Ok, so I'm now on the HT/RT pathway ...

Hi Able

As far as I am aware, (I have been wrong before) PACE-C is the result of a trial by Prostate Cancer UK which ended in 2022 and resulted in the shortened (5 fractions) of Radiotherapy being offered.

It's being rolled out slowly in the UK - you would have to ask where the nearest centre was to you and if it was possible to go there.

Best wishes - Brian.

Worriedwife said:

Hello Able, at some point I looked at the stats for survival after both surgey and the RT/HT routes. There’s minimal difference!

Agreed, as this article seems to suggest, even with the initial monitoring of lower risk cases.

Worriedwife said:

My husband took the Rt/HT route. He had some difficult months but seems to be doing ok now!

I made the mistake of reading this last night then spent another restless night (mostly up watching the TV) wondering if by choosing HT/RT I was just out of the frying pan and into the fire? ;-(

I hope I made the mistake of reading 'You might' and taking it as 'I probably will' (knowing my luck etc) and reflecting that treating PC with anything other than surgical removal was likely to be increasing the risk of (quality_of _life / life threatening) side effects? ;-(

With PC surgery I have known all along that the negative side effects are pretty well immediate (pain, ED, incontinence) and generally get better over time.

Start blasting X-rays though a body and you can see how it's hard to not cause collateral damage whilst you do, stuff that might bite you later on?

It's because of that and the list of 'You can also suffer with' that isn't likely to be there as a consequence of surgery?

<SIGH>

Hi able, just want to say hello and it is good that you are feeling calmer. For the first 2 chemotherapy sessions I was allowed to wait in the chemo waiting room whilst husband was having his chemo but they have now stopped it. Too far to go home and come back again so I popped along to Maggie's center and what a find it was. As soon as I walked in the door I was greeted  by a member of staff, asked if I would like a drink and a chat. It is just so friendly with no pressure. Doesn't feel remotely linked to a hospital and the decor and furnishings are so calming. If we get to the hospital too early we go and wait there and then I stay until husband has finished his chemo. 

Morning Able

From what I can see and have seen in the past 10 years you are def more likely to have issues with surgery . most likely ones ED and urinary. Ok sometimes these issues will get better   but certainly  not always.

I very rarely read of people having issues with RT although I realise there are some  that have problems.

I know that u can issues later with RT but  6 years on for me and no issues at all.

You should realise that the latest RT is really targeted and this does help alleviate problems , am not talking about the latest  5 day RT  by the way which I know is also supposed to be a good RT treatment.

Steve

Hi Able I understand your issues and you are reading and taking in every bit of information you can do regarding HT/RT.

When you first lie on the "sunbed" and get into position and the Radiologists leave the room, pressing the radiation alarm at the same time going to "hide" behind a lead lined wall in another room you do wonder what another 19 fractions of this will do to your body!

It's a better risk than any alternative - no treatment. 

I know how you feel and yes some of us suffer from it - but - for me it's a minimal risk.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Brian, yes, I believe it's the current manifestation of what started as a trial many years ago using the 'CyberKnife' RT machine that was initially developed for neurosurgery because of the increased precision needed.

I believe the PACE-C version is suitable for 'High risk' cancers like mine, where the A and B versions may not have been and were comparing against slightly different things.

My friend had his treatment at Barts Hospital that is a short train ride and walk for us.

Hello Able

lets put this into perspective! With any medical intervention there is a potential for side effects! Even with over the counter remedies such as aspirin ! There are never 100% guarantees. You have balanced the known risks of surgery with the known risks of RT /HT and the known risks of ‘doing nothing’. You gave it a lot of consideration and did a lot of research to inform your ultimate decision. Now, sorry to say, you just have to go through with it! None of the options available are perfect and what you really want - for the cancer to magically go away on its own- is not an option available to you.

sorry to be so blunt 

that said, yes RT and HT do have side effects but you have control in how you minimise the risks ( follow instructions to the nth degree) and how you deal with them ( positive mind set, keep active, healthy diet etc)

I am immensely proud of how my husband has taken this life’s set back so stoically - just as many many good men posting here have done. I know that you are a ‘deep thinker’ ( a kindred spirit as I am one too!) but there are times like this when we over thinking leaves us feeling rapped in a seemingly impossible situation but my husband has shown me that the answer sometimes really is ‘ just get on and do it and get on with life’ and accept it is what it is.

I have learned so much about my husband, myself, our relationship and prostate cancer in this last year! I have worried, feared, cried ….. but I have received so much love and support and kindness. I hope, too, it has made me a better person. 

Cancer is not a full stop - it is a turning point in our lives and we can and must make the most of what’s there for us - in every sense - health, family, happiness etc

sorry - my own deep thinking!!!!!

I really do hope your treatment pathway goes well  and try to stay in the here and now. Thinking about the past is a waste of energy because what has happened cannot be in happened. Worrying about the future is a waste of energy because what you worry about might not happen. Thinking about the past and the future distracts you so much that you miss the joy of here, right now :)

Thanks for that Shar.

I may well leave the Mrs with daughters partner on my first treatment visit (or prep visit etc) and check out what they have there and check they would be willing to supervise the Mrs. I might be different for those with dementia (or kids etc) as they may not want or be able to take legal responsibility etc?

Being greeted with a smile and a supporting hand does make all the difference though doesn't it. ;-)

Grundo said:

I know that u can issues later with RT but  6 years on for me and no issues at all.

And I very much hope it stays that way mate! ;-)

Whilst sitting round the table at the local PC Support Group the other day I did wonder just how representative the group were of the PC sufferers in general. eg, Were they representative or just those who happened to make it though mostly unscathed?

Like the stories of wars are normally told by the winners. ;-)

But you are also right, the chances are that both the machinery and the application will have improved over the years so someone who may have been treated (with RT or anything pretty well) 10 years ago is unlikely to have the exact same treatment as someone having what at face value the same thing, 5 or 2 years ago.

Your last paragraph, absolutely correct.