growth, and supersize your prostate!!!!! Both my parents died in a hospital...my trust level is near zero
Are there any studies that show the chances of metastasis or death based on the location of the cancer within the prostate? For example, if a patient has a lesion closer to the center of the prostate vs closer to the edge, is there more likelihood that metastasis or death will occur? Likewise, are there any studies that show the same based on the size of the prostate?
Thank you for these videos. You really are helping people understand this complicated disease.
There are these studies. The biggest predictor of risk of metastasis however is gleason score, followed by PSA. These two metrics matter more than lesion location.
@@cancerbetter You said "these studies" - which studies are you referring to? Thank you for your reply and for your excellent videos!!
I don’t have any studies that come to mind in particular but I do recall reviewing publications on this topic in the past. All I can say is the data is not that impressive and that Gleason score is a much more meaningful predictor of Mets than anything else. You can google the mskcc prostate cancer normogram to see some of this data of predicting Mets
@@cancerbetter OK, will do! Thank you!
thank you
Welcome!
As a nurse we used to say that elderly men did not die from prostat cancer. They died with it. But recently the new turbo cancers has changed everything about cancers. Now elderly men gets agressive prostate cancer and a friend of mine live with extreme sweating and cant take it anymore. He cant go back to work and he is depressed. According to new studies zero testosteron are causing cancers. And doctors have started giving testeron to post prostata cancer patients. He wants to bc his at his witts end sweating extremly and night. Anyone know how to help my friend ? Norwegian ret nurse👋❤️🇺🇸🇧🇻
For the vast majority of prostate cancers reducing testosterone levels in the circulation results in halting the growth of prostate cancer. Over long periods of time some subsets of the cancer cells can evolve to grow despite the low testosterone levels and these testosterone reducing medications stop working for those subsets of cells. That being said, stopping the medication is rarely done as the medication still works for the portion of the cancer that is sensitive to testosterone reduction.
Sure, watch dr Campbell's videos re ivermectin and fenbendazole .. problem solved
From my past experience, I recommend prostrate removal if is cancerous to prevent cancer's spread to other organs. Had mine removed and with radiation treatment I am now cancer free years later! No regrets having it removed! Had a dear friend die recently when his cancer spread to other organs! The key here is to act early before it spreads!
I really agree with you.
@@cancerbetter I am now going to have the Sling surgery to allow me not to leak. Should have done it sooner.
@JC-td4gg I wish you a speedy recovery!
@@JC-td4ggI had a RALP in 02/2021and struggled with SUI, 4-5 pads/day. I had a REEMEX Adjustable sling installed in 01/2024 and had my first adjustment in 08/2024. My SUI has been reduced to 1 slim pad/day and very manageable. Good luck on your journey!
@@thomashall9641 Surgery scheduled for 1/13/25. Thanks for heads up.
Thank you for latest info, I am new here at 69 years old.
PSA hit 4.9.
Retest from urologist showed it went back to 3 something but 4K was high risk 19 I think.
Father and brother both had prostate cancer, both had prostatectomy’s.
DRE shows no abnormalities, no enlargement. Not very big in size but firm.
Urologist want to biopsy (or mri was mentioned)
I am EXTREMELY reluctant and put it off.
I will agree to MRI for now.
Sounds like a good idea. More information from an MRI will help to further stratify your risk.
Any talk of a PSMA Pet Scan(used in the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer) to rule out cancer outside of the prostate before any treatment is formulated?
Also you should have a Decipher test....you can be Gleason 7 3+4 favorable but a high decipher score would put you out of active surveillance......
This is absolutely another useful data point in many cases.
@@cancerbetteryes my RO used my .29 low risk decipher and told me I won’t need ADT!
My original pathology report was 4+3 Gleason 7 but MSK downgraded it to 3+4
Thank you, Doc I like your videos
@johnmchale8308 thanks for sharing your story
When will AI read these pathology reports so less reclassification occurs?
