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3rd opinion: How many opinions did you get for prostate cancer?
My husband was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. I think maybe stage four but I’m not sure. He has a 3+4 Gleason score 13 PSA he’s 54. He has of also rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid problems. His initial urologist recommended surgery he then sent us to a specialist who also recommended surgery because of his age and relative good health. I follow a Facebook group on this subject, and Majority of them recommend another opinion, so I don’t know I’m just curious what everyone else thinks. I’m told that because the guy we saw today was a surgeon that he would naturally recommend surgery which is kind of what my husband thinks but he said today that if my husband was to have radiation first and then down the line , come up with cancer again that he wouldn’t be able to do surgery so I don’t know we’ve got surgery scheduled but I’m just curious if anyone else has been through this particular scenario what your thoughts are etc. thank you
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I have not read the entire thread but this is an interesting topic. The concept of getting a "2nd or 3rd" option is often put in context to a moment in time, and often that "moment in time" is upon first diagnosis and making the initial treatment decision. I tend to agree with that quite strongly. --- However, to win the battles against PCa requires a long-term approach and I personally would be overwhelmed if at every milestone decision I was seeking additional opinions. After bringing together a health team and making the commitment for self-education, you should be in good hands.
I was told by my doctors at UCLA that because the cancer apparently had not distantly spread ( biopsy and pet scan testing ) that surgery would be a decent chance for a cure and if I had radiation first then surgery would not be an option for the next treatment, if I needed it. I had surgery at 74 years and surgery and ADT did put an end to my sex life and my desire for sex. I opted for the best chance of many more years over a little sex and I think that I made the right choice. Good luck