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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

  • Hello Bobble_Ball and welcome to the Cancer Chat community.

    I noticed you have a rather tricky decision to make about treatment and that you're having concerns about the possible side effects from both. It's always hard to make a choice but I hope this information we have about surgery for prostate cancer and radiotherapy will help you figure out what's best for you.

    Hopefully some of our members who have also found themselves in this unenviable position will share their experiences and advice with you soon, but if it would help to talk things through with one of our cancer nurses they're available on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m. With their knowledge and insight they will do all they can to support you and address any other questions or concerns you may have about these treatments.

    I hope this helps Bobble_Ball and that all goes well with your treatment.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline

    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. 

  • Offline

    Hello Bobble -Ball,

    Sounds so obvious to point out when you are faced deciding between rwo horrible choices, but it will be the one only you can make and live with thereafter. Speaking from experience and from a distance that will be the one you can accept and learn to live with.

    Any treatment always leaves a bill to be paid afterwards when doing nothing no longer becomes an option, but when you set the benefits against the subsequent disadvantages  it always seems easier to accept.

    In my case bowel and liver surgery, ten years on l co-exist with my after effects, but they serve to remind me how lucky we both are to be able to go forward into the next new day

    Hope it works out well for you as well,

    David

  • 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   

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