prostate

Hi Svenson

You don't give any stats which would be helpful but am going to assume lowish as surgery appears on the table.

Surgery or RT and HT , always a big question.

Simply, if u are prepared to possibly accept  ED and urinary issues then surgery is one way forward and it should be all over within a few months with the option of RT if it returns.

RT is easier but lasts longer because of the HT in addition to the RT. Should be no long term issues once treatment finished.

Surgery  more difficult if cancer returns after RT.

By the way not everyone has issues with surgery, just wanted to mention that.

See what others say and good luck, do much research.

Steve 

Hello svenson  A warm welcome to the online Prostate Cancer Community - I know you didn't want to be here....but you are.

A very difficult and personal choice. Take it out or Hormone therapy/radiotherapy. that question is asked at least twice a week and the answer is it's personal to you. May I suggest you make a list with the "pros and cons" for each treatment.  I will start you off with:

https://shop.prostatecanceruk.org/our-publications/all-publications

This is a link to Prostate Cancer UK's publications - They are great at showing each form of treatment and the side effects, have a read of the ones that are relevant.

Next chat to people here who have "been there - done that" I am sure plenty will be around to offer advice.

I will start you off - I am on Hormone Therapy/radiotherapy - I have been on that route for 2 years and if you click on the icon of the beach you can read my journey. I had a couple of issues - but it's going to be a happy ending!  If you have any questions ask away.

Good Luck - Brian.

Hi Steve,

thanks for your reply. by my stats i think you mean this T2 NO MO.. i know it is contained in the shell and the consultation i have had with the urologist is that he would do nerve sparing surgery, he also said the results were good for incontinence and ED, but of course cannot guarantee , I would need HT & RT if I do not have the surgery. So would be looking at around 7 months for this , and then i think i would be on HT for 1-3 yrs after.  so confused to know what best decision to make.

Yes, difficult I know, see what others say.

Stage 2 so low, I assume PSA under 20 as well.

With those stats HT may not need to be so long, longer times is generally for the more aggressive and larger tumour types.

Don't forget if  you have seen a surgeon he will obviously be pushing the surgery option, yes nerve sparing is there but no guarantees as has been said.

I had RT on the basis didn't want a major op and everything ok since 2017.

Steve 

Hi Steve,

my PSA was 4.3. 

like all going through this i want it done and out of the way. If I have the surgery it feels like i am taking the house away for the cancer so it has no where to live so wont come back home, but if i leave it there the cancer may come back .if i have the HT& RT the oncologist has said i would need HT for 6 months then 1 month of RT and then 1-3yrs HT, and it could still come back.  so confused what to do 

Don't forget it can come back with either treatment but  your stats do seem very low so  you Def should be ok, I assume Gleeson is 6 or 7?

Hi Brian,

Have read your journey, that was tough, so pleased you ok .

I will try and ask other forum users who have had surgery some questions.  Was the enema a problem as i would need to travel 30 mins to the hospital and is it before each session.. Because I work outside and especially in the summer I think it would trouble me if I had noticable increase in my breast tissue.  I also clicked on the link, is there a pros and cons list there. I do have the leaflets on the types of treatments. which do help & dont help they all show risks & side effects so I am no better in my thoughts. 

Gleeson was 7  4+3

Ok, so all good, either way you should get rid of it.

Only thing to think about is possible ED and urinary issues but hopefully u won't get them and arguably a price worth paying if the cancer is gone and of course sometimes these issues dissipate over time

All the best

Steve 

Hello svenson  The enema's were "micro enemas" self administered and worked in 15/20 minutes. Many people arrived at RT and did their enema then!!

Not everyone gets the side effects - mine are all under control now. - even my "moobs" don't bother me!! I always look on those two words the oncologist said to me "Curative treatment".

I am sure if you run through the threads on the "diagnosis and treatment" forum you will find plenty of Community members who have had surgery.

Anything else please come back to me.

Best wishes - Brian.