Anyone had a prostatectomy after age 70? Recommended or not?

Well I am 75 and scheduled for surgery on the 22nd of this month. Keeping my fingers crossed.

I had RALP at age 51 after two radiation oncologists at Centers of Excellence told me I should go that route (the surgeons agreed). But they also said they'd have recommended radiation were I maybe 15-20 years older and the concern over delayed onset side effects or secondary cancers were much less of a factor.

I'm genuinely curious what your BIL's rationale is for pursuing surgery at ~75 (or what the previous commenter's rationale is). I wouldn't necessarily recommend outright against RALP, but the recovery was not easy even in my early 50s and if I were giving advice to a septuagenarian friend or relative, I'd most likely nudge them towards radiation. There's no meaningful difference in cancer-related outcomes and the recovery and side effect profile for radiotherapy would seem far more manageable.

@notpetecrowarmstrong

It is all very individual.
My husband was 69 (turned 70 just 2 mos later) and he recovered in no time. Had zero pain post op, was working from home week 2 and by week 3 I had hard time keeping him from exercising or carrying heavy things. However, he was very fit man before surgery with zero comorbidities of any kind, active in sports (skiing, tennis, kite-surfing) and working full time. He was normal weight and only medication that he was on was the Lipoitor.

There are men who are obese at 50, with high PB, pre diabetes and are sedentary - they will have much harder recovery than very fit 70 year old.
From our experience I would never discourage 70year old patient from having RP IF that person is super fit and active and has no comorbidities.

I had my RALRP at age 75 & it was a "nothing burger". My surgeon also recommended against the surgery due to age, but I wasn't having any of it. Easier than the dental cleaning I just had today. No pain then or later. No incontinence, but that depends on a number of factors.

Plus, one visit versus dozens.

I had mine just before turning 71. My Doctor told me that patients in very good health are considered by most surgeons for surgery with a cut off being 75 by most. Looking back recovery was no worse than a hernia surgery or gallbladder and many patients in their 70’s get those. I was released from the hospital the same day of my surgery and sent home.

For the negative side read divejer Not Good News after Prostate Biopsy.
Can be very good or very bad outcomes.

My neighbor down the street had ralp at 75 and after 1 month he is back to normal doesn't need pads or anything. I'm suppose to have surgery in the middle of February but I'm also on the cancelation list. I just turned 69 and am extremely active so hopefully that will benefit me I will do what it takes to regain urinary control. I was strongly considering radiation sbrt but my decipher score came in high and decided on ralp.

If choosing a prostatectomy, consider getting at a clinic with single port DaVinci robots and surgeon experienced with single port surgeries. The recovery time is especially less for people over 70 years of age.

In ‘22, I had RALP at age 72. My Urologist prescribed Pelvic Floor PT before surgery. I did about 4 weeks prior and 4-6 weeks after. I had zero pain, discomfort of course, and zero incontinence. Four plus years later I am going through life as nothing happened.

My research showed that radiation is possible after RALP, but, as radiation does damage some tissue, surgery after radiation may not be possible.

@ginger38314 Get an Rx from your doctor for Pelvic Floor PT. Then find a clinic with a DPT. I did 4 weeks PT before surgery and 4-6 more afterwards. I was 72 at this time, still going strong today.

Remember that after the surgery, likely you will just feel like laying around, I did. This is the time to get up and get moving. Get in the sunshine, go walking, go cycling, do gardening, whatever makes you happy.