Prostate cancer

great, same for me, i am now 18 weeks on from my brachytherapy, so with you going for sbrt we can do a really good comparison,  which will really help others..  

Pretty similar , 52 years old psa 4.9 gleeson 3+4 yesterday. Mri nothing really to see. Not sure if AS will suit me , I'm much more a find a solution and fix it guy. 

Hi Steve, AS is a positive as they've caught the cancer early, which treatment are you leaning towards?? It's a very difficult decision but when caught early like yourself and me then as the radiotherapy specialist said surgery is OTT and likened it to trying to crack a walnut with a sledgehammer, surgery scared me tbh due to the very likelihood of side effects following surgery. You have plenty of of time to decide so ask as many questions as you need to, no question is silly and you'll know yourself when you have all the information. Good luck with your choice 

So guys, 4 weeks after last radiotherapy session and feel good. Think I definitely chose the right course of treatment. I was worried to desth about all the possible side effects and to be honest I had slight tiredness and my semen is watery, both well manageable considering the possibille side effects. No change in urinary habits, going the toilet or erections which were all a major concern, not something we want to talk about but something we need to talk about. Being honest here, anyone going through this and can't talk to someone they know then I'm here to offload, scary bur there is life after diagnosis if caught early enough, I know some  guys have been diagnosed late so that's why I'm saying to everyone get checked at 40/45 as never too soon. Let's beat this together and let's be strong guys, don't be embarrassed as it's life we're talking about 

Well done I called back to see the team on Friday. I was not handling AS well as I couldn't etc my head around having 42% positive cores out of 18 in 4 aareas and high grade PIN in another.

I have asked for early treatment,  I met with the consultant professor. He recomends nerve sparing RALP using da Vinci  at Christie's. 

He was really positive about the outcome given my age etc. He did quote figures for Ed and incontinence etc at my age and stage.

He insists I speak to the radiation consultant when he gets back in a couple of weeks. He said the increase in bowel disease risk was a factor with some treatments at my age. I'll wait to see radiation team, but if he's right about the ED and incontinence I'm swaying that way.

Its weird I feel almost guilty about admitting that given how many people advise against it. 

Hello Steve (Steve1973) 

I can't comment on your choice of treatment as that would be going against medical advice. I would however:

* Listen to the oncologist and see what they have to say about radiotherapy.

* Read the NICE guidelines which show the after effects of surgery/radiotherapy at 1.3.7 in this link: NICE Guidelines.

I am under Christie's myself and can't fault any advice or treatment I have had - and although my PSA is on the up it was expected and they are looking after me.

If you need any help or further information please do let me know,

Best wishes - Brian.

Steve1973 said:

Its weird I feel almost guilty about admitting that given how many people advise against it. 

Hi Steve1973 - don’t feel guilty: Christies is a first class centre of excellence and the surgeon has insisted that you speak to a radiologist (oncologist), so you will have both sides of the coin.  You’re young (presumably born 1973) and you’re on AS, so you have plenty of time to consider all sides. The reason that the surgeon mentioned an increase risk of bowel disease (cancer) may be founded in older radiotherapy treatments from, say, 20 years ago. Has he been working in this field for many years?  Anyway, radiotherapy is MUCH more accurate and effective nowadays (image and computer controlled etc).  That said, you’re young and removal may get all the cancer in one fell swoop. Ironically, with your diagnosis so far, the decision is a fine line between the two.  Listen to the oncologist then decide. Think about side effects, too.  If you’re on AS because it’s completely contained, then you may not need adjunctive systemic treatment (hormone treatment), so radiotherapy would possibly be an easier pathway (ask about focal therapy, the shorter course SBRT, and also brachytherapy as a mono therapy) .   You have time to do all the research and if you’re under the Christie, you’re in a good position.  AW

Hi everyone,had my 8 week follow up after SBRT and PSA is down from 10.2 to 3.6.....such a massive relief. Specialist said it can take up to 12 months sometimes to drop so she was more than happy with the results. Just want to say a massive thank you to the NHS and Catterbridge Liverpool as treatment and staff were excellent,can't recommend them enough.Also a massive thanks to you guys and McMillan who have been there with help ,Answers and encouragement at such a trying and often stressful time. Anyone needs help or answers drop me a message and I'm more than happy to try and help. Thanks again and here's to my PSA dropping even further.God bless

Hello Psmike 

Great post and brilliant news. Thanks for keeping us in the loop and offering your help, it's much appreciated.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Psmike - thanks also the the PM.  Yes, that PSA is very likely to drop throughout the next 12-18 months, as the cancer cells die when they try to divide (after being altered by the radiotherapy, the body doesn’t recognise them and instructs them to die. They then get absorbed harmlessly by the body).  AW