Excellent data Doc thank you very much for taking the time and explaining it so succinctly.
It’s great to have a resource such as this because you are correct some doctors out there just don’t give definitive enough information .
It can be tough to keep data from hundreds of studies in your head to recite during a visit. I sometimes even forget all the data points from my own publications and need to look up my own data. We need to be humble about our limitations and be willing to reference the data directly.
Dr, The video shows your passion caring for patients and furthure education. Patients that see you are very lucky. You go the extra mile producing these videos. You are doing a great service for all that view them. I’m sure
It’s a thankless job.
A
Sincere thank you for your hard work and service. Scott
Hey Doc, thanks for your videos pretty informative and yes it was a disservice not to talk about the suffering for metastasis…..the one thing about Gleason 7 favorable 3-4 is the amount of grade 4 in those cores….. I had two cores that were favorable 3+4 ….One of my cores has 20% grade 4 and the other core has 35% grade 4 that puts me out of active surveillance and I don’t want this thing to metastasize because being on hormone therapy is the worst…..ADT is brutal. I belong to at least prostate cancer groups and the amount of men suffering from metatstic disease is so sad...there quality of likfe.....yeah sure these drugs can extend life but at what cost......? I'm having MRI guided Radiation, 5 sessins SBRT.....I have a low decipher .29
I wish you well and a speedy recovery
I have both 3+4 and 4+3, Gleason 7. I believe the 4+3 puts me in grade group 3. There was little discussion, if any, of 4+3 Gleason 7. Would this put me, generally in the expectant outcomes of Gleason 8 patients? Thank you.
Nope this puts you in the higher risk group of the Gleason 7s. Historically 3+4 and 4+3 were treated as one disease.
I heard Dr. Carroll from UCSF presentation. One major takeaway, Metastasis-free survival - GG1: 100% free by 5 years and 98% free by 10 years. GG2: 99% free by 5 years and 95% by 10 years. I have favorable intermediate (simple cribriform) 3+4 =7 with less than 15%, low Decipher, negative for BRAC1/2. If things don’t progress, with 95% metastatic-free by 10 years, why treat? Another takeaway was Metastasis-free survival after delayed RP - At 5 years after RP - 97% remained recurrence-free; 95% free after no UG, 99% free after GG2, 96% free after GG3, 87% free after GG4. If you can kick the can down the road, per AS standards, I am putting treatment off as long as possible. I realize there are many ongoing factors I’ve not presented, but “Simple Cribiform is NOT the ones we will worry about. Yellow flag, not a red flag”, per the doctor. I guess I’ll see what the next biopsy recommends.
Is that presentation by Dr. Carroll available on the Internet? Thanks
@ AnCan Foundation had Dr. Klotz and Dr. Carroll present. Dr. Carroll is the second pres. Title: “Is Pre-treatment Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer Safe” on September. 16, 2024. ua-cam.com/video/wRn4bRnCXLo/v-deo.htmlsi=u0Gn2cl_z-72mPmM.
@ The presentation was with AnCan support group. Dr. Klotz and Dr. Carroll presented on September 16th, 2024. Title: Is Pre-treatment Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer Safe”. What I wrote, I hope, represents the correct information. Please let me know your thoughts. ua-cam.com/video/wRn4bRnCXLo/v-deo.htmlsi=5DWpQBr1KaH7_HcS
Dr Carroll is a great thought leader in our field. Love to hear you are getting good sources.
@ If you can get it from the source, all the better. But do I really understand what he is saying. That’s my question. Thank you.
No mention of HIFU?
I have a video out, talking about vocal therapy already and they’re actually is another one coming soon
Hi Doc. Thanks for the vids. I recently had some sort of viral infection with swollen gland in the neck area. I had a PSA test about a week later. It seemed to give a spiked reading. From 8 to 11. Should I have another test in a month or so to recheck. Cheers.
You would need to ask your doc. I'd imaging they wouldn't mind repeating a test if you requested.
