Connect
← Return to prostatectomy vs radiation?
Discussion
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Jul 17 7:48pm | Replies (52)
Comment receiving replies
71 had RARP
surgery is no walk in the park and incontinence is horrible. However I would do it again give what I and my team believe offers a better chance of survival. If a recurrence happens I can try radiation At least the side effects are here and now and luckily subsiding (incontinence and ED)
I keep hearing from those that had radiation that side effects crept up over time
not terribly scientific however in my case the chief of urology at a large teaching hospital recomended RARP over everything else
Replies to "71 had RARP surgery is no walk in the park and incontinence is horrible. However I..."
Connect
@edinmaryland
It has to be a personal decision. I would say also after exploring all pros and cons of each.
RP is a major medical procedure.
Radiation when being done had no pain. There is no recovery from surgery, etc. I had radiation 30 rounds of protron radiation. Other than the time to do the treatments was really nothing to deal with. I did have some minor side affects about 1 month in and about a year later. But they were minor and my R/O and PCP did not have to prescribe any medications for it.
I was 76 when I had radiation. I am 78 now. A major surgery at that age carries a much higher risk than someone younger. So if I was younger when I got PC say in my 50s I probably would chose RP.
Having said that I go to Mayo Jacksonville. I get a news letter and one of the recent articles is a research going on with a protein that can attack and kill the prostate cells only and leave regular cells alone. It would be a great breakthrough for PC patients if clinical trials are successful. So many new treatments coming that will drastically change the present treatments.