Radiation treatment first removes the use of a later surgery treatment but surgery treatment first preserves the use of radiation at a later time. Hence, more heavy duty treatments are available with surgery. Also, removal of the prostate permits the better examination of it to better determine the state of the cancer and better address the cancer treatment. Robo surgery requires one night in the hospital while radiation requires many trips for treatment ( this is relevant for men like me who live far from the treatment center). There are other difference between surgery and radiation but the above are the differences that persuaded me to have robo surgery and I am still pleased with this decision. The surgery and recovery were painless and fast.