Dr Scholz states that today with the many options and advances in the treatment of PC, there's virtually no need for surgery and removal.
I disagree strongly. The decisions are far more nuanced and an approach for encouraging radiation for all patients clearly is missing that there are pros and cons to each treatment option. I try to be as fair and balanced as possible in these videos to help people see the decisions are not black and white as he suggests.
I'm 63M. My PSA went from 4 to 7 in one year after I began TRT. My urologist recommended stopping TRT until he figures out what is going on, saying testosterone can cause some existing cancers to grow quickly. But I saw Abe Morgentaler's interview with Rena Malik 10 days ago in which he said the Traverse study showed no difference in growth of existing prostate cancer from TRT. So that's very confusing. I'm also confused as to whether to do a biopsy (which the urologist will recommend) since I have seen information indicating biopsy can lead to metastasis. What a mess.
Can you please share the information you have seen that biopsy reads to metastasis. I have not seen clinical evidence of this. I have seen rare care reports (and written one) of biopsy resulting in a deposit of cancer along the biopsy track but this is very rare.
@@cancerbetter Yes, this is exactly what I was referring to, namely biopsy resulting in a deposit of cancer along the biopsy track. If it is very rare, I guess I can put that worry to bed. What about the other issue I mentioned above, relating to the possible connection between TRT and having existing cancers grow? Thanks in advance!
@Nordic_Sky cancer will usually grow in the context of T, but most localized prostate cancers grow slowly so it might but be very noticeable unless watched over months to years. Eliminating testosterone will usually stop the cancers growth for several years and is a treatment used after local treatments fail
Can the Gleason score change over time?
Yes if you rebiopsy an untreated cancer overtime you can get evolution of the cancer
@ can it go lower after focal therapy and diet and lifestyle changes ?
To my knowledge, no. Lifestyle modification can be effective at reducing stress our risk of developing prostate cancer but once cancer has formed life style modifications cannot eliminate or downgrade cancer. Lifestyle modifications however CAN slow prostate cancer growth and the risk of death from the cancer.
@ thanks for all the information. We appreciate your videos
@sandraredmond4812 happy I can help
Also, how long does it take for a biopsy?
Biopsies usually take about 20 minutes in clinic.
Good job tks
Very welcome
Hi Dr. First of all thanks for that great video. I'm 52, and with with 2 tumor 4+3=7 and 1 3+4=7 gleason. I decided go for Radiacion Beam. Single treatment. How do thing? Please do you thing > need hormones therapy? Thanks in advance!
The decision about whether to do hormone suppressive therapy with your radiation therapy is one you should discuss with your radiation oncologist. For gleason 7 the data is controversial and people are generally moving towards reduced durations for ADT in these populations and rare no ADT at all.
Why isnt retzius more popular,currently in active surveilance at Johns Hopkins.If and when treatment is warranted will not go surgery route,couldnt deal with incontinence
I don’t think there is a retzius sparing provider at Hopkins. As a person who does retzius sparing and who teaches it I can tell you it’s not easy to learn or to teach. Most people have not had someone to mentor them through the learning process
@@cancerbetter Thank You
Excellent video.
Thank you very much!
Also he has had it for a year without treatment, because we didn't know he had it. He is 68 years old. When its already mastastesized and in the bones is it curable?
Cure once prostate cancer has spread is uncommon but is possible. Usually strategies for cure will involve treatment directed to isolated spots of cancer spread. In some situations this will cure it. In others situations it will greatly slow the cancer and buy time. Hormone suppression also stops cancer growth and and control cancer for often 5-8 years
@cancerbetter Thank you. Is it normal to be dizzy and have a constant headache?
@@cancerbetter Is it normal for him to be dizzy and have a constant headache?
No
@@cancerbetter What would cause this then?
how about another video on urine or blood tests for aggressive Prostate cancers. this ultimately will be the standard of care going forward.
