Turps and Prostate Cancer

Hi Delboy, yeah, my husband was monitored (6 months PSA only) until 2022. At the age of 75 his PSA reached 10 and they decided it was time to do more. After all the diagnostics they, too, suggested radiotherapy and hormone therapy but I asked about surgery at one of the consultations. My husband actively did not want the surgery and said so! That was the end of any discussions!!!

He went down the RT and HT route - it was not too bad, all in all but we were really glad to reach the end of the treatment in May. Now its a case of 'wait and see' with regular PSA checks - we are told this will be for 10 years.

Good luck with your own journey!

Hello Delboy73 .

This video might give you a little information about your Gleason 3+3=6 and the 29 PSA in relation to the size of the prostate. If you are having a TURP then this will give you an updated Gleason which might direct if treatment is recommended. You don't say over what time period the PSA has increased from 18 -29 but generally if it goes above 20 it's a sign for further investigation and possibly a higher risk. If you want a more definite idea of where the cancer is then you might want to ask if you can have a PSMA PET CT scan which uses a tracer to attach specifically to the prostate cancer cells - this would confirm where the cancer is.

https://youtu.be/lHVQmhQE0qA?si=_jFG8TjbIOE7I7VB

Thanks for the reply!!I've had the PET Scan in Southampton and my PSA went up over 4 months. I don't get to see the same doctor twice... but it was really having the Biopsy awake really killed my confidence in the NHS..but I'm going to have the Turps, will have to see how it goes...

Hello Delboy73 

The TURP operation is where they “shave” the Prostate and it helps with your flow. They also examine the “chips” to ensure you have the correct Gleason Score.

It’s a painless operation and you have one or two nights in hospital. I had one in November 2022 and it’s detailed in my journey record (click on my avatar or name for the details).

if you have any questions- feel free to ask - you will get honest answers. 

Best wishes - Brian.

A PSMA PET CT is more diagnostic than a standard PET scan and can pick up smaller sites of cancer. Also that is a big jump in PSA in a relatively short period of time and should be investigated. All the best with the TURP and let us know how you get on.

OK..  but there is no mention of any over night stays!!!!   It's now on a shoe string, that's why I had No Anesthetic!

Hello Delboy73 

Honest - it’s at least one overnight - it depends on how you recover. My TURP was just over an hour. I had a spinal injection and was numb from the belly button down but it was painless and my flow was amazing afterwards.

i had mine at North Manchester General and I thought the staff were worth every penny they were paid. Couldn’t do enough for me.

Trust me, the NHS is under pressure but my TURP was so good I went back to the ward a few days later with boxes of chocolate!!

I had had an indwelling catheter for 10 months and had to learn to wee again but the TURP and pelvic floor exercises sorted me out.

I am aware you have had a bad experience with the NHS but it’s not all bad!! 

Best wishes - Brian.

I'm phoning the Hospital tomorrow, to find out about the stay over.. but there's No mention of it in my paperwork they gave me... everything is now on a shoe string !!!!!

Thanks.. I'm also having my biopsy at the same time. as the Turps....

I had a two night stay for my TURP back in 2004.  It was quite painless and the lovely nurse was very careful taking out the catheter so that bit was quite comfortable too.  At that time no cancer found but my PSA continued to creep up and then started a bit of a canter 11 years later to 13 when the biopsy was taken and I was found to have a Gleeson of 7(3+4) and at MRI a staging of T2 or possibly T3 disease.  Because T3 disease could not be ruled out it was thought the best way to go was with Hormone Therapy and Radiotherapy to get everything in the area.  Now nearly 9 years on this looks like it was the best way to go as to all intents and purposes my PCa is "cured" and still undetectable PSA - though we always worry at the annual PSA checks.  My urologist was also of the opinion thought that a prostatectomy would have made my ongoing bladder issues worse.

It may be that they wait to see how you recover from the pain meds, sedation or spinal block they give you as to whether or not you stay in - it may also depend on if you have the procedure in the early morning or later in the day.  

I have found I can never rely on the hospital paperwork they send out as always found it doesn't give the full details or things have changed a lot for the procedure at that hospital since the paperwork was first written.  I went for one procedure and asked them as per the paperwork were they going to do something or other and the sister asked me whatever gave you that idea - I produced the paperwork and she told me we haven't done that for about 10 years!  So always best to check things out exactly