I've been diagnosed with the low-risk prostate cancer described in this link: #1 Click HERE for details:
"Low-risk prostate cancer often grows very slowly, or doesn't grow at all. Because of this, a treatment approach known as "active surveillance" can be considered as an alternative to radiotherapy or surgery. In this approach, the tumor is monitored regularly and only treated with radiotherapy or surgery if it grows." This is the path I'll be considering.
Though, to be extra vigilant, Dr. Pasin (my excellent urologist) ordered my recent biopsy be sent to a DNA lab for further study to:
"...to determine if there is a genetic mutation that increases risk of the more aggressive form of prostate cancer or if my family is at risk."
But there's a delay, the lab is heavily backlogged:
I just talked to Paula, Dr. Pasin's office manager. She has traced the prostate biopsy DNA delay back to an outside lab that is seriously backlogged. At my request she will: A. ask Dr. Pasin to press Dr. Su (at the lab) to expedite. and B. She also agreed to get admin. names and phone numbers at Dr. Su's lab so that I can hound them. Next, I will research other labs (not backlogged) that will shorten the wait time. Take away: request a more immediate track if your condition will be exacerbated by too long a wait time.
#2 December 11, 2024 Here's what I've learned since that biopsy. The DNA lab came back with a finding of "high risk prostate cancer." We later learned that those aggressive cancer cells have "escaped" from the prostate gland into nearby tissue. Dr. Pasin referred me to a Dr. Paul Kim, a top tier Stanford grad, Yale Med school, radiation oncologist who is an exceptional teacher in his ability to tell us all the most important information in a direct and sensitive manner. For example: precision-targeted-low-dose radiation will take 6 weeks with that low dose treatment 5 days a week to minimize radiation side effects.
#3 The importance of a second opinion led Patricia (my wife) to online research where she found UCI Health, a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center.
#4 Click HERE for a decision aid for patients with prostate cancer.
#5 This link describes the genetics of prostate cancer that I've just begun to study since the DNA analysis may require family history information.
Click HERE for DNA test details:
While the prostate is part of male anatomy, females have homologous glands: Skene's glands which are a source of PSA, prostate-specific antigen in women.
Additional links:
1. From Saint John's Cancer Institute:
