Diagnosis

Hi there,

I elected to have surgery Prostatectomy in July 2020 aged 62 (Gleeson 3+4, PSA 14). Had the op on the Thursday and got discharged on the Friday. I won't make light of the procedure - I think too many do. It takes time for the body to recover and set backs are to be expected. I was leak free by Day 30 which I am told is pretty good. Sex life never recovered despite trying all available drugs.

I have now given quite a few people my advice based on my own personal experience. Stuff the glossy literature or hospital staff don't mention.

All the best

Ian

Thank you for the advice Ian

All the best to you too

Hi G

Your stats are low, could be worth asking if active surveillance is an option. Obviously u are still young , there is always the risk of ED issues with surgery, Radiotherapy not so much, so do consider that,

Best wishes

Steve

I thought exactly the same but didn't like to say in case I was missing something fundamental. I read that in the US there has been some controversy over what some experts say is unnecessary intervention particularly for Gleeson 3 + 3.

www.medpagetoday.com/.../90601

Oncologists had meeting today to decide on my treatment (Gleeson 3 + 3, TN2)

Prostatectomy seemed to be the underlying treatment advised. Also I could have brachytherapy instead, which seems on research online seems to be a more favourable option perhaps. (I think perhaps more expensive to the NHS as I felt I was being coerced to the prostatectomy or am I overthinking)

Has anyone had experience of Brachytherapy?      Active surveillance has not been mentioned, I'm not the expert.

Thanks again for all your comments and advice

Hi HH,

which hospital did you have your surgery in?  We’re you able to choose your surgeon?  Thank you 

Leicester General, where there are only two specialist surgeons. But having looked at their outcomes I would have been equally happy with either.

HH

Hi Geeman

When I was 54 I had a diagnosis very similar to yours. I'm now 59 and I have been on active surveillance for 5 years. During that time my psa has gradually risen to 3.5 to around 5.5. I have had annual MRIs all showing no significant change. I have had no more biopsies.

At the time of my diagnosis I remember my GP saying that one in three men over 50 have some cancer cells in their prostate and most will never know.

I hope to be able to wait until better treatments are available, or avoid it altogether.

Best wishes for your decision.

11 days since my diagnosis (Gleeson 6 PSA 3.6)

Over this time period it felt like I was being influenced for preparing for surgery or radiotherapy which seemed to me extreme for my levels.

However, I had a meeting today with another consultant and I have decided to go on Active Surveillance.

I am a bit unsure about this, especially as I am not due for another blood test for 6 months. But then again if it was that serious I'm sure I would have been informed by the consultant.

My wife is not happy and worried it will get worse. The consultant said that would be highly unlikely but a possibility.

All the best to everyone