Just diagnosed and struggling to decide on my treatment pathway.

Hi unfamiliar and welcome.

I am puzzled, they say it has not spread but are talking about  removing nodes and prostate gland.

Your figures are not high so surprising if in the modes, U need to check that.

Bear in mind if going for surgery there are risks of ED and urinary issues although obviously doesn't affect everyone.

Take time to consider and also see what others say about surgery v Radiotherapy 

Best wishes 

Steve 

Hi Steve. My lymph nodes are swollen on the left side of the groin. It’s not cancer but he said he’d remove them anyway if I decide to go for surgery. Thanks for replying it’s much appreciated and needed. 

Take care

Daz

I THINK age and general health relevant to decision. Personally I avoid surgery as far as possible  -  as one of oldest friends who was a very experienced doctor said if you want to stay healthy don't go into hospital, if you have to, avoid general anaesthetic!

Keep researching.

Good luck, Dave.

If swollen lymph nodes not cancer then possibly find out the cause , u don't want to lose nodes unless really necessary. Also Do u know tumour size ?

Steve 

Hi Dave. I’m 58 & in good health but I’m thinking along those lines tbh. I’m glad Iv signed up here I’m feeling less alone already. Thanks for the reply. 
Take care 

Daz

This is a really difficult question to answer, because I can't find any UK pages that make any direct comparisons, and sharing information from other countries is not possible in this forum. 

It seems to me that building your own note comparing the positives and negatives of each form of treatment in some kind of list or table format is going to be helpful to make the decision. The Macmillan pages are here:

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

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

You should probably remember that radiotherapy is often combined with hormone therapy and so the hormone therapy page is below:

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

It might be comforting to see that the outcome of either treatment for cancer at your stage is pretty good, and much the same for either course of treatment.

So, it comes down to the side effects, and your ability to tolerate them. Even that is hard to do.

I have had radiotherapy and hormone therapy. I have had all the usual side effects and, so far, none of the less usual ones. They are not hard to deal with, especially if you mutter to yourself "I am still alive" at regular intervals.

He said it’s normally some sort of infection & said it would be ok to remove! Don’t know the tumor size.

Hello Daz (Unfamiliar (9bb574b197104046a383e88f8566081c)) 

Welcome to the group, although i am so sorry to find you joining us. 58, lowish PSA and Gleason 7 no spread, so whichever treatment path you chose it will be with "curative intent".

My friend Steve (mstev2 (3a6fe71c3e7345e99a51b63521a292d3)) has given you our links to the various treatments offered. As this is a "couples cancer" (think of the effects on your sexual functions) my advice is to have a chat with your wife/partner and write a list of pros and cons as to how the treatments would affect both of you.

Oh! and as you are only 58 with a cancer diagnosis don't forget to apply for free prescriptions if you are in England.

Feel free to ask any questions (stay away from Dr Google) nothing is too trivial.

Best wishes - Brian

Hi Steve thanks for the links that’s just what I needed. Love the last paragraph of your message & im buying into that ethos. 

Take care 

Daz

Hi Brian, so glad Iv joined the group. Going to get stuck into those links later & carry on raising my new found positivity. 
Thanks for the pro/cons tip and Iv already collected my exemption form from the GP

Take care

Daz