Newly diagnosed PCa

Hello MountainEdge 

A warm welcome to the Online Community, although I am so sorry to find you joining us.

I assume you have been on AS (Active Surveillance) for 6 years and your PSA has increased.

I would agree with the Consultant, Surgery is a major operation with no guarantees regarding bladder control or ED and Radiotherapy involves 20 fractions on the "sunbed" at hospital, yes there can be side effects but a much easier less invasive treatment. OK yes it's 20 plus trips to hospital but it's pain free, just a bit of fatigue!

Yes there is the point you can't have surgery if radiotherapy doesn't cure you - you can have it if surgery goes wrong but I would only want one treatment anyway, so for me this point is void.

I hold my hand up - I have been on my journey over 4 years (click on my avatar for details) but if surgery had been offered I would have refused it anyway - yes I am a wimp.

Just my ramblings but I hope they help - I am sure others will be along to give an opinion.

Happy to answer any questions.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hello ME,

I was 78 when diagnosed - about on the line for "no surgery". Was still offered surgery but in the end decided not to go that way. My logic was basically centered on what you mention. I had 20 sessions of RT with no noticeable side effects; 18 months of HT with not too many side effects, but it seemed to having other strange effects after 18 months, so I stopped my HT early - with the acquiescence of my MDT consultants. ("Minimal risk")

If you go for RT, ask about the availability of SGRT in your area. Worth travelling for - less hassle all round, more accurate beam placement = less risk of hitting the "wrong bits" inside you. 

I have no regrets on going that way !

The decision is entirely up to you.................

My husband was diagnosed at age 75 T3aN0M0 after many years of PSA monitoring ( not formal ‘active surveillance). He was advised that surgery would be more risky because of his age and advised to go down the RT/HT route with the ‘intention to cure’ - which he did. He did not cope well with the HT side effects - largely, I think, because he was also dealing with a non- prostate related health problem at the same time. The hardest part of the RT was the drive to and from the hospital! We both got very tired as I did the driving. His oncologist stopped the HT after 18 months as my husband had literally reached rock bottom! So far, almost 2 years after completing ht, his PSA is in the region of 0.2 and he is back to his pre cancer diagnosis self! 
HTH ( and I’m touching wood as I type and hoping I’m not tempting Fate)