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Prostate removal not complete..

Martin2001
Online

I had me prostate removed on 28th August this year as i was told I had 2 localised cancer growths on my prostate.

The MRI imaging showed it to be wholly internal to the prostate and no further spread was evident.

On having my 8 week review with the consultant, he informed me that the cancel was not wholly contained withing the prostate and it had in fact broken out of the shell of the prostate.and as such I will still have cancel cells within me.

I was shocked by this news as I went in to the appointment believing I was going to get the all clear, but now I am in limbo.

I am to be monitored every 2 months for PSA markers and if they show a rise, then action will be taken.

But what I now want to know after having had time to digest the information is...

1: why is radio therapy / chemo therapy not an option to kill the cells that are left?

2: Am I just waiting for the cells to attach somewhere/anywhere else in my body and start multiplying again?

3: is this a common outcome from radical prostatectomy?

4: is there a % figure we can assign to the likely-hood of getting further cancer now?

5: should I be worried?

Any thoughts/comment greatly received.

Thanks

Martin

  • Hi Martin 2001 and thank you for your post.

    I am sorry to read about your recent prostate cancer diagnosis.

    I understand the news that the cancer was not wholly contained was a shock,  and it’s normal to feel worried. After surgery, sometimes cancer cells can still be left behind if the cancer had started to move outside the prostate. That’s why your doctor will check your PSA regularly.

    Monitoring is a form of treatment known as watch and wait or Active Surveillance. This is used when you have cancer but do not require treatment straight away.

    The PSA tests help catch any changes early so treatment can start quickly if needed.

    Radiotherapy or chemotherapy is not always used straight away because we don’t know yet if the cells will grow. These treatments have side effects, so doctors wait to see if they are needed.

    Cancer treats everyone individually therefore everyone’s cancer journey can be different. Maybe you could speak to your hospital specialist who knows more about your situation and maybe able to answer some of your questions in more detail.

    Please get back to us if you need any more information or support

    It might help to talk things through with one of our nurses on the helpline. You can call for free on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

    Kind regards

    Tina

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