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Hi Sparky . Someone’s going to ask you for your psa , age , and Gleason scores etc . So it might as well be me . I recently had a prostatectomy for a stage 2 b. T2b , Nodes 0 , Metastasis 0 ( T2b ,N0,M0 ) . So like you I probably localised disease , probably curable by surgery or radiotherapy. Are you still a bit stunned by the diagnosis ? Everyone seems to find the first big problem is deciding how you want to be treated ! Bill

Hi Bill I'm at the stage of deciding on treatment. I saw surgeon last week & see oncologists on Friday, I'm 70, for and unroll this, would say I was very healthy. My PSA is 39' my Gleason is 3+4=7 large there was 100% in the 32 samples taken in the biopsy bone scan, MRI & PET scans indicate that it's not spread outside the prostate. As I say I'm about to have to decide on treatment and I'm wounding why you went for surgery & not radiotherapy? Les

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Hi Bill

Not sure about all the numbers you mention. Perhaps I will when I discuss with my consultant on Friday.

Not really a shock as accepted a few weeks ago that it is cancer but  just relieved it has not spread.

I would prefer surgery as I just want rid

Hi Les

I just want rid and prepared to put up with the surgery side effects which hopefully will recede in time.

Hi Les . I really struggled with that one !! If we make the assumption that each has an equal chance of a good outcome , then it’s very difficult. I was a doctor , but in France , where I live , I have no medical links . The care seems very structured and protocol driven. . The alternative I was offered was a n initial reaming out of the prostate , 2 months of daily radiotherapy, and 6 months of ADT ( anti androgens ) . I was also told that if I got recurrence , a rescue prostatectomy would not be possible .

At the same time , a close friend of my age was diagnosed with Stage 4 , treated with ADT , and not at all having a good time .

I was G 4+3 , 3 cores positive , 2 3+3 ,target 4+3 . Bone scan , Ct -ve PSA 11 , prostate 90cc. 

My sex life had pretty much wound down , and I thought I could cope with the relatively small chance of severe urinary incontinence.

The local centre had a robot , and is quite highly rated by the French quality scoring for P Ca 

I was an anaesthetist and was fairly comfortable with surgery .

The gamble is that I can totally avoid ADT.But I haven’t been to my follow up visit yet , so don’t know .

The surgery was fine , my only urinary problem is when I get up to pee in the night ( less often than before ) my pelvic floor muscles are still asleep , and that can be messy . Needs work .

Unfortunately , have no recommendations for you . I’ll only know in a year what side effects I have , and whether I still have a chance of being cured. The surgeon said there was no sign of infraction of the capsule . Best wishes , bill

Sorry Les . Didn’t say that I’m 69. Bill

I think you’ve got to get the following . PSA , Gleason and grade group . Is there any Extracapsular extension ? Does he think it’s confined to gland ? If you’re going to be involved in the decision, you must know this , at least . Good luck !

Thanks Bill thanks for your thoughts. I realise I have to make the decision but like you an finding it really difficult. I found your decision making very helpful. Is SET what they call hormone therapy in the Uk?

Good luck for a full and speedy recovery.

Les

Thanks Sparky. I have to say that's high on my thinking. 

Good luck to you for a full recovery

Les

I think it’s normally ADT ( Androgen Deprivation Therapy ) that’s used , which block the effect of testosterone ( chemical castration ) . I don’t know what SET is . I think you can give female hormones as well - it’s maybe that . Don’t quote me !!! Best wishes , Bill