active surveillance

A prostate size of 121cc is huge.  The associated resistance to urine flow has an adverse impact not just on everyday life but, long term, also on the kidneys and the bladder.  Speaking from experience, you really want to avoid getting into an acute retention situation.

This forum focusses on prostate cancer but, if not already in progress, I'd suggest following up on the enlargement side with your doctor - it's bad enough having one problem at a time without having two.  

Best wishes, Peroni.

Hello Jack (Jumping Jack) 

Just following up the cracking post above from Peroni - I arrived here with a rather enlarged prostate, mine had crushed my bladder exit and my full bladder crushed my kidneys and tried to kill me. (click on my user name or avatar for full details).

The answer for me was an indwelling catheter for 10 months and a TURP operation where the prostate was "shaved" - hence my phrase "Prostate Cancer - the gift that keeps giving".

Best wishes - Brian.

An excellent steer by Peroni - I agree.  The size of the gland would need to be addressed.  It’s a tricky one, as brachytherapy as a mono therapy probably not suitable on a large prostate, but a combination of Brachytherapy and external beam (BBoost) may be suitable.  If you read my story I avoided ED and I’m looking forward to my second teenage years as I had my last hormone jab on December.  Of course, with your diagnosis, you may be able to avoid hormone therapy (or just have 6 months) and come out the other side relatively unscathed.  Incontinence is rarely a problem with BBoost, but, again, you will need to discuss the order of treatment with your consultant.    AW

Hi bluecloud1,

Thank you for your reply. I don't know why I'm not being offered brachytherapy or HRT/ Radiotherapy, maybe my health authority don't have these services.

I already have a large prostate and problems going to the toilet (especially at night), so maybe these are factors that aren't suitable. 

I read your profile BTW.

Hi, yes maybe…. I understand there is also another new type of external radiation one which I also considered, but brachytherapy came out as the one I wanted. It’s a really difficult choice, and i went round and round in circles, I just didn’t fancy surgery even though lots of people have it. When you are 3+4 or 4+3 you do have these extra options.   the good thing you seem to be in an early stage, thus, fortunate in a way which many others aren’t..    I know I wouldn’t be good at active surveillance but if I were Gleason 3+3 I probably would have, and I could have as I was at 3+4 but I am a bit of a worrier, hence my decision.  Please keep us advised of your progress on this, there are a lot of experienced people on this forum who have been through most things in this area one way or another. 

Hi JJ 

Sorry to hear about your problems but try not to worry to much I know it’s hard. 
When I was first diagnosed with prostate cancer my first thought was to have surgery and dismissed a/s straight away. 
When  I learned more about treatment (with a lot of help from people on hear) and talking to a consultant I thought dismissing a/s straight away was the wrong choice for me. 
I’ve been on a/s for just over a year with psa tests every 3months which have fluctuated in the 6-10 range and have a mri scan booked on 9th April my Gleason score was 3+3. 

Being on a/s has not been a problem for me I just put it to the back of my mind and get on with life, although the few days wait for psa results is always a bit worring  

Hope this helps, it certainly helped me folks on here sharing their experiences  

Hi Fleet, 

Thank you for sharing your experience of a/s.

After a lot of thought, I believe that having the operation is the right way to go for me despite the possible side effects. Cancer has taken a whole generation of my family (I know at least 1 uncle had the aggressive form of prostate cancer). 

At first I was going to go with a/s, but with the history of cancer in my family I think it's best not to take the chance. I'm now waiting for an appt to see the medical team that will be doing the operation so that I can have a good indepth chat with them.

I wish you all best

Hi Jumping Jack , the decision is very personal and I am sure you have made the right choice for yourself.  Good luck with the surgery and your full cancer free recovery.  David

Hi JJ 

One of the biggest things I’ve learnt on here is the biggest worry is making a decision on what treatment to have. 

I found once I made a decision I felt relived as the worry I felt trying to decide had a big impact on my life at the time  

Best wishes to you and your family

Hi David2017, thank you for your reply.

You are absolutely right and only we can make the decision that is right for us and our bodies. 

Several friends and work colleagues have said I  would do this or that, but until you get the diagnosis and the emotions that go with it, you will never really know. I hope they never have to either.

For me, my cancer journey is just beginning and having come to terms with it and my decision, I'm at peace with it for now, and I believe in the power of being positive. 

What does make me angry (really angry) though is that it has taken 3 members of my family and it is still hungry and now wants me. I'm determined it stops with me and it won't have me.

I read your bio, your journey has been long and I hope you keep fighting and don't let it win.

Good luck and best wishes