3rd opinion: How many opinions did you get for prostate cancer?

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!!

Did you undergo radiation? Was Chemo and or hormone treatment involved. Husband needs to make decision about treatment. He is Gleason 8 with right seminal invasion.

Thank you.

I had RP with 6 months of ADT and Erleada before and 6 months after. My doctors at UCLA advised that the results of surgery and radiation are about the same but surgery leaves the option of successful radiation as a treatment as the cancer returns. With an aggressive, CR , high Gleason score, cancer, the cancer usually returns and I wanted to preserve as many options as possible.Good Luck to you!

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!

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.

This site will give you the probability of remaining cancer free for each of the major treatment pathways.

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.

The surgeon was right. Surgery after radiation is quite difficult. Your husband is very young. Gleason 7 is not bad, it could be worse. You said he is stage 4. That means cancer is outside the prostate. Lymph nodes likely. That would be 4A. That is my case. A second opinion is always recommended. I trust my urology but my wife and my best friend, a doctor, told me to get a second opinion and I did not regret it. Look at options, research the topic and then decide. But you need to trust someone. It’s a long journey and your husband needs support . Best for you, him and your family.

Hello, my husband was diagnosed last year and our situations are similar. My husband is 55yrs old, Gleason score (4+3) and PSA was 32 at diagnosis. We went to 3 doctors and was told that surgery was his best option and that preserved the possibility of radiation should we need it later. His PSA following surgery was 1.5 so he started Lupron and radiation. Side effects were somewhat mild and tolerable. It is a long journey so brace yourself for that. Take care of him but also yourself. As his wife and caregiver, a lot will be on you as well. Give yourself grace and take those moments to spoil yourself. It’ll be a rollercoaster ride. All the best.

Thank you. Have been advised Surgery would not get it all due to regional spread, and would then need to be radiated anyway. ADT and IMRT suggested. Starting Eligard Friday in hopes to shrink prostate, remove catheter (post biopsy complication) then start radiation 28 sessions. Need to follow up with cardiologist regularly due to heart condition ADT combo. Anyone know if hot flashes and side effects start right away after ADT shot or does it build up?