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Profile picture for survivor5280 @survivor5280

My diagnosis was similar to yours, just ten years younger. I was 3 + 4 and was going to be on active surveillance until they did the Decipher test that showed it to be aggressive and then had the surgery.

As you'll see me post repeatedly for the benefit of all those who, like me, only read about the doom and gloom of this procedure: I never had a single moment of ED or incontinence after RARP. Remember that most guys that stick around on the forums are still dealing with issues or are new. That represents a very small group of men as the vast majority are back to normal within 12-18 months (as in over 90%).

I would request a Decipher and if you aren't low risk then keep getting your tests. If you are in good health and decent shape you have a good chance of no negative side effects, if not then you should start getting into shape now so that if and/or when you have to go down this path that you give yourself that absolute best outcome possible.

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Replies to "My diagnosis was similar to yours, just ten years younger. I was 3 + 4 and..."

@survivor5280
I sure wish that the number of people that were back to normal was as large as you say, but unfortunately, it is not.

If someone has a Prostatectomy, The studies show a 16% to 46% 15-year cumulative incidence of BCR. The percentage risk is based on the risk factor of the surgery results. If someone has aggressive issues found in the prostate biopsy that can really raise the percentage chance of their having BCR.

Then there is radiation. Approximately 15–40% of men who undergo radiation therapy (RT) for prostate cancer develop biochemical recurrence (BCR) within 10–15 years. While some studies estimate the risk up to 50%, the rate heavily depends on pre-treatment risk factors, with studies showing 18% for low-risk, 24% for intermediate-risk, and 36% for high-risk patients over 15 years.