Not having treatment

Hi Ben and welcome to the forum where nobody wants to be. It would be helpful to know your PSA and TNM staging to maybe offer some guidance.

There are other treatments besides surgery. Brachytherapy or HT+RT might be appropriate for you.

Thanks Seamus. I had to go get the letter to check. Part of my brain shut down at diagnosis, so I don't remember it all.

Adenocarcinoma of prostate gleeson 4+3 presenting PSA 4.69 MRI T2 N0 MX. 

Proposed treatment surgery.

Hi Ben

I know exactly how you feel. I'm 58, in my fifth year of active surveillance. I have not wanted treatment for the reasons that you describe. Also I have read a lot on this site about the side effects that people have suffered after treatments. I have still not recovered from my template biopsy in 2017. Last year they offered me another biopsy and I declined. Recently my PSA entered the 5 range so I started looking at supposedly less invasive treatments (proton, cyberknife) funded by my health insurance but I've gone off that idea. After any treatment, even RP, there is a risk of recurrence. Why bother?. Just enjoy life to the full while you can 

David

Thanks David. How much grief did you get from family about your decision? Even mooting the idea had caused a big bust up with my other half. 

Were you able to get any info from health professionals about what you might expect by not having treatment? 

Hi Ben. Good questions.

No grief from my family. If anything, they think I have been over-diagnosed.

I haven't asked a health professional what are the implications of no treatment. To be honest, I find the NHS just want to put everyone through their one-size-fits-all program. The private sector just want to sell their services.

hi Ben

U could consider active surveillance  for a time as your stats look lowish, But don't discount treatment  if the tumour gets larger or about to break out of the capsule.

I understand the reluctance for surgery with the potential for long lasting side effects but any kind of Radiotherapy u should be ok.

I had RT in 2017 and do not have any side effects now

Steve

Hi Steve. I've been advised to have surgery rather that radiotherapy. I was thinking that active surveillance would be the fall back, although I was also told it "wasn't an option" originally. 

I didn't think the risk of side effects was less with radiotherapy? When you say you suffer none now, do you mean not even stress incontinence. Are you still able to have "full"  orgasms... don't answer that if it's too personal. 

Thanks

Hi Ben

Not sure why they are only offering surgery, could be your age, obviously still young.

I do read a lot more about problems with surgery rather than RT. If you can get the latest type of RT which is more targeted then you really should have no problems, obviously u may get some during treatment.

So I suffer no urinary issues  and yes full orgasms but they are dry , very little semen , I can live with that, a small price to pay.

Time is on your side so u can leave for now but must monitor and have regular PSA etc.

Steve

Thank you for being frank and honest

Thank you. I feel the same about three options offered