AS or treat?

Hello everyone and thanks again for all the information. I have been diagnosed with Gleason score 6 Pca and a second opinion doctor said not to worry but wanted to see me again in January (a few months after visit) He talked about an MRI and sent me to see a oncologicial radiologist who said radiation is the best treatment for me when I decide I want treatment. This medical group (Columbia doctors of Columbia'presypeterian) do biopsy without sedation so I went back to my regular urologist who had suggested cryotherapy-now he tells me my prostate is too large at 75 grams he cuts off at 60 grams.
he said they do a good job of radiation up here at vassar (Poughkeepsie NY) a small town city and do a new thing where they insert something in the rectum to aid recovery.. I asked why can I not wait for the next biopsy and he said he does not think another biospy is warrented He went on to say he will do a genetic type test and get back to me in 3 weeks. This type test will show how aggressive my cancer is. (I told him my PSA was back to normal at 3.4 and he fluffed it off saying some people with very low PSA have Gleason score's of 8 okay I thought.
I said if I am a Gleason score 6 why rush to do radiation?
He said because of 12 probes in the biospy all six on one side had cancer-they ranged form a high of 30 to a low of 5 (% I think) So I thought why then only Gleason 6?
I have a couple of concerns-I think an MRI is important but and it is a big but. The last one I tried with 10mg of valium in me and I could not lie in that tube. I even had an attempt at an open MRI and they tried to put a device on my head and I freaked out. Bottom line, maybe with IV diazapam I could have an MRI but do they even do cons. Sedation for MRI?
What should I be asking the doctor in 3 weeks and does anyone know about a genetic test of survey type thing that shows how aggresive a cancer is and if they have such a thing, why they do not add this to the biopsy result?
I am scared again and have half a mind to just submit and have the radiation-but that brings up another fear, my claustrophpbia

oh one other minor thing-the doctor mentioned they use a gel now to protect the rectum while receiving radiation treatment. I looked it up it is called Spaceoar and looks like a good idea. I looked up the Genome test right here in the forum and now understand that a little bit. Sorry but he threw a lot of information at me.
Still at a Gleason 6 even with half the cores having a bit of cancer-30 the most 5% the least, not sure that means it will grow any bigger or leave the prostate without them knowing the aggressiveness of the cancer which I assumed they had an idea of when they looked at the samples-seems I'm missing something or is the genome test always done afterwards? I hear it is expensive which makes me wonder if my Medicare HMO will balk at paying.
Anyway, good PSA Testosterone very low at 56 and getting TRT at a clinic like place that specializes in hormones. They took blood and came back with a huge report of all manner of hormones including female such as estrogen. They seem to know what they are doing. For me, I just feel normal again. When off testosterone for 3 months I ended up screaming at my wife over a silly thing and felt like crap. Anxiety and irritability without my testosterone big time

Thanks nah not for me I am on replacement would defeat the purpose

Thank you.
It is so hard to decide. I will see what results come back from genomic study. I will find a MRI place with sedation and take it from there. I think we all struggle with wanting it all to be over and just go with treatment but I want to be as sure as possible I made the right choice.
Weird too that there are no symptoms to speak of. I go to the bathroom a lot but have that symptom 15 years. Big prostate.

Glen

I think the quantity of G6 puts you out of most AS programs, The MRI and fusion biopsy is a must to get more info. The genetic test is also great info. I went that route and then chose treatment,.

Don't even think of cryosurgery. Highest rate of impotence and incontinece than any treatment. If you are afraid of inclosed spaces then look at HDR or LDR brachytherapy.
Better yet delay all treatments by doing AS for as long as you can.

I was pretty pissed when my uro said I should have an mri and did not tell me the cost. My mind at that time was swimming, so be prepared for a bill. But, I'm gad I did. Hopefully one day mri's will be standard because they should be. They are pretty much invaluable if you ask me.
EBRT-This is not like an mri, open room.
Based on the size of your prostate, LDR brachy is out of the question, not sure about HDR.
You want to be on AS as long as possible, but make sure you have your ducks in a row before you make that decision.
Start changing your diet, who really knows if this helps in regards to the cancer, but no matter what it helps your body and mind. Same goes with exercise. If you are not all that healthy, best to start getting at it.
Symptoms- I had zero symptoms and was in complete denial until the mri results came in. But even then, you dont have a gleason score, just a percentage. Having zero symtoms is good, per se. What I mean is that if you go the route of radiation, etc..... , you will most likley have less problems with se's.
Good luck