New diagnosis prostate cancer low risk

Hi Nick and welcome 

Wow, a surgeon who is not suggesting removal, that must be unusual.

I understand u not wanting the active surveillance but your stats are low enough to support watch and wait.

It's always a difficult choice surgery or RT.

I was going for surgery but then changed my mind because of possible side effects and it is a major op which I didn't fancy.

Your comment about RT not getting rid of all the cancer, well that can be the case with surgery as well but of course with your stats being so low probably wouldn't return with either treatment.

I should add that not everyone has issues with surgery but I do read  quite a lot of posts re ED issues.

So take your time and do a bit more research plus see what others say.

Good luck

Steve 

Thanks Steve!

I feel I'm going round in circles!

Am speaking to oncologist again later today so perhaps can gain a greater understanding of possible latent side effects. With removal, its done and seems risks are likely to be apparent within months, whereas it seems with RT it could be years before difficulties commence. 

Just want it treated and move on not remain concerned about side effects or not in the years to come.

I will heed your advice- more research!

Thanks again!

Nick

Hi Nick

Welcome to the group. You've come to the right place for advice and support. Fortunately your PC seems to have been caught really early so you have a very high chance of a complete cure whichever route you choose.

I had surgery a year ago (age 61 Gleeson 4+3=7 N0M0) and fortunately have had great results. I chose the op because I just wanted to get it out of the way as quickly as possible. I'm not a medico but have read up on the outcomes. Success rates for a complete cure are about the same for both treatments with your stats, with surgery only very slightly better. In terms of future re-occurance, I'm afraid that this can happen whether you have surgery or RT, but again it is, with your stats, statistically very low. It's more about which treatment you prefer, having weighed up the possible side effects of both. On the surgery side, apart from the obvious risks of a major op, they tend to be incontinence and ED. Statistically most people recover from incontinence within a year, some within a matter of weeks (as in my case). Around 50% of people have some level of ED, so a pretty high risk, although there are things that can be done to help with this.

Other on here will be able to tell you more about HT/RT side effect and the alternative RT treatments.

Watch and wait is an option as the PC might be growing so slowly that it never becomes a risk to your health. Potentially avoiding any treatment. For this reason it is sometimes recommended for older people whose life expectancy is obviously less than for a 57 year old fit person. Personally, I'm not a fan of waiting, for reasons of how it would affect my mental health. I also feel that the earlier you get it treated the less likely it could escape the prostate and cause more serious problems. That's just me though and others with more experience of active surveillance might be able to give better advice.

Feel free to ask me anything.

Cliff

Hi Cliff

Thanks for your response and information

Having spoken to oncologist yesterday, it was reiterated that watch and wait is a good option physically but as stated the impact of just waiting for the news the PC needs treatment is not an option for me. Having considered the risks both immediate and in the longer term and considering my personal circumstances, it was felt that surgery is the better option for me. 

I will discuss further with surgeon and hopefully, have the op, deal with the side effects, knowing that all options have been given due consideration.

Thanks for the support!

Nick

Hi Nick (Nick P ), I understand your dilemma but it is a decision only you can make.  I suggest you list all the pros/cons for you (and ask for help on here if you want more info). I am sure you will make the correct decision.  But whatever it is, just commit to it and be positive.

I didn’t have an option as already advanced but probably would have thought like you, removal sounds safest.  However, RT has advanced so much that it will kill all the active cancer cells in the prostate.  The problem appears to be (I am not medically trained) that in both options, some cells don’t get removed and remain dormant somewhere.  The stats for cure are very good with both options. Best wishes, David