Prostate cancer treatment options?

Posted by kjacko @kjacko, Sep 1, 2023

Yesterday I had a prostate biopsy. Today I got the results via email. It shows that I have some cancer(3+4=7 Gleason Score). I also have an enlarged prostate and most recent PSA score of 7.7. Also, last month I had a MRI which was negative. I don’t believe my urologist will see these results until next week. My question to you is this:
What treatment options, if any, would you recommend I discuss with my doctor next week? I appreciate your replies.
BTW, I am 71 and in very good physical condition. However, right now I’m a little anxious as I’m sure many of you can understand.

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@cstrutt52

I was pretty much in the same boat. 70, 3+4. Though my MRI showed five lesions, including a PI-RADS 5, and my second MRI showed substantial growth. After some research, I was leaning toward HDR brachytherapy. Without any prompting my Mayo doctor recommended that option. I wanted to avoid the robotic surgery down time, ten days with a cath, and the higher risk of ED and incontinence. Radiation also has risks but HDR seemed to have the least (no moving seeds as with LDR brachytherapy, and no radiation exposure to healthy tissue from external beam; although the CyberKnife external beam promises very little exposure (only some on the way in). HDR is the second most invasive (after surgery) in that it requires two out-patient procedures, both long days. I had no pain or problems. My HDR was last April. I do still have a weaker stream, which can be a risk with radiation because it "cooks" the prostate and can cause a bit of swelling. Your options are cut, burn or poison (chemo). You will find there is no great option, only accepting some reduction in quality of life to increase your chance of living much longer. There are some great things reportedly coming (a pill that triggers your immune system to wipe out the cancer) but those things are likely beyond your ability to wait them out. Good luck.

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Thank you.

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