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Decision Time about prostate cancer treatment - Should I have radiotherapy or surgery? Concerned about the side effects from both.

Bobble_Ball
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Hi, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer 7.5 years ago and been on active surveillance since.

Yesterday , I was informed the time has come too decide whether to opt for radiotherapy or surgery.

I'm confused because of the list of side effects or problems that may occur with either option. I don't want to end up wearing a bag for the rest of my hopefully long life but I also don't want too wear a nappy either after surgery.

However radiotherapy concerns me as I'm unsure if the cancer could come back and end up going through this again.

Can anyone help with their recovery stories please!

Thanks

Parents
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    Hi Bobble. 

    Removal of the prostate sounds a bit drastic to me, considering there are lots of medications for treating prostate cancer today.

    I'm having prostate cancer treatment at the moment. Had my last radiotherapy today.

    Just need to ask some questions to help you. What is your current PSA reading, has your cancer spread outside of the prostate and have you had a biopsy ?

    Regards

    Paul

  • Offline in reply to Prostate-Paul

    Been on Active Surveillance for 7.5 years and just had mri and biopsy.  PSA is 11 and there are leasions now present, Cancer appears to be localised in right side of prostate.  

    I've got meetings soon with oncology team to discuss way forward. 

Reply Children
  • Offline in reply to Bobble_Ball

    From what you have told me, the cancer has not spread outside of the prostate, that is great news for you. Your body produces testosterone and that feeds the cancer. Your cancer is at a very early stage and is treatable. I've spoken to lots of guys at the radiotherapy unit and all of them are having the same treatment apart from myself as my cancer has spread. The usual procedure for cancer that hasn't spread is, Zoladex implant that is injected into your stomach once every 3 months by a nurse at your GP surgery. That blocks the testosterone feeding the cancer. You should find your PSA will dop dramatically, as low as 0. something. They will then recommend radiotherapy.

    Radiotherapy is a piece of cake. It doesn't hurt at all. They will put 3 tattoo dots on you. Those dots are used to line up the beam so it hits your prostate.

    As for me, my PSA was 234, yes 234, today it's 0.02. The cancer has spread to my lymph nodes in my pelvic area and chest bone. I'm having medication to stow the cancer right down and stop it from spreading. I have a blood test every month to monitor the PSA

    Best of luck and please let me know how you get on with the consultant.

    Regards

    Paul   

  • Offline in reply to Prostate-Paul

    Thanks for that Paul. Hope your treatment works.

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