The following reference information was compiled in an effort to aid new Subscribers to the Prostate Problems Mailing List (PPML) in the organization and presentation of their Prostate Cancer History, or PC Digest (PCD).

The PC Digest is a summary of a patient's clinical information that focuses on those medical issues that are important to evaluation and treatment decisions; often placed on messages after the signature line to remind the reader.

A well organized and complete PC Digest is very helpful if the new subscriber is requesting comments and/or recommendations from the Physicians and Lay-Experts on the List. The Physicians and Lay-Experts will "build upon" the PCD information presented by the new subscriber.

The following URL addresses may also be useful to new Subscribers:

PCD Abbreviations: http://www.prostatepointers.org/rtrax/pcdabbr.html

Acronyms Used on the PPML: http://www.prostatepointers.org/prostate/ed-pip/acronyms.html

Glossary of Terms Used on the PPML: http://www.prostatepointers.org/prostate/ed-pip/glossary.html

Recommended Reading for the Newly Diagnosed:
Staging
Neoadjuvant 2
Earlypc1
Earlypc2

I. A new subscriber to the PPML, diagnosed with PCa, and not yet treated:

• Level 1 - PCD:
  John Smith, DxPC age 56, 9/96: bPSA 4.2; GS 4+4
• Level 2 - PCD:
  John Smith, DxPC age 56, 9/96: bPSA 4.2; GS 4+4; CS T2a; PP 39,59,22,15; PV 20cc; Biop B1; NP 69,71,53,40;
  BP N.
• Level 3 - PCD:
  John Smith, DxPC age 56, 9/96: bPSA 4.2; GS 4+4; CS T2a; PP 39,59,22,15; PV 20cc; Biop B1; NP 69,71,53,40;
  BP N; PAP ___; PSA II ____; MRI ___; Prostascint ___; etc;
  

II. A new subscriber to the PPML, previously diagnosed and treated for PCa, which has now recurred.

• Level 1 - PCD:
  Sam Jones, DxPC age 62, 2/96: bPSA 8.1; GS 2+3; CS T2a; Bone Scan Clear; CAT Scan Clear; PAP 1.3;
  PP 73,28,3,2
  Tx(1) RRP 3/96: GS 3+3; 1SV; Nodes Clear; Margins Clear;
  PSA 4/10/96 (<0.1); PSA 7/10/96 (0.1); PSA 10/10/96 (0.2); PSA 12/10/96 (0.5)
• Level 2 - PCD:
  Sam Jones, DxPC age 62, 2/96: bPSA 8.1; GS 2+3; CS T2a; Bone Scan Clear; CAT Scan Clear; PAP 1.3;
  PP 73,28,3,2;
  Tx(1) RRP 3/96: GS 3+3; 1SV; Nodes Clear; Positive Margins ;
  PSA 6/96 (<0.1); PSA 9/96 (0.1); PSA 11/96 (0.2); PSA 12/96 (0.5);
  PSADT 1.5mo; PSAV 0.40; 61% probability of local recurrence; etc;
  

New subscribers should not be concerned if they do not have enough information to complete *all* of the categories in the proposed PC Digest. But, you are encouraged to complete as much as you can.

Note: The detailed PC Digest is recommended to be included on all messages to the PPML where the New Subscriber is requesting assistance, and those messages related to PC other than social or philosophical issues (even then it is elective).

I. Diagnosis:

• Date of Dx (biopsy): Mo___, Yr___ and Age of patient at Dx: ____.

• PSA at time of Dx: ___.
  PAP?: ___.
  Other diagnostic tests?: (PSA II, MRI, etc.)
  Ref: http://www.comed.com/Prostate/PSA.html

• Gleason's score: ___+___=____.
  Ref: http://www.comed.com/Prostate/GleasonGrading.html

• Clinical stage based on DRE: ____.
  Ref: http://www.comed.com/Prostate/ClinicalStaging.html

• Pathological Stage based on Biopsy (B1 or B2):
  Ref:http://www.prostatepointers.org:80/prostate/strum/staging.html

• Prostate volume (from TRUS): _____ cu. cm.

• Estimation of crude tumor volume (Fred Lee formulas): _____ cu. cm.:
  Ref: http://www.prostatepointers.org/prostate/lee/small/lee1.html

• Partin Predictions: (PP__,__,__,__) Ref:http://www.comed.com/Prostate/partin/introduction.html
  Ref: http://www.prostatepointers.org:80/prostate/partin1form.html
  Organ-Confined ____%.
  Capsular Penetration ____%.
  Lymph Node Involvement: ____%.
  Seminal Vesicle Involvement: ____%.

• Narayan Predictions: (NP __,__,__,__)
  Ref: http://www.prostatepointers.org:80/prostate/strum/narayan.html
  Organ-Confined ____%.
  Extra-Capsular Extension ____%.
  Lymph Node Involvement: ____%.
  Seminal Vesicle Involvement: ____%.

• Bluestein Predictions (lymph node involvement):
  N (Negligible) or NN (Not Negligible)
  Ref:http://www.prostatepointers.org/strum/staging.html

II. Treatment(s) (with particulars, including dates and latest PSA values):

• Watchful Waiting (No active treatment):
• Dietary Change (please indicate change):
• Radical Prostatectomy Surgery:
  • If RP, Pathological findings re: gland involvement, Capsular penetration, Gleason's Score __+__=___, seminal vesicle involvement, nodal involvement, positive margins, etc. And, date of treatment.
  • Post RP data such as PSA velocity, PSA doubling time, risk for local vs. systemic recurrence.
    Ref: http://www.prostatepointers.org:80/strum/partmsg.html
• Cryosurgery (Freezing technique):
• Brachytherapy (Radioactive seed implantation):
• Radiation beam therapy:
• Hormone therapy (includes Lupron, Zoladex, Casodex, DES):
• Intermittent Hormone Therapy:
• Orchiectomy (Surgical removal of testicles):
• Chemotherapy:
• Other (or unconventional) treatment(s)?: