Three weeks of radiation is below just about any combination I’ve heard of. Some people get SBRT To the prostate, and then a few weeks of radiation to the prostate bed, But it’s usually five or six weeks.
You want to find out how many weeks he’s talking about and if it’s only one type of radiation, IMRT?
If your liver score is not great, then they will be testing it regularly, i’ve had mine tested weekly for years. There are drugs, other than biclutamide That you may have to go on that can be hard on the liver.
If you do not have your Gleason score, contact your doctor and ask what it is. That is very important information About the aggressiveness of your cancer.
Did you get a decipher test? Once you have cancer proven you want that test to find out how likely it is to come back soon and be aggressive.
Also stage T3B, Gleason 8. Chose radiation because the stage indicated cancer cells outside the prostate, so why suffer through surgery when I would need radiation anyway.
Three weeks of radiation is below just about any combination I’ve heard of. Some people get SBRT To the prostate, and then a few weeks of radiation to the prostate bed, But it’s usually five or six weeks.
You want to find out how many weeks he’s talking about and if it’s only one type of radiation, IMRT?
If your liver score is not great, then they will be testing it regularly, i’ve had mine tested weekly for years. There are drugs, other than biclutamide That you may have to go on that can be hard on the liver.
If you do not have your Gleason score, contact your doctor and ask what it is. That is very important information About the aggressiveness of your cancer.
Did you get a decipher test? Once you have cancer proven you want that test to find out how likely it is to come back soon and be aggressive.
Cannot agree more emphatically with what jeffmarc has advised. Nowhere in your posts do you mention any kind of surgical consultation - you only question if it can be done afterwards.
You need to have all that info Jeff mentioned and THEN you have to sit down with a highly experienced surgeon and get the pros and cons.
I would also recommend a radiation consult from a DIFFERENT RO. The 3 week span seems odd- unless it is high intensity brachytherapy (seeds) followed by 5 sessions of SBRT; that could take a total of three weeks when weekends are factored in.
In any case, do NOT rush into anything….educate yourself, ask questions, come to this forum as well, and only then can your decision be made. Do not let any one DR. Tell you what to do, since most of the time they will steer you in the direction of their own specialty.
I'm 56yo now.
I was trying to get some answers from the specialist but no luck yet.
Like can I have the removal of the prostate if unsuccessful.
Just started taking meds before they do the radiation
54 here, sorry to welcome you to this unfortunate club but at least you are among friends!
From my understanding after talking to multiple docs in multiple disciplines, our age often prompts removal before radiation because radiation is a back-up plan. If you do radiation first then any surgery after is salvage surgery where they scrape out the gel like substance that used to be your prostate before radiation. So you can, but the way every doctor put it to me: "there are long term effects of radiation that won't necessarily manifest in a 65+ year old man but at your age you will likely see them which is why it's recommended you remove it first and go with additional treatments later if needed as a backup to the primary treatment".
I make no recommendations, only the information given to me that I took to heart. For me, I'm opting for removal because then they can fully grade the cancer and know precisely what we are dealing with and it gives me several more treatment options based on that data.
I had T3b, Gleason 9. Had RALP on September 16. Now PSA undetectable but am still going to get radiation/ADT.
THIS IS MY OPINION AND MY TAKE: I am 71. I was given the choice of either radiation or RALP. I chose RALP because my surgeon and radiation oncologist told me that if I have radiation and it doesn't get it all, I cannot have radiation again. Since my PC was already outside the gland in the ducts and one set of nerves along with a lymph node, I chose surgery because the chance of it reoccurring *in my case* is very, very high, according to the surgeon and the radiation oncologist.
I am not sorry I chose the RALP. It is now Dec. 18, basically 3 months after surgery, and I am continent, can have vacuum pump-assisted erections, can achieve orgasm, and am living a good life. I will start my ADT/radiation late next month. I have another PSA test scheduled soon.
You need to be your own best advocate. Read, ask, and YOU plot your future. If the doctor you have won't listen to you or gives you flippant answers, get another doctor. Again, you have a long life ahead of you, and YOU must advocate for yourself.
I had T3b, Gleason 9. Had RALP on September 16. Now PSA undetectable but am still going to get radiation/ADT.
THIS IS MY OPINION AND MY TAKE: I am 71. I was given the choice of either radiation or RALP. I chose RALP because my surgeon and radiation oncologist told me that if I have radiation and it doesn't get it all, I cannot have radiation again. Since my PC was already outside the gland in the ducts and one set of nerves along with a lymph node, I chose surgery because the chance of it reoccurring *in my case* is very, very high, according to the surgeon and the radiation oncologist.
