Joining the club

Well here's my story. Will be 64 next month in good health PSA has been going up for years last reading in April was 8.9 local URO suggested biopsy in 2013 at that time PSA was in the 6. range 12 cores all neg DRE has always been normal having PSA checked every 6 mo. Have a DR. friend who is going thru AS and he gave me a book Invasion of the Prostate snatchers by Ralph H. Blum and Mark Scholz,MD. After reading it it became obvious to me I needed to start educating myself on PCa. Fast forward to April 2016 local URO again suggested biopsy I opted for what I think is the best technology and told him I wanted a MRI guided biopsy (which they don't do here in my area) So an appointment was set up with Dr. Rais-Bahrami, Soroush MD at the urology dept. at UAB in Birmingham Al. Went for consult MRI was scheduled and results showed 2 areas of possible concern biopsy was done on July 26th. Before the biopsy while I was laying on the table he asked me how many cores I wanted him to take. So my thinking was since I had had a 12 core already all neg. and the MRI showed only 2 areas of concern that should be the only areas stuck. I asked how many he suggested and he said the text book says 2 cores per area. so we did 4 My call. 2 weeks later met for results and this is what they are.
A: Prostate, left mid anterior lateral CG biopsy:
Prostatic adenocarcinoma, Gleason score 4+3=7 (grade group 3), discontinuously involving 80% of 1 core

B: Prostate, left mid posterior PZ biopsy -Benign prostatic tissue

At that time he told me that I could not do nothing about this that because of the grade group it needed treatment. I was given 2 options removal or radiation and he said both were equally as effective. He explained that he was a surgeon but if I wanted to talk to a RO he would make the call which I did and he did. Talked to the RO and he said SBRT with HT for 4 months would be in his opinion the best. He also said that some went without HT but later had do start. I really liked both of these guys but removal is my last option. I hope this don't get me in trouble but the RO also mentioned a Clinical trial RAD 1203 SBRT with Intergrated Boost that I would be a good candidate for. I'm sorry if I shouldn't have mentioned that but I will take my lashes if necessary. I am thinking SBRT is for me.
All comments and opinions will be appreciated.
Thanks
Perry

Yes, you need intervention. And then there's the huge dilemma most of us face in your position - surgery or radiation?

Chipmaker,

Dr. Rais-Bahrami did my husband's surgery. We really liked him. He did not try to push surgery and suggested we meet the a RO before making a decision.

Donna

Chip
Your call but I agree that RT is the way to go. Good luck!
Bob

Thanks all for the welcome and input.
Fairwind I understand we have to filter through good and bad in everything we read but that book just
made me realize that I needed more education on this stuff also I am looking into my insurance now. Thx
Donna I am glad to hear from someone else that has had dealings with UAB and DR. Rais-Bahrami.
TA I thought it strange also that he asked me that question. I asked about the seed implants and either
the URO or RO said that it wasn't for me I don't remember why I was a little distracted at that moment.I think it was something to do with the size of my prostate at 52cc but I am not sure. I am waiting on a call for more consultation with the RO and I will get more details before I sign on the dotted line.
The reason I was concerned about mentioning the Trials is because I read that they should not be discussed
without approval of the moderator but maybe I misunderstood.
I found this site 3 days after my DX and it has really helped with the anxiety associated with all of this.
Thanks to all.
Perry