Hi Mcad, and welcome, sorry you have prostate cancer, but as you say it's caught early and contained in the prostate, which is very good news, as is being offered active surveillance. This implies your tumour is benign and slow growing, giving you time to weigh up your options, they all have their plusses and minuses, I'm sorry but it really is a decision for you, I know guys who have been on active surveillance over 15 years, showing no symptoms, or needing any treatment, there re 3 types of radiotherapy, standard EBRT 20 sessions, brachytherapy radioactive seeds are implanted in the prostate, minimal side effects but only done on low risk cancer, and SABR a much more focussed radiotherapy treatment often over 6 sessions, a higher dose per session but much less overall and fewer side effects, not my area surgery, but things to know and ask, your surgeon will almost always recommend surgery, find out how experienced they are, ask them how many nerves will be spared, especially the pudendal nerve if you are sexually active. I had SBRT 20 sessions as my cancer had spread to 5 organs and 8 lymph nodes, along side hormone therapy, my cancer is now, 30 months later, is only detectable in 1 lymph node, best wishes.

Eddie

Hi, I'm 57 and had confirmation of my diagnosis 5 days ago. Pretty much like yourself in complete shock.Surgeon recommended either doing nothing -ie active surveillance or removal of the prostate. 

Two extremes if you think about it. I see the Oncologist on Tuesday, so will see what they suggest. 

In the meantime I have found some less invasive options such as "The Nanno knife" and High Intensity Sound Therapy.

Apart from less invasive the odds on the side effects are much better then the tradional methods.

Not everyone will "qualify" for this treatment - but it's worth having a look.

Be strong, 

You can beat this.

Hi Mack-Mack, best wishes for Tuesday,

Eddie 

Thank you  

To be fair,, Im more terrified of the treatments and there side effects then I am of the actual cancer.

Hence Looking at the treatments offered as Focal Therapy. I believe its a relativly new form of treatment.

My Urologist and his team, do not offer this as an alternative. I do need to get the Oncologists view. 

I need to know where I stand, and hopefully they can refer me to a consultant that I have found on google. 

Not sure how ethical it is to put Dr/ consultant names on the chat group. 

At this stage I am lucky enoughe to have the option of monitoring. So no need to rush into a decision.

Have a great day

Hi, urology only offer surgery and hormone therapy as a rule, and if even the surgeon is recommending active surveillance AS, your cancer has been caught very early and maybe  AS, could be all you ever need, HIFU, SBRT and Brachytherapy may be options for you to consider. 

Eddie 

Hey Mack-Mack, 

It's nice of you to bring it up and you guessed well, we do not allow doctor, consultant names or hospital names to be shared on our forum in order to protect privacy and anonymity. 

Many thanks for your understanding, 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator