The oncologist and the urolgist seem to be talking about two diffferent things-
did the urologist say anything about the lymph node?  The margins, capsule, and
lymph node are NOT the same thing.  You usually can't tell much about that
stuff with an MRI- you have to have done the surgery to get that info.  The
injection under the skin is NOT the same as an orchiectomy- the latter is
irreversable.  The oncologist seems to have bypassed surgery and salvage
radiation on the idea that the prostate cancer has already spread.  You do need
to have a third party read the scan, at least.

Wow,  Roll the dice...
I had similiar diagnosis, and similiar treatments given.  One was
orchimeany....Cant spell, They cut off your balls. (stop testosterone) Wow.
I said Thank you Dr. but is there another way?
Yes, go to see the Oncologist, and get a lupron depot.  It castrates you
without ball removal.  I did that.  Got a 3 month horse shot in the butt.
Turned me on and then flat off.
I was having hot flashes, aches and pains in joints, no erectile nothing
nada.....Oncologist looked at me and said we can give external beam
radiation.  I said was this like conformal radiation.
He said it was like that.  I understood conformal radiation was much better
than extb.....Any, I got cold balls and feet, and went off to see 2 other
Dr.s  )surgeons, and both agreed that Rp was better for me.
What a twist of fait....Here I have 32 if not 40 radiation scans coming, and
Lupron making me old and tired.  I still have my balls.
I chose RP.  that was in 1999 Nov. 17th.
It is now 2004 Sept 18th.............
I am here and hoping you can get another opinion, to see what may work for
you.
I never did see your age.  That plays a part
Good wishes and do take your Lab work with you and get another opinion or so
from a Dr. that deals with (prostate cancer specifically)
I cannot guaranttee any treatment.
Just hope you find one that fits you, and your life style.
John Loomis,  still a survivor.

...

Is it possible to get the urologist to call the oncologist and
have both of them look at the same MRI during the call?
Maybe after they talk to each other they'll agree that one
was right and one was wrong.

Hopefully, having the hormone therapy now at least
means that the cancer will be put on hold while all
the consultations go on.

You didn't say whether the "oncologist" was a radiation
oncologist or a medical oncologist.  If the latter, then
maybe a radiation oncologist would be a good bet for
a third opinion.  Maybe if the cancer is outside the prostate
it is still near enough for radiation - though I suspect
that the first oncologist was trying to tell you it was not.

Finally, if, after all that, the final conclusion is that direct
treatment with radiation or surgery won't help you, then
don't give up yet.  There are different strategies for hormone
therapy - some of which may give you more years than
others.  Educate yourself about it.  If you can find a
medical oncologist specializing in PCa, you may be
able to get more from hormone and/or chemotherapy
than just the standard - shoot em up with Lupron and pray.

There's also clinical trials to consider - a pet subject
of mine.

Best of luck.

   Alan

I see by your ISP that you are in the UK. Link:
-----------------------
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/en.asp?TopicID=98
NHS Direct Online Health Encyclopaedia
Cancer of the prostate
----------------
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/enip.asp?TopicID=98&AreaID=3895&LinkID=2970
Info Partners
 The Prostate Cancer Charity (Associate Partner)
"The Prostate Cancer Charity is the largest and most comprehensive
of the charities working specifically in the field of prostate
health. We provide support and information to anyone concerned
about prostate cancer via printed leaflets, our website, our
nurse-led Helpline, and our Specialist Nurses. We also fund
research into the causes of, and treatments for, prostate
cancer. Alongside this, we work actively to achieve
improvements in services and public awareness. "
 
3 Angel Walk
Hammersmith
London
 
Tel: 020 8222 7622 and Helpline: 0845 300 8383
Fax: 020 8222 7639
 
Web: www.prostate-cancer.org.uk 
----------------------------
Try contacting the above help line for info on getting
a 2nd opinion on your diagnosis.
------------------

WOW - you REALLY need to get another opinion on the MRIs!!
You should go to wherever you had the MRI done and get a copy of the
images in your hand and find yourself another pathologist and/or
oncologist to read them. Not knowing where you live I could not say
where that might be, but I would recommend one of the major PC
treatment centers if you could do that. At any rate, have SOMEONE ELSE
read the slides!