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Pre diagnosis function considerations

Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Mar 18 12:22pm | Replies (11)

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Profile picture for psychometric @psychometric

I faced a similar decision last year at age 50. PSA 6.68, 3+4 in 6/12 cores, negative PSMA, 0.56 decipher. I really wanted SBRT and took a genetic test (can't remember the name) that showed I wasn't predisposed to adverse effects from short- or long-course radiation treatments. However, two local Radiation Oncologists recommended against SBRT/CyberKnife because they thought it would exacerbate my existing urinary issues - frequency (up multiple times per night), weak stream, and dribbling but no obvious blockage shown in a cystoscopy. I went to MD Anderson for a third opinion - hoping they could do MRI-guided short-course radiation - but their team recommended surgery only and would not even do long-course radiation due to concerns with my existing urinary issues and long-term side effects from radiation. The long-term effects may be less of a concern for you at 65 but have you asked specifically about radiation worsening your existing urinary issues? That was not something I'd really even considered when initially weighing my options.

I ended up have surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in June and have been pleased with the results in terms of speedy recovery, including immediate continence.

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Replies to "I faced a similar decision last year at age 50. PSA 6.68, 3+4 in 6/12 cores,..."

@psychometric
Thank you, your feedback is helpful. I have seen only a few posts mentioning this here. Its good your Drs were on the level. Glad things are on the mend timely for you.

@psychometric
Did the urgency requiring you to get up multiple times at night go away after the surgery? Do you think this is because you couldn’t empty your bladder so it kept filling up giving you the urgency?

Has any doctor discussed what caused the problem initially. You would think that if there is no blockage in the prostate then removing, it wouldn’t change the urgency problem.