What would you do differently?

Yesterday I had the PSMA PET scan and the results were actually better than I had feared. The cancer is localized to the prostate so no chemo needed, prostatectomy is optional and EBRT is the best selection going forward. Because of the G10 score there was a strong possibility of still having the radiation therapy if I had chosen a prostatectomy so just going with the EBRT + ADT makes the best sense and less invasive also. The only thing I am on the fence on is the ADT at this point as there are several options. Thanks for all the advice and comments!

@barnett1766

Good news on the PSMA scan.

Did you discuss HDR brachytherapy boost as part of your treatment?

External Radiation, HDR boost, and ADT should have about the lowest percentage of BCR in 10 years.
https://www.prostatecancerfree.org/compare-prostate-cancer-treatments-high-risk/
Best Wishes.

I would have listened to my friends and not my doctor. For years friends said my PSA of around 4.5 to 5.6 was high and that I should see a urologist. My PCP and his hospital system had charts which clearly stated that PSA levels at or below 5.6 were safe. When my PSA went from 5.6 to 9.6 my PCP sent me to a urologist. The urologist was great. After an MRI, prostate biopsy and PET scan my cancer was clearly identified as 4+3=7 Gleason, with 17 out of 20 biopsy cores being cancerous and the beginning of Orgovyx.

After having a visit to the radiation oncologist something told me to look at other options. That’s when I found the TULSA PRO procedure. Today is in fact my one week anniversary of the procedure and I am eagerly awaiting the removal of my catheter next Friday.

I just wonder had I listened to my friends and not my PCP’s hospital system would my cancer been easier to address. By the way, about 4 months after receiving my cancer diagnosis my PCP’s hospital system changed their recommendation on the level of “safe” PSA to 4.5😩.

Things happen in life for a reason many of which we don’t understand.

I am not sure I would do anything differently. My life was great before August of 2025. Retired early, 2009, no debt, great place in the woods on the river. Very fit and healthy. Then a PSA of 66 last August, found because of a blood clot in my arm. It has been a long 8 months of scans, biopsy, appointments, Orgovyx and Zytiga the last 2 months, now Xgeva starting in May. Hours spent researching PCa, trying to understand the disease. Because of my stage4 metastatic condition I skipped right over prostate removal, radiation and all the possible side effects. I still dont have any symptoms from the PCa, just some from the ADT. I am 72 now and am hoping to get to 80 with the drugs I am taking and new ones that I will take in the future. So in my case, ignorance was bliss, even though the black spider was spinning its web inside me I had not a clue....how easy life was back then...lol....Now its appts every month, waiting on the numbers, thinking about cancer all the time. I might be getting close to the point where I am going to move on and get busy living like I dont have cancer. I am still pretty fit but to be honest, I have gained some weight so the first thing I am going to work on is getting my washboard abs back....lol...well, maybe just lose the fat hiding them. It is something I can control when there are so many things I cant. OCD much? Laughing at myself!