My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer today... what to expect?!


Question: My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer today... what to expect?
Hi everyone.

My dad, who just turned 49 this year, was diagnosed with prostate cancer (I'm not sure of his Gleason scores and whatnot. I'm only 19, so my mom has been the one to know all of this stuff). All's she told me that doctor rated it 6/10 in severity... which is somewhat vague, I know.

The doctor said that he doesn't feel it's necessary to do a bone screening, and that they will check if it has spread to the lymph nodes during his surgery which is scheduled in early June, then they will know how likely it has spread somewhere else.

A little background: My dad didn't experience any pains or symptoms. He went in to get his blood checked for diabetes (as his one cousin recently passed away from it, and his other one is extremely sick), and his doctor found his PSA levels to be elevated. This prompted him to do an exam, and then my dad had a biopsy. Now, my mom told me that all 5 of the biopsies had cancer, so I'm assuming that means that it's pretty much covered the entire prostate.

My dad's having his prostate removed using robotics, in conjuction with radiation treatment.

I'm really upset, but I keep telling myself that he'll most likely be okay in the end. Is this realistic? He's just so young, I don't understand...

If anyone could offer me some insight or similar experiences it'd be appreciated. Thanks.

Answers:

The fact your father is so young is makes it scary as when young people get an older person’s cancer it is usually not a good thing. However, it appears when your mother stated the “doctor rated it 6/10” she was giving the Gleason score and this is not at all vague and is a good score, which means it is not very aggressive.
A bone screening does not tell the doctor is the cancer is in the nodes or not it is a bone scan which determines if it has spread to the bones and there is no reason to think it has.
There are usually 6 cores removed on prostate biopsies and prostate cancer is nearly always diffuse.
Having surgery done robotically is the way to go and he will most likely do well and be just fine from the information we know.
If you have any brothers they should start prostate screening between 35-40 years old.

I am a cancer registrar.



It's never silly to think you are being anything but realistic. I believe your dad will be OK. Plus the fact he is young. What I don't understand is why they are waiting until June for surgery. When my father in law was diagnosed, he was in surgery that same week. Does you dad have an Oncologist or just a surgeon. If he was my husband, I would be getting another opinion and then ask that Dr. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU FOR?? Sorry, it's just me. I really pray your dad will be alright. God bless.




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