That’s a great topic thank you
Is cancer in the lymph nodes curable even when it's in the prostate and possibly the back bone?
The greater the extent of the spread the lower the likelihood of being able to cure it. The optimal patient with metastatic disease to get a cure would be a person with only one spot of cancer who has a complete PSA response (i.e. PSA goes to undetectable) after radiation to that node.
Very helpful
. Tq
Welcome 😊
Hi , I have Gleason 9 , had radical pros 3 years ago and was 0.0 psa till my last test which I got last week was 0.02 . Doing next test in 3 months . Don’t know what to think .
So the key points to look at will be the total psa level and the rate of doubling. By contemporary standards typically radiation is suggested if psa rises above 0.1 and the psa doubling time is less than 18 months. PSA this low may stay this low or even become undetectable again so it’s wise to watch the psa over time as your doctor suggested
@ thanks for answering so quickly, I have had psa anxiety all weekend and have found your UA-cam channel and have watched about 6 episodes , I was actually just watching one when you responded. 👍
Just recently learned that not all Gleason 7 (3+4) is the same. If the 4 is cribriform, the only study I've seen shows the risk of both metastasis and death is much, much higher. Any thoughts on that?
Cribriform is an adverse feature and does mean the cancer is more dangerous. Surveillance with the presence of cribriform features is not recommended
@@cancerbetter pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25189638/ Small study, but scary as hell.
@@cancerbetterperhaps an unusual question; what is better to have (more favorable): cribriform shape in lower gleason score (7) or higher gleasonscore (for example 8) without cribriform shape?
@@cancerbetterI was told by me doctor that “simple cribriform” is not a back actor. “Simple Cribiform is NOT the ones we will worry about. Yellow flag, not a red flag”. But he did say, “What I don’t want is for you to come back in a year and we do see more advance Cribiform because then the risk of recurrence is greater”. It seems like with Favorable Intermediate I’m in the equivocal state. He also said that it will not become metastatic.
I was told small cribriforms are less aggressive than large ones?
Why is radiation treatment not being discussed here?
Do you mean why is radiation now being used to treat metastatic disease? It is actually but currently has been shown to be helpful only in people with 5 areas of metastatic disease or fewer
thx doctor!
I'm trying to carve out more time in my schedule for these to help.
Kindly clarify ED issue?
I hope someone talks more about gleason 10. Treatments? Hope? My husband's PSA is dropping steadily from 850 originally. But no one talks about 10. We could sure use a ray of hope. Thanks.
Treatments are the same for Gleason 8-10 generally. Medical research has made good advances and the standard starting place is usually testosterone lowering medications.
@cancerbetter thank you
High..very high
I had a successful prostatectomy in 2015.The last part of August my PSA was 0.270. Fast forward in one year it is 0.520.Took a PSMA scan which showed no cancer but my urologist and radioligist still believe it is cancer unseen and want me to take lupron and radiation.I feel it is better to take another PSMA to see if and when it shows.I was a gleason 7 before surgery.Your opinion on this would be appreciated for this 74 year old confused man.
As a rule I try not to give medical advice on this channel as each person’s case is unique and I would need to review a persons full history and see them to give well informed advice. What I can do is tell you there is strong data showing that if a persons PSA doubling time is on pace to double in less than 9 months delaying treatment has substantially worse outcomes in the case of biochemical recurrence.
@@cancerbetter Thank you so much for your Professional opinion.
Get the Genomics Oncotype Dx Prostate tests is my path I followed. My Oncotypedx test said the cancer was very slow growing and I would die of old age first that was seven years ago. My PSA is 14 and I just had a PSMA scan it is clean other than the prostate. I have had a Gleason score of 6 in 2017. I am following Dr. Thomas Seyfried from Boston College go Keto, go water fast. Cancer can't survive in a Ketone environment is his explanation. Go watch Dr. Thomas Seyfried's video explanations. Just saying a friend of mine did the standard of care for his prostate and was dead within a year. We are 54 in the world for health care for good health care. So look to other countries, or doctors that are succeeding forget the USA MD's AMA they are always like a hundred years behind the finding of what is working. They poo pooed the discovery of the Polio vaccine for years, gave the doctor that said wash your hands all kinds of grief. The poor guy died like penniless and homeless. Gave the guy no credit for hundred of years that discovered Vitamin c stops rickets. Gave the doctor that invented the partial mastectomy a terrible time. So read up, your as smart as any doctor maybe more if your just have a little common sense to look for what is working and not a failing AMA standard of care nonsense.
