Confused on treatment plan

Hello Finders2dab77 

An interesting post and I have just read your journey twice - remember I am not medically trained but my thoughts are:

* The surgeon has no idea of your prognosis and it's a guess!

* I am a T3a (T3aM0N0 Gleason 9 (5+4)) - I am on a "curative pathway" even with various setbacks. That might change at some point but at the moment all is good.

* Your TRUE diagnosis with staging and up to date Gleason score will be 6 to 8 weeks after surgery when they have your prostate on the laboratory bench under a microscope. They will also be able to tell you if they have clear margins. As my good friend Alpine Wanderer says "Histology is King".

I would put off planning for the future until you know more after the surgery - how well you recover and what the histology says and if any future treatment is required. Also how you feel after the surgery.

I may not be helping you with this post BUT it's my honest opinion given the circumstances.

If you have any further questions I am happy to give you my opinion.

Best wishes - Brian.

Thanks Millibob

This was my thought as well but wife has other ideas…. My thoughts are have get the surgery out of the way , which is scaring me to pieces but I know it’s the best if action, recover then review the situation. 

Hello Finders2dab77 

I was never offered surgery for a couple of reasons BUT if the offer had been on the table I would have refused it - I am a wimp when it comes to surgery, and I wouldn't fancy the chances of incontinence or permanent ED.

I assume that Hormone Therapy/Radiotherapy was ruled out dure to you having colitis and the proximity of the rectum and intestine to the prostate.

Now in my simple medical mind I would be checking with the radiologists if

* They use either IGRT or LINAC machines or is there somewhere I could have radiotherapy using one of these machines. They are new, accurate and laser guided to hit the target and nothing else.

* Can I have an injection called "Spaceoar"? You can have this done privately if the NHS won't fund it - it protects the rectum during prostate radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy to me is the answer and much less invasive - what are your wife's thoughts (if they are printable!)

Just my thoughts.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Brian.

wife was originally RT as she knows I will/am scared of the operation. However, prostate out cancer out with a 40-50% chance of a cure I am being told. RT issue is as you said my colitis and it wilcreate scaring on the bowel wall which may result in a colostomy bag down the road which I don’t want as I have just turned 59. Being told I am yoing as well so recovery will be far better. If I was 69 they would be treating me with HT etc.

Paul