I am not sorry I chose the RALP. It is now Dec. 18, basically 3 months after surgery, and I am continent, can have vacuum pump-assisted erections, can achieve orgasm, and am living a good life. I will start my ADT/radiation late next month. I have another PSA test scheduled soon.
You need to be your own best advocate. Read, ask, and YOU plot your future. If the doctor you have won't listen to you or gives you flippant answers, get another doctor. Again, you have a long life ahead of you, and YOU must advocate for yourself.
Wow that is excellent advice.
My Dr is either busy or doesn't want to answer. Expect it's a bit of both.
It is hard to get in to see someone else. It took almost 4 months to get into this on.
I'll do my best to talk with the radiation oncologists.
I expect the medical industry is under pressure here in Tasmania.
54 here, sorry to welcome you to this unfortunate club but at least you are among friends!
From my understanding after talking to multiple docs in multiple disciplines, our age often prompts removal before radiation because radiation is a back-up plan. If you do radiation first then any surgery after is salvage surgery where they scrape out the gel like substance that used to be your prostate before radiation. So you can, but the way every doctor put it to me: "there are long term effects of radiation that won't necessarily manifest in a 65+ year old man but at your age you will likely see them which is why it's recommended you remove it first and go with additional treatments later if needed as a backup to the primary treatment".
I make no recommendations, only the information given to me that I took to heart. For me, I'm opting for removal because then they can fully grade the cancer and know precisely what we are dealing with and it gives me several more treatment options based on that data.
What you have described is how I want to move forward.
Only problem is it's hard to get the specialist to answer questions. He could be inexperienced or just too busy.
My niece lives in Holland and her husband had surgery at 45yo. I'm trying to find out what stage he had.
I have a lot of male cousins but apparently I'm the only one who has this. Was trying to get a relative's advice.
That probably won't help even if I had someone if I didn't have the medical options here in Tasmania
Cannot agree more emphatically with what jeffmarc has advised. Nowhere in your posts do you mention any kind of surgical consultation - you only question if it can be done afterwards.
You need to have all that info Jeff mentioned and THEN you have to sit down with a highly experienced surgeon and get the pros and cons.
I would also recommend a radiation consult from a DIFFERENT RO. The 3 week span seems odd- unless it is high intensity brachytherapy (seeds) followed by 5 sessions of SBRT; that could take a total of three weeks when weekends are factored in.
In any case, do NOT rush into anything….educate yourself, ask questions, come to this forum as well, and only then can your decision be made. Do not let any one DR. Tell you what to do, since most of the time they will steer you in the direction of their own specialty.
ATM I may not have other options.
It's been hard to get the specialist onboard.
Yes I'm trying to get as much information as possible.
Considering if I can travel overseas. I know a 45yo that had surgery and traveled from Holland to Germany to get help. I'm in Tasmania and the medical industry seems to be busy. This doesn't help.
ATM I may not have other options.
It's been hard to get the specialist onboard.
Yes I'm trying to get as much information as possible.
Considering if I can travel overseas. I know a 45yo that had surgery and traveled from Holland to Germany to get help. I'm in Tasmania and the medical industry seems to be busy. This doesn't help.
That’s so unfortunate that your options are so limited - I mistakenly thought that Australia would be brimming with specialists. Do they practice socialized or government sponsored health care? If so there are always private doctors who cater to those who desire a higher standard of care - or at least a more attentive care provider.
I don’t know your financial situation so I can’t really give you a direction on this. I just know that sometimes paying out of pocket gets you a lot closer to what you need. Best of luck to you.
Phil
Three weeks of radiation is below just about any combination I’ve heard of. Some people get SBRT To the prostate, and then a few weeks of radiation to the prostate bed, But it’s usually five or six weeks.
You want to find out how many weeks he’s talking about and if it’s only one type of radiation, IMRT?
If your liver score is not great, then they will be testing it regularly, i’ve had mine tested weekly for years. There are drugs, other than biclutamide That you may have to go on that can be hard on the liver.
If you do not have your Gleason score, contact your doctor and ask what it is. That is very important information About the aggressiveness of your cancer.
Did you get a decipher test? Once you have cancer proven you want that test to find out how likely it is to come back soon and be aggressive.
I am learning.
I'll try to find out the Gleason score.
I had a biopsy that I think gave me the T3b outcome.
I'm considering traveling overseas as the medical industry here seems swamped.
I am getting a lot of good advice here. It is starting to confirm my wondering if surgery is the best option for me.
Im also think if I stay in Tasmania I may not be able to find another specialist.
Connect
Connect
Like
Helpful
Hug
Three weeks of radiation is below just about any combination I’ve heard of. Some people get SBRT To the prostate, and then a few weeks of radiation to the prostate bed, But it’s usually five or six weeks.
You want to find out how many weeks he’s talking about and if it’s only one type of radiation, IMRT?
