Question about reading biopsy report

2confused · New User Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 7

The doctor is out of town for two weeks and my wife and I got the news on Friday evening over the phone. At this point we have little else other than the biopsy report and appointments with other doctors for second opinions and discussion of other options besides surgery. Can someone help with reading the biopsy report?

There were 12 samples taken in the biopsy (left x6; right x6). All was benign tissue on the left. On the right it states: Adenocarcinoma, Gleason grade 6 (3+3), involving 3 of 7 cores (95%, 90%, 30%, discontinuously).

I'm not following how 6 samples were taking on the right, yet 3 of 7 cores were Gleason 6 (i.e., shouldn't it read 3 of 6?). Also, what do the percentages mean? (that those percentages of the tissue were cancerous?).

One more general question: My only symptom all along has been pain in the groin area. Shouldn't other tests be confirming the cancer is confined to the prostate? I will ask the doctors all of these questions (and more) but am just trying to get some answers in the meantime.

Thanks for any help.

Alexa · New User Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

Hi 2Confused,

I'm sorry about your diagnosis. I'm not sure about what 3 of 7 cores means but the great news is that your gleason in 6 and only the right side was positive. That would suggest that it's probably an early stage cancer which has a very high cure rate.

My suggestion is that you find the best possible urologist to discuss your treatment options. Early stage cancer is treated very well with surgery.

Also, I don't think the pain in the groin area is related to the PCa. I'm not a doctor but never read about any relations.

Best of luck to you.

A.

2confused · New User Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 7

I was told about 2 years ago that there was some calcification of the vas deferens, so perhaps that is the source of the pain - but it does make me wonder.

Thanks very much for your feedback and for the link you provided.

philip · Regular Joined: 27 Dec 2006 Posts: 11

Sometimes the biopsy will give a size to the cancerous tissue. ie: 4mm

The biopsy sample may be given ie: 20mm They may have given the size of the cancerous tissue as a percentage of the entire sample, rather than as a size. Using the numbers above the sample would be 20% cancerous.

Your Gleeson score of 6 is good, plus as the other member stated only in one location in the prostate. The advantage here is that if you elect to have surgery the nerves on one side will not need to be touched and should be preserved after surgery.

Your decision on the type of treatment will depend on your age. If you are 85 you may decide to do nothing. If you are 55 surgery may be your best option.

Hang in there, your seeing a doctor and have identified the problem, you are miles ahead of many men. Be thankful you have this and not something much worse, the glass is half full.

2confused · New User Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 7

Thanks very much for the explanation. And yes, I'm trying to view the glass half full. Too bad it had to happen at all, but if it did, this is the best of the worst.

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