Radiation vs Surgery Gleason 3+4=7, Long Term Side Effects (Cyclist)

What my readings turned up is that after 2 years, the outcomes for cancer prognosis are the same for radical prostatectomy and for radiation treatments ( direct radiation and radioactive seeds). However, radiation can cause damage to adjacent organs, esp. the bowel.

@partin26

I forgot to add that I was 3 +4 also, with a low intermediate risk cancer. Now almost 10 years out and undetectable PSA.

I had proton beam therapy to treat my 4+3, and, according to Decipher, genomically high-risk prostate cancer. After two post-treatment PSA tests, there is no trace of cancer. For the treatment, I had a biodegradable (after 6 months) balloon spacer between my prostate and colon. I have experienced no gastrointestinal and no urinary side effects. My treatment was whole-gland. You may or may not qualify for focal therapy as an option.

@quaddick glad things are working well for you. Thanks so much for sharing.

@quaddick glad things are going well. thanks so much for sharing.

@quaddick glad things are going well. Thanks so much for sharing.

@thelawdave thank you I will keep this in mind.

Hi, I had similar dx. I underwent brachytherapy and external beam radiation 10 years ago. I have two brief episodes of brief hematuria, caused by strain. Cystoscopy and cytology negative. Resolution. I have had after 10 years some post-voiding drip. From radiotherapy or ageing? Can't tell. Generally I have done well.

I went from an initial diagnosis of 3+4=7 on my first biopsy to 4+5=9 final pathology 17 months later when my prostate was removed. I am 56 and my PSA is undetectable 9 months post RARP. I chose RARP after meeting surgeon and radiologist due to my relatively young age and ability to keep radiation 'in back pocket' should it recur. I was told both have almost equal long-term success rates, but having the 1-2 punch was the deciding factor for me. The 2 big side effects as I'm sure you know are continence and ED. On continence, I still wear one light pad in the daytime due to the occasional stress-related squirt (an unexpected sneeze, running (which I try to do 3x/week, etc.). I wear a heavier pad to play golf and I don't wear one at night. I used to wear nothing but boxers but now find that the supportive underwear further helps reduce leaks. Going commando in swim trunks will find the occasional unwanted stream down my leg. I don't consider myself to be fully 'continent' by my definition because of these minor, livable but annoying occurrences. I find myself using Dude Wipes daily as these small leaks smell bad on the pad by the end of a day and I am conscientious about hoping nobody else can smell it. You lose 2 of the 3 things that help you hold it with surgery - internal sphincter and the prostate gland. So your external sphincter is all that stands between you and a squirt or worse. I should do more kegels, and maybe that would help, but I think from conversations with other survivors that this is pretty much the 'new normal.' For the ED, I'm not back to pre-surgery firmness by any stretch but I also needed pills pre surgery for erections. I used a vacuum pump a lot in the early days as I was afraid of shrinkage. Now I hate the sound of it and may use in once or twice a week just to keep it flexible. I believe sex with a ring around the base after pumping it up would work. I've also experimented with Trimix with pretty good success. Dry orgasms are a real thing and I have been able to accomplish them many times with partial or nearly full (with Trimix) erections. Emotionally, I have run the gamut. This sucks, why me, etc., but now I am feeling mostly grateful that my doctors detected it early and that God has given me the opportunity to watch my daughter grow up which is what I asked for from the beginning of this journey. I firmly believe surgery was the right path for me, but everyone is different. I hope this information is helpful to you in some small way. God Bless.

I have been diagnosed with prostrate cancer and am told Im a good canidate for either surgery or radiation treatment....Im finding it very difficult to decide which to do. Comments here are very informative and helpful.