DR. I have had an MRI and my PSA level is up. The MRI showed a lesion about 11 mm/1/3 lnch. I went to a urologist about 16 months ago because of an elevated PSA and he said, biopsy, I consented until I heard a fellow having a biopsy screaming bloody murder, so I have consented again. Here's my beef. I am 71 yrs. old and have a high morbidity rate. I have had two heart attacks, 1st one they said was a widow maker and needed major by-pass, the 2nd was from them screwing up the surgery. I am obese 100lbs. over weight with osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia very hard for me to move any more, I can't sleep., I need abdominal and esophagi surgery, gall bladder surgery I am wiped out. would it really do me any good at this point to go through the torture of the prostate problem when I really don't have but a short time left? Thank you.
You bring up a lot of very valid points. We generally say that is someone has under a 10 year life expectancy then prostate cancer screening is not worth it because the 10 year risk of prostate cancer causing death is generally low for a person with a PSA
@@cancerbetter DR. I neglected , I am also diabetic, have hypertension and too many red blood cells. (Thick blood) I don't (can't)sleep. Don't even drive my car anymore because my wife say's I am going to kill someone. So at 71.5 yrs. do you think I will make it another 10 yrs.? I hope not there is no quality of life left. To be honest with you I really don't want people sticking me with needles for biopsies, I hate needles unless I'm asleep.
Try putting your information into a life expectancy calculator. You can google many. Just find one that includes your health conditions
My prostate cancer story 1st I peed blood then got biopsy within 2 weeks cancer was in all 16 biopsy PSA 4.0 (Gleason score 3÷4=7) and MRI then removed prostate. PSA was still at 4.0 did PSMA which I ask for 3 times before prostate removal Dr. said no need it . didn't show in your Lymph nodes and would of shown on the MRI. Well it metastasized to T10 vertebrae and lesions both sides of the pelvic bones 25.77 left 21.22 on right in 3 months... did chemotherapy 6 months and cancer lession only went down 25.11 left and 21.00 on right.. ADT for the rest of my life it takes all of being a man away from you its what trans take to change their sex, so you said not to worry about 3+4=7 not true in my case 🤔 and yes MRI misses cancer so get a PSMA scan it's just for prostate cancer.... Thank you for your video and the depth of it great job I do have a question in my case the Dr. Didn't do a PSMA before he took out the prostate by doing the surgery could it have spread to my bones in the 3 months waiting time for the PSA to level off? Like I mentioned he said it didn't show in the MRI before surgery but in my post op appointment he told me that it was coming out of the prostate and I said hope you got it all and that's why I ask for the PSMA scan before surgery 3 months late in stage 4 . But I know now that he's changed protocol in doing PSMA before removal I really hope you will reply back about this. Thank you
Sorry to hear it spread. It sounds like it spread before your surgery. It’s uncommon for this kind of aggressiveness of GG 2 prostate cancer and perhaps the biopsy understated the cancer. I would check your prospective pathology report.
Please talk to your doctor about potential radiation therapy to the bone Mets. If there are fewer than 5 locations radiating those locations can help
I was thinking that you would differentiate between Gleason 7(3+4) and 7(4+3).
The proportion of gleason 3 vs 4 disease. 3+4 is predominately gleason 3. 4+3 is predominantly gleason 4, so this is worse cancer.
