Hi,stage 2 can be successfully treated with various results.

I wouldn't be concerned  you have every chance of beating this demon and living a normal life.

Good luck.

I am Mike on Gleason 3+4 

                                        Stage 4

Thanks for the response Mike. I have been put on active observation for the time being. With a PSA test every 3 months for a year then every 6 months there after. 

Hi Finders, 

Like you, I have recently been put on active surveillance after a diagnosis of Gleason 3+3 (they didnt mention a stage to me). Trying to understand it all is proving quite difficult and anxiety forming, but I think it is the lowest level. I have been told to get a blood test in June, but that will be 6 months from my last one, so will be presenting it in May, and subject to any rise in my PSA level (currently 13.3) will probably seek a more active treatment. Struggling to understand why a passive approach is deemed effective! Hope you find the right approach to yours, and happy to talk about it.

Hi CG57, and welcome. as your Gleason 3+3 you will be T1 or T2, which means your cancer cells look similar to normal cells so will be very slow growing and have a very low risk spreading so regular blood tests, 6 monthly, will catch any possible change in your cancer long before it becomes a problem, and there is a fair chance it may never become a problem and you will never need treatment,

Eddie

The passive approach is to give us the most amount of life without affecting our bladder control and sex life. I was told that I may outlive any need to operate or have therapy. My next blood test is in May. Hopefully nothing has changed. I was also told I’d get another MRI scan within the next 12-18 months. I’m happy to stick with this approach if it means I avoid incontinence for as long as possible. I must admit though, it does feel like Damocles sword hanging over me and I’m getting more anxious the closer I get to the blood test date. My PSA was only 3.8 so I guess it’s pretty low. 

My Gleason was 4+3 and I had hormone therapy and radiotherapy. My PSA WAS 1.7. 2 years later I had a CT Scan not related and was informed that the cancer had.metastised to various parts. My PSA was monitored throughout the 2 years and never went above 1.8. I'm sure that many are aware of PSA readings as not being the be all and end all but it seems that the NHS just rely on them and they shouldn't. 

From some of the stories on here, it does seem to be a bit of a lottery. I hope they are managing your condition. I feel that rather than using PSA as the guide, once identified treatment monitoring should be by MRI as that can identify anomalies. Overbthe last 2byears my PSA levels have gone from 2.3 up consistently to 13.3 and it was the 2nd MRI that identified an issue. 

It does seem to be a choice thing. Some have opted for immediate radical prostatectomy, whilst others are happy to trust the PSA readings. Clearly a balance between the risk of side effects and getting rid of the damn thing!

Sword of Damocles is a perfect analogy.... it's always going to be there I suppose, just how you deal with it and more importantly, manage the psychological impact it can have. I have become much more twitchy about the whole thing now a definitive prognosis has been arrived at. My GP was happy that my level could go up to 30 before they were concerned!