Anyone opted for radiation for localized high risk cancer under 55?

I can only share what I was told by nine different doctors across specialties: at 54 (my age), surgery will be recommended over radiation for a number of reasons:

• I'll be more likely to see problems from radiation in my life since many of those problems, such as new cancers, bladder problems, bowel problems and stomach problems, can take as long as 15-20 years to manifest.

• I'm able to recovery from surgery faster

• Radiation can still be an option after surgery if it comes back

• Removal allows a full analysis of the gland to determine how much cancer you really have and how bad it really is, it's the only way to know that

The moral of the story being that I was never recommended radiation at this age. It was given as an option, and all the radiation oncologists I talked to say they have guys my age getting radiation but it's rare because most doctors say not to and that the reason that younger guys go this path is because they fear the side effects of RARP, such as ED and incontinence and loss of ejaculate (the the last of which is a guaranteed side effect). I have neither ED nor incontinence.

Now you mention high risk, what is your Gleason and Decipher scores? I would think they still would want to take the prostate, even if they intend to zap you as soon as you are healed, but I don't know for certain.

Make of that what you will, but consider all the facts and talk to experts.

My experience with dictors has been the same as yours. All uroligists very strongly recomend RARP. The radiologists tell me both approaches have similar results and that my choice should focus on the side effects.

I was just wondering if anyone in the younger age group actually to the RTmax route. Problem is that my PCP said she cannot clear me for surgery unlessI can lower my potassium levels.

I am G8, Decipher 0.2, 50% of cores positive but most only with 10% volume (including the two 4+4). One 60% volume 4+3 core.

Still prostate confined according to imaging. Some doctors stage me T1c, others T2c.

There’s something off with potassium levels these days. Both my wife and I have these super high levels - so much so that she was referred to a kidney specialist who did extensive testing and found everything fine.
Someone on the forum - maybe @scottbeammeup ?. that the tourniquet used in the blood draw may damage the RBC’s, cause them to burst and release K+ ?
Hope they read this and straighten me out!
Phil

The frustrating thing is that all the foods they recommend you seitch to because of the cancer are high in potassium: Avocado, Tomatos, Nuts, Dark Chocolate…

Yes, totally; we did all that avoidance and it was still high. My wife had to pee into a funnel attached to a container for 24 hrs to analyze the kidney function; it was perfect!
You may need to get cleared by a nephrologist in order to proceed. Good Luck!
Phil

How high was your score, if I may ask. Mine is 5.4.

5.8

Just had bloodwork at 6:30AM. I asked the phlebotomist about the tourniquet theory and she said she had never heard that before. Honestly, the rubber elastic didn’t seem tight at all.
Phil

I hope that dietary changes will do. But I start wondering what I can actually eat…

I am also approaching nine doctors. The urologist are 100% on surgery to the point that they think radiation would be madness. The radiologists tell me both are good options. The oncologist is slightly bent towards radiation. The PCRI guy favoring radiation.

I am GS8 in two small volume cores. My Decipher is 0.2.

Glad to hear that tou do not have any ED or incontinence. I believe you said somewhere that you had epe. Did they do partial or full nerve sparing?