Appreciate enunciating the point , but it's obvious that Gleason 6 , 7 , and 9 are going to have vastly different outcomes
Yes completely accurate statement
You are recommend repeated biopsy, have you ever had a prostate biopsy?
I haven't and I admit it doesn't seem fun but its currently the best option available to get certainty that a person's cancer has not chnaged into something more dangerous.
@@cancerbetter Thank you for the reply. You are absolutely right, it was not fun when I had it 10 years ago. Now I refuse to do it again.
@@arnoldbustos3890 I had one a couple months ago. Was pretty sore after but recovery is quick. Not crazy high on the pain scale. I think there is a lot of mental apprehension and stress. It's just weird! Definitely would not want to be a frequent flier.
I had a trans perineal biopsy 3 years ago. It was painless and I had no post operative pain or discomfort. The only thing that made me flinch was an unexpected blast of freezing spray prior to the local anaesthetic injection. Obviously other people have had different experiences but perhaps worth flagging up that it needn't be unpleasant.
I've had two in office biopsy procedures in recent years. It's a pretty quick procedure once insertion is made. The most painful part is the actual insertion. The local anesthetic helps. For me, recovery was quick with no complications. The reward is worth the risk of temporary discomfort. I'd rather know than not know where my cancer stands.
Hi Doc, Im a gleason 6 and my psa was at 7.3, in Dec 2023,, Now in Nov 2024 just took a psa exam and now its 11.3 ,, Should i take out or keep waiting?
I don’t recommend any treatments based on PSA alone as it can fluctuate due to non cancer causes. I would speak with your doctor
Consider ExoDX or Episwitch PSE and MRI focused fusion Transperineal biopsy.
Brio Medical. Fenbendazole, Ivermectin, Glutamine blockers, Liposomal Curcumin, Artemisinin, IV C there's a lot of options you will never be given.
Can you offer any clinical trials showing benefit? Most simply look at a single clone of cells in a lab not clinical trials.
@mperloe I'm sure if I try to point you to where the evidence is I will be silenced by the UA-cam censor drones. Let's see if this simple response gets evaporated.
@mperloe YT playing games again. They are insufferable.
@@mperloe EEEEEEE M a i ell me
@mperloe Your inbox.
Thanks important to know this
Very welcome
I can tell you the biopsies aren't that accurate. I was told I had Gleason 8 and was high risk. After prostatectomy, my actual results were Gleason 7 (4+3). While it probably wouldn't have changed my decision, it certainly would have changed the urgency and fear.
I have a whole video on why prostate biopsies can be inaccurate. I think you’ll appreciate it
Good video easy too understand, but what about small percentage of Men with PSA not elevated, I don’t think it’s just small cell cancer that PSA not elevated.
That is a completely different situation. When I talk about prostate cancer in this video I am talking about the most common form of prostate cancer called adenocarcinoma. Small cell cancer thens to be more aggressive and respond differently to treatment. While surgery and radiation are still used for small cell the success rates are different and in some situations chemotherapy may be used. I would strongly recommend going to an academic center for small cell as its less common and people at academic centers will likely have more experience with it.
It's so disheartening that you guys want those of us with Gleason 3+4 to get treatment when the side effects of treatment are so devastating. Treatments has not gotten better.
This is why I share the data. Some people think the trade off is worth it and others don’t. It’s by sharing the information that we help people get the treatment they want
He has a biopsy tomorrow,
Where are you located Doc ?
I currently am a member of the academic urology group at Cedars Sinai, Los Angeles
I don’t know you tell me
First cannabis oil.
that might help with your worries but cancer will still be there.
On purpose!
Thanks for your information
Hi Doc, Im a gleason 6 and my psa was at 7.3, in Dec 2023,, Now in Nov 2024 just took a psa exam and now its 11.3 ,, Should i take out or keep waiting?Im 55 this month
Definitely speak with your doctor. I generally do not recommend any treatment decisions on PSA alone as PSA can vary based on several factors beyond only prostate cancer