Connect
← Return to 3rd opinion: How many opinions did you get for prostate cancer?
Discussion
3rd opinion: How many opinions did you get for prostate cancer?
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: May 27, 2023 | Replies (42)Comment receiving replies
My husband has Gleason 8 with seminal invasion right, and a mild lymph node local (Just got PSMA back). He has to decide about radiation vs surgery also. He's leaning toward radiation. He had previously had throat cancer, and he has some heart issues... so surgery scares us. But your not is encouraging if results are the same. He is probably considered stage 4A (need to confirm with doc next week)
Can I ask about any side effects of radiation? Did you need to do hormone treatement, or chemo? Did you need to have markers surgically put in prior to radiation?
Thank you!!
Replies to "My husband has Gleason 8 with seminal invasion right, and a mild lymph node local (Just..."
Yes! I can speak about side effects of Radiation. I had 20 fractions of Tomotherapy. Not everyone has side effects, it's just that I did. After about 15 sessions of RT, I started having some side effects, primarily issues with urine. The side effects peaked around a week after completion of my radiation and continued for about 5 weeks, basically a lot of pain and burning during peeing, constriction, tremendous urgency at time leading to incontinence on a couple of instances, dribbling (at times I would take 15-20 minutes to feel satisfied after peeing). At its worst it was bad, but then I knew it would pass, which it did. I had my last shot of RT on 19th Feb and today I am feeling good. Constriction, dribbling and the issue of incomplete voiding seems much better that pre-radiation. But not everyone has side effects.
If possible to do surgery, I would choose it with an 8 score. It probably will spread at that high of a score. Trying radiation and then surgery is not an option because of the side effects of radiation. So, if possible the earlier you can get it removed the better.
Praying for your wisdom and healing.
Connect
He's stage 3b. He's on elligard injections & Zytiga-oral chemo for 2 years. He also had Spaceoar and markers inserted.
He had 26 rad sessions, finished today. He was not able to maintain a full bladder, so they did a foley catheter which he would clamp before treatment to fill his bladder. That was not a good experience, but did the trick.
He is fatigued, sleeps alot during the day. Burning with bowel movement and urinating. Some hot flashed, but not bad. Overall, the worst was the catheter thing. Without that problem, I think he would have gotten through rad sessions well. Everyone's experience is a bit different. Good luck to you and your husband!