It is my opinion that a decision to go with surgery or radiation/hormone-therapy/active surveillance is a very personal decision. My local doctor did not even tell me that my PSA was rapidly moving through the 2/3/4/5/6/7's over the course of several years. Fortunately, I retired a bit early at 55 and was investigating ways to control my cholesterol with diet. The nurse practitioner (a friend of our family) that I was working with reviewed my medical records and found that my PSA had been increasing for quite a few years. In the end, I was a Gleason 7 (4/3) and opted for a radical prostatectomy. I did a significant amount of online research, referencing friends/acquaintances that had dealt with PC in the past, etc... In the end, the clear choice for me was a radical prostatectomy. I am one of those individuals that can't image leaving a known cancer to grow in my body. FYI - I am about as far from a hypochondriac as you can get :). Scanning tools and biopsies have advanced significantly over the years, but are not perfect. To rely on these tools to direct the radiation is somewhat of a risk in my opinion (no medical training, just my opinion). If I had found my PC at Gleason Score 6, I would have definitely had a radical prostatectomy, leaving me with a significantly lower biochemical reoccurrence percentage. However, it is what it is, and I am moving forward with the hand that I was dealt and the treatment plan that best aligns with my unique circumstances.

In the end, I feel that PC treatment relies on so many personal attributes (age, health, personal opinion, etc.) that it is only possible to give others their personal experience and factors they took into account when making a final treatment decision. There are good & bad doctors, their opinions are just one input to a final decision.

Best of luck to all those battling PC and God bless you all.

Jim