PSA test results, should I start my treatment sooner?

According to AI neither is a “safe” just different side effects sometimes depending on a specific case ADT, chemo and radiation is used, think of chemo as carpet bombing, and Radiation target bombing with some possible collateral damage.

Zzotte

You don’t want to do chemo unless you have to. It does have negative effects on some people.

These side effects arise because chemotherapy drugs target rapidly dividing cells, which include not only cancer cells but also some healthy cells like those in the bone marrow, hair follicles, and digestive tract.

Radiation does not have these issues, it has its own issues, they are not nearly as bad as chemo side effects.

I suggest you ask your doc. As I understand it, depending on the situation, some can start w an ADT or ENZA dose and let that perc awhile before doing the surgery. But check w your doc

@jeffmarc, you know what I'm going to say. 🙂 Making a blanket statement about not doing chemo is not appropriate in a forum like this. Chemotherapy may be an appropriate and effective treatment for some people. I would hate for someoone to read your post and refuse treatment. All treatments have side effects.

Sharing experiences, resources and information helps others to ask questions, discuss with their medical providers, seek second opinions and ultimately to make informed decisions. However, please be careful about telling people what they should or shouldn't do.

Community Guidelines https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/

I agree on "not making a blanket statement" about not doing chemo. However, I think Jeff's comment is on the border line. To me, his comment "unless you have to" gives room for the advice-tecipient to decide for himself whether to follow a professional advice that he needs chemo. My friend is on stage 4 PCa, he was treated with chemo injection. On his next injection appointment, the oncologist told him "no more, injection is not for you." He was switched to oral (pill) chemo. To me, his case fell under "he has to" -- Jeff will not suggest against it, I guess.

The point I was making was that unless a doctor has said you need chemo you don’t want to just have it.

I think we knew what you meant
Zzotte

I appreciate the clarification. We only have words on the screen without the benefit of body language and tone of voice. It's important to be careful with our words.

You have cancer, so "safe" has become a less important term. As @zzotte previously posted, radiation in more a single point target with the possible of nearby collateral damage. Chemo is the shotgun method of hitting most everything to knockout cancer with, hopefully, minimal damage to, well everything else. Your medical team should decide what you need at this point.
With prostate cancer, I had the usual targeted beam and then ARC radiation. I began to play Whack A Mole. Then two types of chemo. They all helped by buying time. Then, Pluvicto, which is working wonderfully.
All of these forms of treatments come with risk, but not nearly as risky as advancing cancer. You have to step back, take a breath, look at the big picture, remove emotion and use the available knowledge and options to make the best choice for you.