Newly diagnosed - Gleason 3+4 (4=30%)

Hi  Stanlee66bd5e 

just saw your post and wanted to wish you well on whatever journey you decide to go down . It’s mind boggling but someone on here will give you support . My OH is in HT/RT so can’t advise .

take care & hugs 

Liz & OH xx

Hi S

I had RT which was relatively easy but I have read good things about seeded brachy, I think similar outcomes to external beam RT.

Hopefully someone will post who has had the seeded brachy.

Best wishes 

Steve 

A sad welcome, but all is not lost, your Urologist and Oncologyst will offer advice and guidance. I cannot have mine removed as I am high risk of return, so hormone and radiotherapy, I am good with that, even though it would have been my choice for removal.

The advice, other people's journey, will be extremely beneficial. I also advise, one hurdle at a time and patience.

All the best to you on your journey.

Hi Stanlee66bd5e

Welcome to the group. Lots of knowledgeable people on here can help with any questions you may have. 

Diagnosis is a whirlwind for everyone, but things get easier once you've sorted out what you want to do and are on a treatment path. You are right, catching it early is great news and makes a complete cure highly likely. 

I went down the surgery path as I was looking for a quick result and am happy with my choice. Feel free to ask me anything. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to tell you about their Brachy experiences.

PC is very slow growing so take your time considering the various options.

Best of luck

Cliff

Thanks Cliff, My first instinct was surgery but not sure I could deal psychologically with the potential side effects.

Hi Stanlee...

Sorry that you have had to join this group but you will find it a brilliant source of help & information.

You say that work are being dicks which is a great shame given the situation you now find yourself in, but are you aware that The Equality Act (if you are in England, Scotland or Wales - Disability Discrimination Act still applies in N. Ireland) considers a diagnosis of cancer as a disability which gives you important rights.  Might be worth looking into what sort of help this might be to you if needed.

Best Wishes

Brian

Hi Stanlee66bd5e - yes, I have.  Check out my bio & ask any questions.  You may only need brachytherapy without wider radiotherapy.  AW

Sorry to hear mate

I was diagnosed in March , also 3+4 , spent months looking at options including focal but ended up going for full surgery which is next week but got to be honest the surgeon I met via the NHS gave me no confidence whatsoever so if he had been the only choice I would have taken another treatment option , I eventually searched for high volume surgeons with good outcomes and reviews and nave paid for it privately, if you do look at surgery don’t be pushed into the first one that is offered as I believe you can ask to be referred to others , I was always told to look at someone who does at least a 100 procedures a year 

Hi Stanlee,

Like everyone here, I am sorry to be writing to you on this forum.  I so hope whatever path you chose works out as well for you as my choice did for me.

I was Gleeson 3+4 prior to any treatment and sadly later found out this was inaccurate and I am now 4+4.  I only found that out after having my operation and the prostate being examined after removal.  It seems a biopsy may not give the most accurate Gleeson score.  As someone who has had the operation I am unable to comment on brachytherapy.

However, I do want you to know that the surgery route is not as fearsome as it may sound and has that benefit of knowing a greater analysis of your condition has been completed.  I would also add that my operation was conducted on the NHS and overall my experience was very positive.  The follow up care was good for the recovery although I won't lie, the ED treatment was poor and I got more help from the internet than I did from the ED specialists.  

I know when they discuss the operation there is a mind boggling amount of possible side effects, but keep in mind not all will definitely happen to you.  Indeed, if you read a few of the men's journeys on here you will see a lot of different experiences and many have been even better than mine.

At the end it's still your choice and I so hope your soon recovered and back enjoying life.

hi, i had ldr brachytherapy on its own  in feb this year, please have a look at my bio.  at present my psa is 0.9 with no issues anywhere else. You seem an ideal candidate for this if your psa is also below 10 and you dont have a large prostate