Prostate cancer: What treatments did you choose? Results?

Assad, I would agree with your choice but please read on. Even though the biopsy may seem pretty conclusive you may suggest another biopsy. How many samples did the biopsy include and also how many had a Gleason score above 5? If you do have the robotic surgery insure your surgeon has performed large amount of this type of surgery, ie, at least greater than 300. I had this surgery better than 10 years ago and I'm sure there have be some refinements in the process. The surgery is relatively quick and recovery involves no major pain or long rehab. You should be feeling comfortable within a a week of surgery. Following up with your Doctor will give you guidance as to any additional treatment that may be necessary, ie radiation, chemo or other. My surgery, seemed to be marginally successful as I do have some residual microscopic cancer but it has been managed satisfactorily. Two or three of my biopsy samples were in the 8 range. I did have radiation and 10 chemo treatments shortly after surgery. I am currently on hormone treatment for last three years and my PSA has been staying under one and had never went above 6-7 since surgery. I was 68 when I had my surgery. Currently in good shape and really no limitations. Only very minor incontinence and ED has taken over especially since starting hormone treatments. Review the comments you receive from others and hopefully you will arrive at a very positive decision. My best to you for a full recovery. Alan

Good morning, I had 12 biopsy samples taken. 8 were positive. PSA of 16.Gleason 7 (4+3). My urologist deemed it Stage 1 and wanted to operate immediately. Like you, I was bombarded with information. I then went to Moffitt Cancer Center with all my results. My first appointment was with a urologist (surgeon). He reviewed all the test results and said it was inoperable because it had spread. It was actually Stage 3. He said the operation would have to be followed by radiation and that was not ideal - radiating an area that was healing from surgery. I went on androgen deprivation therapy with high dose brachytherapy and 25 external beam radiation treatments. My suggestion is to go to a nationally recognized comprehensive cancer center for a second opinion. In my experience they did what was right for me. A urologist is a surgeon. If all you have is a hammer - everything looks like a nail. I am happy with the results. Hormone therapy has side effects but I am working through those. Best of luck to you.

Dmadi,
Very wise choice. The urologist I went to had done at least three biopsies and found nothing. Finally, after a bout with urine retention he decided he was going to remove the prostate by surgery (for and enlarged prostate?). Remember he had three negative biopsies. When he did the biopsies the nurse asked if he was going to numb the area as other doctors did. His reply "No a lot of trouble." It all went back, as I found out later, when he and I had an argument over treatment of a family member, that I thought was water over the dam. Make long story short I too had second opinion with urologist at clinic about 120 miles from home. He did find cancer and sent me to the Cancer Institute a the clinic.
I am so glad I went for second opinion and would urge all to do the same.

I strongly urge you to read Robert Marckini's book (second edition) "You Can Beat Prostate Cancer and You Don't Need Surgery to Do It." Amazon link is here https://www.amazon.com/Beat-Prostate-Cancer-Dont-Surgery/dp/1734202203/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Robert+Marckini&qid=1602681064&s=books&sr=1-1
It is the most comprehensive guide to all your options and is a Godsend to all us PC patients. I am at Mayo Clinic in PHX now getting fine treatment.

Thanks Mr. Bill.

Good Morning Alan,
I sincerely appreciate your reply to my concerns. Urologist is my friend and he took 20 samples and found cancer cells only on left lobe of prostate. I talked to my general doctor and he recommended surgery as well.

I had cancer on the left side only as well. They remove the entire prostate anyway. The left side has nerves responsible for the erection process. I came through surgery with that ability still functioning. Your mileage may vary. Had I been diagnosed earlier, I might have escaped the surgery process. Do not hesitate to schedule surgery if the sexual function is important to you.

Hi Assad, your post took me back 2 years when I was given my diagnosis. My urologist met with me and gave me a book on treatments for prostrate cancer. Basically, the treatments fell into two categories, surgery and radiation. The author quoted a study that really stuck with me. It said that patients who got treatment at cancer centers had better results then those didn't. He stated that cancer centers may have more experienced doctors using the most current research to treat cancer. I chose to have treatment at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix using there proton beam radiation therapy. One of things that Mayo did that my urologist didn't mention was to do a thorough scan of my bones and organs to determine if the cancer had spread, which makes the treatment more difficult. They also put me on Antigen Deprivation Therapy for 18 months, since my Gleason score of 4+4 or 8. Checking research on treatments using ADT with radiation improves chances of successful treatment by 20% with Gleason scores that high.

So, I understand what you are going through, but getting advice from the most knowledgeable and experienced experts is critical to understand options and the full treatment protocols. By the way, since my treatment there has been research out on gene repair options for prostrate cancers that you might look into. It doesn't involve surgery nor radiation.

Best of luck.

Hello Wayne
I sincerely appreciate you detail information and your experience. As t said I’m bombarded with info I have tentatively scheduled for Nov 18 surgery, but definitely I’ll ask questions and recommendations that you brought up.
Thanks
Assad

Hello Stoney
I appreciate your reply and experience. Please let me know when you did surgery and what are the issues and concerns after surgery, I heard a lot about leaking. Did you do any radiation after surgery and what kind. I love to hear from you.
Many thanks
Assad