Hi COD (Cranky Old Dude),
Having been there and done that all you can do is wait for the biopsy results and even then your Uro may want you to repeat on a 6 month or yearly basis if you get a negative test. If you get a positive biopsy result (meaning cancer cells were detected) your doc will give you a Gleason number describing the progression of the disease. There are two number and they add into one for example you have a score of 7 (3+4) This is a much better then a score of 7 (5+2) The first number is the greatest number of cells deformed by cancer and the second is the next highest total as determined by a pathologist under a scope. The higher the number the worse the spread of the disease and the first number is the more important of the two. OK lets say that you have a Gleason of 7 or 8 meaning you have cancer. What is the next step? You get to decide on your choice of treatment. You will have about 6 to 8 weeks to firm it up because surgeons want to wait that long for the prostate to heal from the biopsy. The three main surgical methods to deal with this is Radical, Robotic and HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound). There are two types of radiation, seeds and ray. Each type caries its own risks and just because 85% of the population that has that treatment and reacts a certain way does not mean that you will. Here is a link to a website that is just for guys like us. If fact when you post they greet you and say that they are sorry you are here. I hope that this will help both you and your significant other learn about how your life may change with your prognosis. You are in charge of your treatment so make sure to ask your doctors lots of questions. FYI I had RP surgery November or 2009 and I am now a member of the zero club. Good Luck http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35
Darrell