Father with prostate cancer

[jh201]

Tonight my father called me to tell me that he had been biopsied for prostate cancer and that one of the samples showed cancerous cells.  He had 12 samples taken,  3% of one sample showed cancerous cells.  He slipped on some ice and hit his head, and had to go to the doctor, so they decided to check his PSA about a month ago.  it was 4.8.  Doctors right now are saying its curable.  My grandfather died from prostate cancer, so obviously my dad was at risk for it. i guess right now, is it curable?  I am 29 years old, what are my risks right now, and is there anything i can get checked out?  i live far away from my parents right now, and its bothering the hell out of me.  I am worried for my dad.  

[Ketan K Badani]

Prostate cancer is one of the most curable cancers in men if found early.  Your father's cancer seems to have been found early with a low PSA (4.8) and only one of twelve biopsies positive.  The Gleason score given in a biopsy report is a factor that determine the aggressiveness of the cancer.  Six is the least aggressive cancer, seven is intermediate usually, and 8 to 10 are the more aggressive types.  All can be cured if found early.  I would suggest your father see an experienced urologist who specializes in prostate cancer and discuss his best options for cure.

As far as your risks, some prostate cancer is genetic and it is recommended that you get a PSA and digital rectal exam performed starting at age 40.  The general population usually starts getting PSA at age 50, although this is being perfomed more commonly in younger men these days.

[jh201]

He is age 59.  he recently had a cat scan, we will be finding out the results next week.   I think he is leaning towards surgery right now, and i am concerned for him, for his recovery.  I am assuming laparoscopic or robotic surgery would be less invasive, the regular surgery looks pretty rough.  but a succesful surgery mean he is around for another ten years, then we can deal with that.  I dont know what his gleason score was. Thank you for the information

[Ash Tewari, MD, M.Ch.]

Dear jh201.

You have not mentioned your father's age. Going by the information I have, ( PSA 4.8, Gleason 6 with 1 core positive  95%) of him remaining disease free in 10 years. For such organ confined cancers , nerve sparing radical prostatectomy (open , laparoscopic or robotic) is the gold standard of treatment.

Though the exact cause of prostate cancer is not known some risk factors include  older age, race and family history. While most men can start annual PSA testing after age 50, you should start earlier in view of your  positive family history.

[jh201]

Thank you doctor, my father was telling me much of the same thing, but i was afraid he was padding the issue a little so i wouldnt be worried.  Thank you for the information, and thanks alot for being a part of medhelp.  I hope you and all the doctors on here realize what a difference they are making.