If you had the choice of treatment, what did you choose and why please?

Hi Able

I don't remember your stats so difficult  to comment properly.

All I would say is that RT is possibly the easiest treatment option.

The latest RT doesn't really give u any lasting side effects and at least when it's finished then hopefully u can forget about the cancer .

Like yourself I was very anxious before starting my RT but looking back it was a bit of a doddle.

Any other questions please ask

All the best

Steve 

Hi Steve and thanks for the reply.

Here are my stats if it might help:

Oncology summary: GS 4+4, stage T2N0M0, cores 4/17 MCL, 11mm, volume of the gland 48cc, PSA 4.92 ( < April 2023)

RALP planning: Right side nerve spare, MUL 19mm, tiny median lobe, early T3a

Other imging summery: CT scan and bone scan no mets.

I agree that RT looks like it would be less intrusive and should better allow me to carry on caring for my wife (dementia).

Yes, I certainly agree with your last paragraph, I know the stress involved as I was a carer for my mother for many years.

So your stats look ok, similar to mine before I started treatment.

I would go for the RT Def, get it over and get rid of the cancer once and for all.

Once u start treatment the relief will probably set in.

Steve 

Grundo said:

I would go for the RT Def, get it over and get rid of the cancer once and for all.

I think it's this that had been holding me back Steve, the whole 'once and for all' thing?

eg. If I understand it correctly, with most of the treatments available, prostate / any cancer can return (metastasise), possibly for reasons still not fully known (and hence the trial I was on) and so if lifespan was the primary desire, wouldn't you do whatever might offer that the most predictably? (surgery  > RT etc).

I think the issue for me is all the 'unknowns' and so the near inability to accurately predict anything.

I spoiled my paper on the EU Ref because I knew I didn't know enough about it to make the best 'once in a lifetime' decision for 'most people' and spoiled my paper as the only way I had of demonstrating my support for democracy (not that I felt it was, all the lies and bs etc).

I'm going back to bed now and hope I learn it's all just a nightmare when I wake up ...

You can't account for everything.

Sometimes it's all a bit of a gamble but just go down the easiest route which by and large is RT, No surgery, no anaesthetic.

I think u should make a decision and just go for it, u won't regret it.

Good luck

Steve 

Grundo said:

I think u should make a decision and just go for it, u won't regret it.

I think the only recommendation any of the NHS staff have said is the only bad decision is not doing anything so you are right. I'm not sure I'll not regret the choice though, I can't 'forget' anything. At least I might live to regret it. ;-)

Ok, on the grounds I could have a heart attack or be hit by a bus next week, I'll start my HT today.

In case it impacts anything, my PSA from the blood test yesterday is 6.29 (4.92 in April).

The strange thing is that I'm not bothered about the aesthetic (had several pre cameras etc) or the actual surgery itself (once there and asleep etc), it's the thought of any pain / discomfort, the inconvenience of the recovery (re me being able to look after my wife) and the incontinence, even if only for a month (and ED etc).

Exactly Able

there's lots of extra bits and pieces with surgery, as I have said before RT simpler.

the other reason for u going for RT is that you are extra anxious (understandably)  so  a not too  complex treatment your best option

Looking at your stats although they look ok Gleeson 8 is obviously more aggressive than a 6/7  so the sooner u start the better  although HT will hold it back.

Please remember all this is my opinion . doesn't mean I'm necessarily  right

best wishes

Steve

Yeah, I'm not sure there really is much right or wrong with this stuff or we wouldn't be given the choices we sometimes are, given luck / genetics / the unknown could affect the outcome?

I there there is 'sensible' if you consider say surgery before RT for the 'second bite of the cherry' thing but that might only be relevant if you can go through the surgery in the first place!

I've not actually taken my first HT tablet yet as I'm sort of waiting for a reply from the CNS re the idea of getting on the PACE treatment (possibly no longer a trial) but that might require taking the HT in any case?

Hi Able I went for the surgery I was 4+3. My reason being that tumour gone and out of hospital in a day. Also my concern with RT route is bowel problems afterwards. I know a couple of guys that went the RT way and they are having bowel problems. I have urinary problems but can live with that. RT for me would have meant travelling to the hospital 5days a week. The hospital is 40 miles away so it would not have been easy for me.

The other thing was the surgeon advised me if I had RT then I could not get surgery after. Difficult decision. 

Raaid said:

The other thing was the surgeon advised me if I had RT then I could not get surgery after. Difficult decision. 

I think this was what led me towards surgery in the first place.

The problem is there will be many people out there who have had surgery and their friends are having problems with RT and visa versa.

May I ask how long ago you had your surgery and just what 'urinary problems' you live with (you can PM me if you prefer).

The thing is, I have been given so much information that doesn't seem completely consistent or complete (by the NHS) I don't know what to believe. Like surgery interfering with your water flow control muscles (and hence the need for the PF exercises) and someone else saying they remove one muscle completely (and so why you need to use the PF muscles)?