RE: Surgery or Radiotherapy? Decision made!

You could consider AS as your stats low but one other important  point in relation to your reply to Brian saying that HT not required because of the low stats.

I would grab at that chance because I didn't have the HT either , just RT, but cos I went on the AS for 4 years I left it a bit too long and nearly had to have the HT as well as the tumour had grown.

But if all u have to have is RT then a doddle really.

All the best 

Steve

Hi Steve 

Thanks for the reply.I was thinking of asking about AS but as I've been offered the radiotherapy without hormones then I think that's a plus,a friend of mine had it with the hormones and his side efts were awful and he had to stop them in the end as it really did mess him up, thankfully he's in remission now and just gets checked every year. Hopefully if I do the RT route I'll find it as easy as you did

it should be said that not everyone suffers from HT or not in a big way but if u can avoid it then  RT and any minor side effect issues would last about 6 weeks in total

You are right when u say in  an earlier post  that the latest RT works well and indeed if u can get IMRT or IGRT or sometimes a mix  of both with the gold markers then you'll be OK

Steve

Hi Psmike.

Good afternoon and welcome to the prostate family!!!

Yes from my experience both of my brother and uncle were both diagnosed with prostate cancer (contained) 3-5yrs ago.

They both decided to have there prostate removed with the cancer inside "job done"

I know that my brother has small problems with leakage but they are both very very happy in getting rid off the prostate and cancer.

Unfortunately I was diagnosed with "Terminal Prostate Cancer" last June which has spread to my bones.

So with "hine sight" had the cancer been picked up earlier would I have had the prostate removed "definitely"

But this is really a "personal choice" and had I not had family members with the same problems would I have taken the same route "maybe not"

The moral of the story is you need to do your research/homework and don't go onto the internet as this will "Make a Mountain out of a Mole Hill"

We do have lots of info and advice on our site and there are many members who will point you in the right direction.

Prostate Worrier.

Hi prostate worrier,

So sorry to hear that I really am. When I hear stories like this that's why when I came out of my meeting after my biopsy I was actually happy as I thought the worst and that it had spread so when I got the score I did I was happy even tho my wife was upset as I hadn't shared my fears to spare her the worry,as it was the best bad news I could have received in a weird sort of way.

I've been getting a lot of good messages and think that with the progression in RT I'm definitely leaning towards that but have meeting with the surgeon on Friday to see what he says then I'll sit down and make the decision. I will be based at clatterbridge in Liverpool and they do seem to have an excellent reputation so hopefully whatever I decide will be right for me.

I wish you luck in your fight against this horrible disease and good luck for future

Hi Psmike.

Thanks for your reply yes it is a very hard decision but it is also a personal decision.

Yes all treatments have improved drastically over the past few years.

You need to arm yourself with plenty of info and advice before you decide & also see what your med team decide.

I do wish you all the best in what you decide & please come back to me if there's anything that I can help you further with??

Prostate Worrier.

Hi prostate worrier,

I will let you know once I've decided. Your bravery is to be commended and I honestly take my hat off to you,I haven't actually cried since diagnosis but your kind words have brought me to tears and'm actually at work

Best of luck

Mike

Hi Tommycat,I'm in exactly same position,I've spoken to radiographer specialist and seeing surgeon this Friday then have to make a decision. I've only just been made aware that both have 25-30% of cancer returning whereas I thought if the prostate was removed then 100% it can't return as it's been removed!! My Gleason score is 3+4 and PSA level of 5.2,I'm 53 and feel very fit and after being on here asking questions and getting a bit more info I'm actually swaying to RT as seems virtually same outcome with less pain and discomfort but iay change my mind again....I knkw not much help but think we all go through same emotional rollercoaster. Hope you work it out and good luck

Hello Psmike 

With surgery the idea is to remove the whole prostate and prostate bed and leave clear margins. Once the operation starts, sometimes because of other issues this can't be certain and it's possible not everything is removed.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi I am another one that has just made the decision .Not easy and still question if it’s the right one . I am Gleason 4+3 T3a PSA 12.1 ,

I am going for Surgery and waiting for a Date . Did discuss the options which were either surgery or HT and RT .I had long chats at a local prostate cancer meeting talking with others some had surgery while others had Ht and rt .  The two consultants that I met with agreed that surgery was the best option for me (age64) and I was after the best possible out come and will deal with the side effects as and when they happen .

Good luck with the decision making it’s certainly not easy and what’s right is different for every body.