Prostrate Cancer - Gleason 6

Hi Tench and welcome 

Yes monitoring is another option but depends on your stats although Gleeson 6 is ok.

Do u have a few PSA readings and what does the MRI scan show in terms of tumor size and location 

Steve 

Hello Tench 

A warm welcome to the Macmillan online Prostate Cancer forum I am sorry to find you here.

Your question - Surgery or Radiotherapy has been asked many times and my answer is always the same.

It's a very personal choice. Grab a pen and paper (or you I-pad!) and make a list of the pros and cons of each treatment as to how they would affect you. Use trusted sources for your research, Macmillan, Prostate Cancer UK but not Dr Google. I will set you off with two links to our information-

Surgery - https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/prostatectomy-for-prostate-cancer

Radiotherapy - https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/radiotherapy-for-prostate-cancer

Once you have had a good read and started your list, please come back to us with any specific questions. We are all more than happy to help.

My personal view is monitoring is possible on a Gleason 6, but it's not going to get any better and at some point it's going to need treating so the earlier the better.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Steve

Thanks for response.

My PSA reading was 4.9 and MRI scan score 4 .I have no symptoms.

P

Ok so stats quite low, good contender for active surveillance.

But they are saying action is required, I wonder why based on those stats, u probably need to ask them and also to clarify tumour size in mm and if near the capsule edge.

Looking ahead to future treatment though I had Radiotherapy and it is possibly the easiest option.

No long lasting side effects.

Surgery can give ED and urinary issues although not everyone has problems.

See what others say

Best wishes 

Steve 

Hi Tench , sorry you have joined our club, but welcome.  I didn’t have the option as my PCa was too advanced and in some ways I was relieved that I didn’t have to make that choice.  Brian has suggested you write the pros and cons to help you decide, which is a very good idea.  My advice would also be not to use Dr Google but only trusted sources (this forum being way the best).  Please come back with any questions and let us know which way you choose.  Best wishes, David

Hi Tench.

Good morning and a warm welcome sorry to meet you under these circumstances though.

Yes from personal experiences here's my story:

I was diagnosed (PC) June 2023 (Terminal)

My brother was diagnosed (PC) 5yrs previous (Curable)

My uncle was diagnosed (PC) a number of years previously (Cured)

Both my brother and uncle had there prostate removed (Cured)

Unfortunately my cancer had broken through my prostate and into my bones. I am now on a "Treatable not Curable Pathway"

I do hope that this helps with things as I know if I had my time back I would have gone for the (Removal of my Prostate)

"Personal Choice"

Prostate Worrier.

Hi Tench. I had a surgery 6 weeks ago. I will be 65 tomorrow and so we are similar ages. I have not had the biopsy results of the op yet , but I'm very optimistic. I was 3 + 4 (7) Gleason scale. I had 2 tumours,  1 either side & it was in the outer layer, but hopefully contained. Like many men , I had no symptoms. My brother had radiotherapy around 18 months ago and is struggling with the side effects. He is 3 years older than myself and wasn't as active/ fit as myself. He was also a smoker. He now needs another op to open up his urethra as it constricted due to the radiotherapy. He chose radiotherapy as he thought there was less chance of being incontinent. I started the pelvic floor exercises well before surgery and I've carried on with them,  after my catheter was removed. I'm recovering really well and exercising through walking. I'm wearing pads & I get a few dribbles , especially if I cough. I'm hoping as time goes by that I can get back to something like normal. As regards ED , which was the least concern for me,  then it's not as bad as I expected. These things all take time, from what I can gather. Like lot's of men , the difficult part was deciding what treatment to have. I think I made the right decision. Good luck with your journey. 

Morning David2017

Thankyou for your response. My concern with the surgery are the post side effects and how they impact your life , however I should probably be focusing on the fact it could provide a cure. I have an appointment this coming week with the surgeon.

Morning Lash

Thankyou for your response . All sounds positive.

Morning PW

Thankyou for sharing your story with me . My father had prostrate cancer but did not have surgery . He lived an active life (golf) but did not die from prostrate cancer.