Recovery and after effects of prostatectomy

Hi Chippy, sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

It's a difficult one , surgery or RT, there r pros and cons for both.

I am biased I suppose, I had RT , no problems , apart from side effects during treatment, 3 years out, everything ok.

There are plenty of people on here who r happy with surgery although I have to say that I do read more from people regards side effects, some long term, from surgery.

Surgery is more invasive, major op, catheter to contend with etc.

Do read up on the possible side effects for both before making up your mind, also see what others say.

One more thing if going for surgery, make sure that the tumour is not too large or near the capsule edge

Best wishes

Steve

Thanks Steve, my head is buzzing with all the info they have sent, I was leaning towards surgery as I figure if it's gone the prostate that is there is no chance it could return but if you're still clear after 3 years seems RT is also pretty good. What and how bad were the side effects during treatment and what is the capsule edge 

Regards Clippy123 

Clippy

Don't forget that having the prostate removed is never 100% guarantee that the cancer won't return or that there is some left, in other words some cells have already broken out thru the capsule edge.

If the cancer is near the capsule edge and possibly about to break out then removing the prostate may be too late. Do get some more info on your tumour size and location within the prostate.

Side effects for my RT during and 6 weeks after treatment , severe constipation, problems urinating, in my mind RT, the lesser of two evils.

Do u have any stats ie: Psa, Gleeson etc?

Capsule edge, imagine a plum, the skin layer on the outside, that would be edge,.

Steve

  I had surgery. Yes there are side effects. 14 months on and i have no issues with continence. Radiotherapy after surgery is more feasible than the other way around.

Ed is an issue although unfortunately it's spread so as well as chemo I'm on hormone therapy which removes desire and ability.

If contained then surgery good

Thanks Young man,  I'm so sorry to hear it has returned. I've been given some good news, the cancer I have is very slow growing and not likely to be life threatening in the next 10/15 years they're offering me the treatment to protect me in later life so I have plenty of time to weigh up the pros and cons of both options radiotherapy or surgery. I really hope that your treatment cures you good luck with everything. Incidentally did they offer you anything for the ED, 

Regards Clippy123 

I have been offered initially viagra then bean counters changed to sidinelfide generic version, not as effective, given hormone therapy I have no desire, I’m 51 so young in some aspects and I’m sure if I asked I could get something, I take it weekly or so not enough reaction for sex but makes the Penis more natural and find better for incontinance- might just be in my head but if it makes me feel better.

prior to hormone therapy I had some encouraging results but hay ho

Good luck for the future mate 

PSA 5.6 GLEASON 3+4 I've been given some good news, the cancer I have is very slow growing and not likely to be life threatening in the next 10/15 years they're offering me the treatment to protect me in later life so I have plenty of time to weigh up the pros and cons of both options radiotherapy or surgery. I really hope that your treatment cures you good luck with everything. Incidentally did they offer you anything for the ED, 

low PSA and  Gleeson that's why they have suggested active surveillance , they will obviously want to monitor the Psa to watch out for increases.

with those kinds of figures surgery is def an option for u so long as tumour confined but then the specialists should know that.

I do read more of ED problems  after surgery than RT although if RT is combined with Hormone therapy then Ed can be there.

with your figures u may not need HT,  then u just sail thru 20 sessions of RT on its own.  just a thought.

Steve

Hi there is help with ED it's just with hormone therapy that kills it.  Even if i had the assistance required I'd probably be thinking about something else and not concentrating on the job in hand