HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/23/2018 4:41 AM (GMT -5)
Here is an interesting article on progression of Gleason 6 prostate cancer:

https://sperlingprostatecenter.com/gleason-6-prostate-cancer-progress/

The following paragraph from the article raises some interesting questions:

"Looking at the three diverse studies above, it becomes obvious that conclusive evidence as to whether Gleason 3+3 cancer behaves like cancer is not yet to be had. It is clear that a significant number of patients whose first biopsy is 3+3 go on to a higher grade of cancer. Is this due to inaccurate biopsy results the first time, or did the tumor actually mutate in a more aggressive direction? Since there’s no definitive answer, it seems that ongoing work such as the Arsov study is aimed at better identification of which patients can defer treatment because their tumor has favorable genetic markers."
Posted 7/23/2018 7:16 AM (GMT -5)
Brachy,

While it is an interesting article your assessment is correct. There is still no conclusive evidence as to whether G6 behaves like cancer. As one of the lucky ones on here with a very small amount of G6 I will continue the AS and hope for continued improvements in treatment options and SE's. I know that if I'm lucky I will never need treatment but having been diagnosed at 52 it is likely just a matter of time, though hopefully a long time.

Thanks for sharing,

Gemson
Posted 7/23/2018 7:38 AM (GMT -5)
Gemson,

I wish you good luck with your choice of AS. I am sure it would be a very long time before you have to change your treatment option. By that time, who knows, a perfect cure for prostate cancer would be found.

In my case, brachytherapy for my small G6 cancer failed after 5 years. Now, it appears that my secondary treatment of cyberknife for extra-capsular cancerous mass may also fail. Let us keep our fingers crossed.
Posted 7/23/2018 10:00 AM (GMT -5)
I'm 56 y/o and had my prostate removed. This is over 3 1/2 years !! I'm a Vet and was going to the VA for different exams as I hit 50, at almost 53 my PSA went from 2 to 5 then it went to 8, they did a biopsy came back neg and said I am clean there is no cancer as time went on the PSA test went up when it reached 12 they gave me meds it dropped to 10 then started going back up when it reach 14.7 I begged for another biopsy. The doctor said it's going to be the same as before but if you really want to we will, now mind you I have told him I have been dizzy, hot flashes, feeling sick, etc. the entire time so any way he did the biopsy and it came back neg again. well six more months has pasted and my primary doctor said it went up again almost 18 now, finally they sent me for the cancer MRI at the U of Miami and it showed I had three spots, the doc took the the biopsy. OH shoot it came back a G8. Now two months after surgery willy don't work at all but thats ok if now I'm clean of cancer, I'll find out more in the middle of Sept when I have a new PSA done. See when they did a biopsy after surgery it came back a G9, now they said it may have spread to my bladder ( GOD I PRAY NOT ) but we will see. HERE IS THE THING GUYS WHEN YOUR DOCTORS SAY IS NOTHING IT MIGHT BE
SOMETHING ! GET A SECOND OPINION IT COULD BE YOU LIFE !!! See it was cancer from the start but the Urology doctor just didn't do the right thing and testing. Thanks to primary I would have died in my early 60's. So keep a good out look and stay strong try not to let it get you down just keep moving forward.
Posted 7/23/2018 10:07 AM (GMT -5)
I actually wrote a blog examining the evidence (there is MUCH more evidence than is given in the article you cited).

/pcnrv.blogspot.com/2017/11/myth-gleason-6-never-progresses.html
Posted 7/23/2018 12:03 PM (GMT -5)
Tall Allen,

Thanks for the link
Posted 7/23/2018 12:15 PM (GMT -5)
Allen,

Thanks for the blog link. I read somewhere that G6 should not even be called cancer. Maybe the chance is small that it could progress, but the evidence stated in your blog is enough to keep the designation, I would think.

My G6 is small. The Polaris score from the first biopsy stated that it was more aggressive. So I know there is a better chance for mine to progress. Now, I am waiting on the results of my third biopsy. I see Patel next Wednesday to discuss.

Depov
Posted 7/23/2018 12:55 PM (GMT -5)
Prostate cancer tends to be multi-focal. When removed by surgery, cancerous prostate glands had an average of 7 distinct tumors.. These tumors can be of different Gleason grades. A biopsy seldom samples all possible tumors..Even when the biopsy report returns a G-6 finding, 35% of the time more aggressive tumors are not detected. So did a G-6 tumor progress or was there a tiny spot of higher grade tumor that finally becomes detectable? Impossible to say...
Posted 7/23/2018 1:15 PM (GMT -5)
Fairwind hits the nail on the head.
In addition, lurking in someone's prostate there could be a cell that is just one mutation away from turning into something aggressive. Could be now or never. No one can tell.
Posted 7/23/2018 1:46 PM (GMT -5)
3+3 prostate cells don’t “mutate.”

Tomorrow you may develop some new 3+4 cells, but that’s not “mutation.” This is, of course, one of the reasons for repeat, confirmatory biopsies for new AS patients within 12-18 months of initial diagnosis.
Posted 7/23/2018 7:45 PM (GMT -5)
Thank You kind sir, I hope all the best for you and your journey thru this, I guess if we are to have cancer this is the one to have right. I will post more when I get answers, now before surgery I had to use a injection and it's been 2 months and hope to try here soon again to see if the injections work if not I will have to wait a year and have the pump installed. removal of the prostate is a real pain in the AS*; lol.
Posted 7/23/2018 8:33 PM (GMT -5)
I think the doctor thought he was the best of the best and didn't want to send me for the test that was needed, He more or less even said so ! Anyway the Cancer was on the top side of the prostate and when he did his biopsy he used the punch and never hit the spots or the lab screwed up big time but it happened 2 times and now I'm dealing with it, but Life is what life is. Stay strong, stand tall, walk straight, Trust in God, that is all we can do :-}
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply