Just been diagnosed with localised cancer 3+4 T2 NO MO very confused with what treatment to go for. Initial discussion with consultant he talked about surgery or radiotherapy with HT with little mention of Active Surveillance. As I am 63 years old don’t know whether to go for surgery and just be done?
Hello DM77 A warm welcome to the online Prostate Cancer Community.
I would have thought Gleason 7 would have ruled Active Surveillance out as the 4 in the score shows that some of the cancer cells will grow at a moderate rate.
The choice between surgery and HT/RT is a very personal one and you need to write a list of the pros and cons of both treatments and the side effects, possible issues and quality of life as at the end of the day it's your body.
There are plenty of members of the Community who have gone down both routes. I suggest you have a read through the various threads, write down your questions and come back to us and ask what you need to know.
Some Community members have their personal journey on their profile - reading these will help. You can read mine by clicking on the icon of the beach. I am on the HT/RT journey (I didn't get a choice!!) but I have had other issues to resolve too.
Good luck - ask what you want - we are honest and are wishing you well with your choice.
Best wishes - Brian
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Hi D77
My husband was diagnosed back in May last year. His stats were Pirads 5 T2N0M0 Bone scan clear. PSA 14.5 Gleason 3+4=7 with Cribriform features
He elected to have surgery being advised from both surgeon and Oncologist to do so, as they said he was a fit 63 year old and would manage surgery well even though he had a mild heart attack,and had to have three stents fitted in his arteries two years ago! They assured us that his disease was confined to the prostate on more than one occasion.
So on 6th October he had a Robotic assisted radical prostatectomy at Addenbrookes hospital. He has done, and is continuing to do very well, with incontinence very minimal and some sensation returning as far as erections go. Six weeks post op his PSA was <0.02 and we are awaiting his next PSA test in February hoping that it stays stable. So far so good.
However my husband’s histology six weeks post op discovered that his disease was actually T3aN0M0 and there was bladder neck involvement. Although surgeon managed to obtain clear margins.. We are now not sure whether we would have chosen surgery if we’d known this, Although the only one true way to see the exact state of the prostate is to have it removed and examined! I guess what I’m trying to say is that as Millibob says, write down all the pros and cons,make your choice and go with it as best you can.
I wish you all the best
Beverley
Hi DH
There are a couple more bits of info u need to consider before asking about active surveillance , PSA and tumour size and location in the gland, IE not too near gland edge.
Main thing to consider if going for surgery is possible ED and urinary issues although not everyone has a major problem.
The other thing to consider, if the cancer comes back after surgery you can still have Radiotherapy but very difficult the other way round, surgery after RT.
So, lots to consider, take your time and also see what others say
Best wishes
Steve
Thanks Steve
me and my wife have taken all your thoughts into consideration over the last couple of weeks reading many reports and talking to others
I have my meeting with the oncologist next week following on from their MTD meeting so will hopefully be closer to making a decision
cheers
Dave
Dave,
Just been diagnosed with localised cancer 3+4 T2 NO MO
My diagnosis was very similar in May 2021. I had the Hormones and Radiotherapy (I was unsuitable for surgery, don't know if I would have went for that anyway).
The fatigue lasted quite a while, still have ED, but hopefully on 15th February I will be 2 years in remission.
Well worth everything, the whole Cancer journey has made me into a better person, more understanding and empathetic.
There are a lot of good people in this forum who have been through it all. Plenty of experiences of all different treatments.
Not everyone has side effects, it changes from person to person.
Please keep us informed on your progress.
Steve (SteveCam)
Hi DM77
I was diagnosed with localised cancer 4 + 3 T2 NO MO last year, & although I asked about Active Surveillance (mainly because it would have put off having to make a decision) I was told it wasn't something they could recommend.
As Millibob has said it is a very personal choice which treatment route to chose as there are so many considerations to take into account & in the end it is a personal choice after doing a lot of research. If it helps, my personal journey having chosen HT & RT is detailed on my profile.
Lots of things to consider, best wishes in whichever route you decide on.
Brian
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