newly diagnosed

One second opinion we frequently recommend is a second read of your biopsy slides by a lab that specializes in prostate cancer. It will probably tell you the same thing but it will firm up the information. Epstein and Bostwick are names of labs that often come up.

I dunno about the Wilmington area but I see a couple of doctors in the Raleigh area who I think are pretty good. If you are looking for a second opinion with a wider perspective you might try a medical oncologist. I see Dr William Berry at the Cancer Centers of North Carolina in Raleigh. He is a prostate cancer survivor himself (he had surgery) and is both knowledgeable and sympathetic. If you want to talk to another Urologist, I also see Frank Tortora in Cary. He's a good guy and a hot shot surgeon. He tries hard to consider all the options but, as a surgeon, surgery always looms large in his considerations.

Welcome aboard Capper, I am also sorry you had to join our party.
All of us know what you feel like now, kind of numb, confused, anxiety, etc.

A lot of the guys send their slides to Epstein or Bostwick, I don't believe it is too expensive.
Bone scans are pretty routine, probably won't show anything but will establish a baseline for the future.

Good luck, we will help you get thru this.

Bill from Florida

Welcome capper. You found the right place. I'm not familiar with your part of the country, but read gedman's link to get started. You may want to talk to a radiation oncologist and a medical oncologist to get thier perspective along with your urologist. A second look at your slides is a good diea as well. Your doc should be able to help you with that. Keep in touch and let us know how you're doing. The intial diagnosis and coming up with a plan can be the hardest part of all on this journey.
Mike

By doctor I am going to assume , a local urologist and slides were read by a local pathologist in local hospital. Reading slides is an objective process, an art, more than a science, so the more experience the pathologist in reading PCA cancer cells the better. { note, types of cancer cells are identifiable and unique , one from the other}. My point being a local pathologist will not have the same experience level as the major institution. Yours gleason could be downgraded, remain the same, or be upgraded. I say all this to re-enforce the advice you have gotten for a reread. With a gleason 4+3, you definitely want to get it treated. This may seem obvious , but as you learn about this disease you will find it is not that clear cut, and by coming here, you do want to learn, but don't stop here, read books ,patrick walsh has a good one. Long term with advice gleaned here and elsewhere and a good medical you will get thru this and have fruitful life.