For us choice was simple, my husband always preferred surgery idea even during AS period. When the time came for treatment both his urologist and RO said that RP could give him a better result since he had cribriform and IDC found in his last biopsy. My husband also liked the idea of having a second treatment available if needed (if there is a recurrence). Once you have radiation you can not radiate the same spot twice and having surgery after radiation is very hard task. It is rarely done and than side effects are much more pronounced than with initial RP.

Yes- as others said the age is very importance factor. For younger patients RP is preferable, while for older than 70 or more RT might be more suitable depending of general fitness and life expectancy.

Regarding side effects, they are the same on the long run, and even during RT people can get cystitis , proctitis, diarrhea, urethral constriction etc. Some people do not have any of those during RT and also some people do not have any incontinence nor ED after RP recovery period.

I do not quite get what you were referring to when you mentioned "pulling back my member" since for my husband nothing was pulled back lol - same look, same length , same everything 🤷‍♀️ .

Wishing you the best of luck with whatever you choose for you initial treatment 🍀🍀🍀 !