If your liver score is not great, then they will be testing it regularly, i’ve had mine tested weekly for years. There are drugs, other than biclutamide That you may have to go on that can be hard on the liver.
If you do not have your Gleason score, contact your doctor and ask what it is. That is very important information About the aggressiveness of your cancer.
Did you get a decipher test? Once you have cancer proven you want that test to find out how likely it is to come back soon and be aggressive.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsAlso stage T3B, Gleason 8. Chose radiation because the stage indicated cancer cells outside the prostate, so why suffer through surgery when I would need radiation anyway.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionCannot agree more emphatically with what jeffmarc has advised. Nowhere in your posts do you mention any kind of surgical consultation - you only question if it can be done afterwards.
You need to have all that info Jeff mentioned and THEN you have to sit down with a highly experienced surgeon and get the pros and cons.
I would also recommend a radiation consult from a DIFFERENT RO. The 3 week span seems odd- unless it is high intensity brachytherapy (seeds) followed by 5 sessions of SBRT; that could take a total of three weeks when weekends are factored in.
In any case, do NOT rush into anything….educate yourself, ask questions, come to this forum as well, and only then can your decision be made. Do not let any one DR. Tell you what to do, since most of the time they will steer you in the direction of their own specialty.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions54 here, sorry to welcome you to this unfortunate club but at least you are among friends!
From my understanding after talking to multiple docs in multiple disciplines, our age often prompts removal before radiation because radiation is a back-up plan. If you do radiation first then any surgery after is salvage surgery where they scrape out the gel like substance that used to be your prostate before radiation. So you can, but the way every doctor put it to me: "there are long term effects of radiation that won't necessarily manifest in a 65+ year old man but at your age you will likely see them which is why it's recommended you remove it first and go with additional treatments later if needed as a backup to the primary treatment".
I make no recommendations, only the information given to me that I took to heart. For me, I'm opting for removal because then they can fully grade the cancer and know precisely what we are dealing with and it gives me several more treatment options based on that data.
I had T3b, Gleason 9. Had RALP on September 16. Now PSA undetectable but am still going to get radiation/ADT.
THIS IS MY OPINION AND MY TAKE: I am 71. I was given the choice of either radiation or RALP. I chose RALP because my surgeon and radiation oncologist told me that if I have radiation and it doesn't get it all, I cannot have radiation again. Since my PC was already outside the gland in the ducts and one set of nerves along with a lymph node, I chose surgery because the chance of it reoccurring *in my case* is very, very high, according to the surgeon and the radiation oncologist.
I am not sorry I chose the RALP. It is now Dec. 18, basically 3 months after surgery, and I am continent, can have vacuum pump-assisted erections, can achieve orgasm, and am living a good life. I will start my ADT/radiation late next month. I have another PSA test scheduled soon.
You need to be your own best advocate. Read, ask, and YOU plot your future. If the doctor you have won't listen to you or gives you flippant answers, get another doctor. Again, you have a long life ahead of you, and YOU must advocate for yourself.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsWow that is excellent advice.
My Dr is either busy or doesn't want to answer. Expect it's a bit of both.
It is hard to get in to see someone else. It took almost 4 months to get into this on.
I'll do my best to talk with the radiation oncologists.
I expect the medical industry is under pressure here in Tasmania.
What you have described is how I want to move forward.
Only problem is it's hard to get the specialist to answer questions. He could be inexperienced or just too busy.
My niece lives in Holland and her husband had surgery at 45yo. I'm trying to find out what stage he had.
I have a lot of male cousins but apparently I'm the only one who has this. Was trying to get a relative's advice.
That probably won't help even if I had someone if I didn't have the medical options here in Tasmania
ATM I may not have other options.
It's been hard to get the specialist onboard.
Yes I'm trying to get as much information as possible.
Considering if I can travel overseas. I know a 45yo that had surgery and traveled from Holland to Germany to get help. I'm in Tasmania and the medical industry seems to be busy. This doesn't help.
Thank mate for taking the time.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThat’s so unfortunate that your options are so limited - I mistakenly thought that Australia would be brimming with specialists. Do they practice socialized or government sponsored health care? If so there are always private doctors who cater to those who desire a higher standard of care - or at least a more attentive care provider.
I don’t know your financial situation so I can’t really give you a direction on this. I just know that sometimes paying out of pocket gets you a lot closer to what you need. Best of luck to you.
Phil
I am learning.
I'll try to find out the Gleason score.
I had a biopsy that I think gave me the T3b outcome.
I'm considering traveling overseas as the medical industry here seems swamped.
I am getting a lot of good advice here. It is starting to confirm my wondering if surgery is the best option for me.
Im also think if I stay in Tasmania I may not be able to find another specialist.