Prostate Cancer

[susan303]

Hello everyone,
I am new to your site and would like to ask a question.  My husband's grandfather has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.  He was dianosed Wednesday of this week.  He is 92 years old and his birthday is coming up on June 22.  The family is heart broken.  Due to his age the doctors are not going to do anything.  Can anyone tell us what we can expect and usually how long someone lives from this?  My heart goes out to each of you.  My God bless you and your families.     Susan.....

[Momto3]

Hi Susan,

Hormone treatment can be quite helpful at slowing down the progress.  I know someone who was diagnosed at 80 and died at 89 from heart disease.  Try not to worry; it sounds like his doctors are going to treat him with the best options given his age and situation.

Yes, his biopsy results should have a Gleason score.  If it is not on the report, have an authorized person check with the doctor.  A family member may want to accompany him to his next appointment.  The doctors are wonderful abous answering questions and offering helpful information.

Hope it's a fabulous birthday celebration!!  Let us know about the party and his progress....

Connie

[susan303]

Thank you guys so very much.  I don't think he really undersands what is going on with his health.  We are awaiting on more reports.  I don't think the doctor said anything about Gleason score.  Would that be on his biopsy report they did?  The doctor's did say they are going to start giving him hormon shots to slow it down.  This Saturday he will be celabrating  his 93rd birthday.  He is so happy.. All he wants is for his grandchild to go to church with him on Sunday and take their picture with him at church :)   We are going to make this birthday very happy for him.  God has been good to him... Thanks again...

[keyzersoce]

Doctors usually weigh the risk of the procedure versus the reward. In this case, I think they feel the risks of operating on a 92-year old man are too great considering that prostate cancer spreads so slowly, many men die of something else. As was posted earlier, learning his Gleason score, PSA numbers and the result of the biopsy should give you a better idea of where you're at.

Have they done any scans to see if it has spread outside the prostate?  As stated, if the cancer is confined to the prostate, it usually grows slowly and can be monitored.

Best wishes to you and your family.

[Momto3]

Hi Susan,

Prostrate cancer is usually pre-staged via a biopsy.  Your husband's grandfather should have a Gleason score, a score used to grade how far prostate tissue is from normal, healthy tissue.  After the biopsy, the doctor will send the samples to a pathology labe where the pathologist will grade the tissue on a scale of 1 to 5. The low number, 1, is for cells that look almost normal (very slow growing cancer). The high number, 5, is for cells that are least like normal prostate cells. Grades 2 to 4 fall in between. The pathologist identifies the two most prevalent grades and assigns them a number 1-5.  These are then added together to make the Gleason score (also called Gleason sum).  Gleason scores for prostrate cancer are 5-10, with 10 being the most aggressive.

The order of the numbers matters and can affect treatment outcomes.  The 1st number is the predominant grade and represents more than 51% of the sample. The second number is the sceondary grade and must make up more than 5% but less than 50% of the sample

Depending on your husband's grandfather's Gleason, PSA and overally health, the doctor will offer options for treatment, including "watch and wait."  Many patients are advised that "watch and wait" is the best therapy as PC is generally a slow growing cancer.  

Do you know if his PSA has been rising?  

Hope that helps a little
connie