Well,I,ve been diagnosed today..

Hi Sonic,

Welcome to the place we had rather not be. Many of us experienced no symptoms of PCa and because of this it came as an even bigger surprise. There is certainly I lot to take in and you really do have to get a good grasp of the treatments and potential side effects because sometimes you have several options and although there are back up treatments, you only get one shot at surgery or first line radiotherapy, although for the comparative few who have HIFU (High Intensity Focal Ultrasound) as main treatment, this can in need be repeated.

A good place to start your research with a view to finding out more about PCa and which treatment option you prefer (assuming there are also other options you could choose from apart from the surgery you have been offered), is the The Tool Kit on the main area of this charity site. You can also read the profiles of those who have posted, as these show how individuals stories, treatment and progress. You just need to click on the poster's name. Also, you can use the search facility to find threads (which are now referred to here as 'Conversations' ), about various treatments and a wide range of other things relating to PCa.

You have been told that your cancer is contained within your prostate and it follows that you stand a good chance that treatment will deal with it effectively. It may well be that you will follow the recommendation of your consultant and have surgery but it is good to know what else might be on offer. To help you and members better understand where you are on your cancer journey, it would be useful if you could fill in some details in your profile - things like PSA on diagnosis, Gleason grade assessed at biopsy, your staging, scan results and the type of prostate cancer you have. If you don't know these details you can ask your GP who should have been made aware. If you have not yet done so, you can also ask to receive a copy of all medical communications about you.

Hello Sonic,

We're a bit in the same boat, although my other half is 62. Found out a week ago that he has a low grade, localised prostate cancer. This forum has been a great place to visit.. good information, support and advice. The level of everyone's knowledge is very thorough, and I've found reading their stories to be reassuring.

I won't even try to advise you....too new ourselves...but just say 'hi'.

Warm wishes

Sue

Edited by member 24 Jan 2015 at 09:23  | Reason: Not specified

The fact that your tests show that your cancer is contained within the prostate at this point is good news. It has been found early and is treatable to the extent where you may recover completely. However, this is only part of the story. The aggressiveness of the tumour(s) you have is of utmost importance too as is the size/quantity. The tumour may be a very slow growing one, a 'pussycat' or it could be one that grows and spreads quickly, a 'tiger'. If yours is a pussycat you may choose a course of treatment over a long period of time that deals with it but minimises side effects. On the other hand a 'tiger' is something else and you may need to take more immediate steps to eradicate it.

You have already identified your need to educate yourself to an extent where your own understanding of the issues will allow you to make an informed decision about what form of treatment is best for you. No one will be in a hurry to advise you to do one thing or another although you may find that a surgeon will advise you to have surgery whilst perhaps radio therapy may be advised by the doctors who use and administer this form of treatment, so understandable from their point of view. You will make up your own mind quite quickly I think.

Good luck with it all. You must be feeling quite down at present but that will pass I assure you. You are in a good position because your cancer seems to have been discovered early enough for treatment to be very effective so nil desperandum!

Ask any questions you may have. Someone on this forum will have experience and be able to give advice whatever you need to know.

Steve 

The cancer doesn't seem scary because I can't feel it,death doesn't scare me ,I,m resigned to that eventuality,and come close to it before,but the thought of being even the slightest bit disabled physically does.

Sorry,guess I,m ranting and venting a bit.

Will get the medical details requested and post up asap

Chemo was also mentioned as an option,but it seems there is a possibility of secondaries with this in later life? Plus a fairly tough ride. As the cancer is isolated I,m thinking surgery will be my first and best move.

Will definately be posting regularly once I find my feet and feel this is a great place of comfort and understanding.

Thank you all again for replying,and all my best to all of you in your own situations.

Definitely a bit muddled at the minute Sonic - chemo is not available as a treatment for localised prostate cancer. I don't think there is any research to say chemo causes secondaries either. Perhaps you misheard and what they said was that chemo is only offered to men with secondaries (mets).

With surgery, incontinence is possible but not probable, complete impotence is unlikely although sex will certainly be different.

Once you have more info, you may decide that RT is a better option for you with more manageable side effects although the hormone treatment might not appeal at your young age. Brachytherapy might be a good choice or, depending on your results, you may decide to go for active surveillance to begin with and only have treatment later if it starts to progress.

My husband was 50 at diagnosis, and has had surgery, RT and HT. He has no continence issues and is no longer impotent although it took 3 years to sort itself out.

Hey up mate
You share the same concerns a lot of us have when diagnosed.

I think you probably meant radiotherapy has the risk of creating other cancers later in life.

The link Devonlad has shared is quite good. But take advice from your treating team.

If you are thinking about surgery make sure you have a good experienced surgeon, that is vitally important. Check my profile. My surgeon had done over a 1000 of these ops. I had laprosopic surgery (keyhole) but there is also robotic and open. Research these options. But without a doubt recovery times are quicker with the former two.You have the right to ask your surgeon about his experience and success rates both in terms of achieving total removal of the cancer eg negative margins and his success with minimising side effects.

You need to know if nerve sparing is possible....This is important for future erectile function. I am fully continent and was so 3 months after my op. I can get an erection sometimes without viagra but sometimes I need an hand if you get my drift. I put all this down to the skill of my surgeon and the fact my nerves were spared. Having said all that I did need follow up radiotherapy as I had a tiny breech of the prostate that the scans or the surgeon had not seen (due to the size)

You mention 4 or 5 can you confirm if that is your PSA or Gleason score from the biopsy.

To summarise mate. If they feel it is contained and you feel surgery is your preferred route make sure you get an experienced surgeon in this procedure. I can't stress that enough. This will give you the best chance of the outcomes you so obviously desire.

Bri

Edited by member 25 Jan 2015 at 10:19  | Reason: Not specified

Hi

I was diagnosed just over 2 years ago at 55, and like Bri had a prostatectomy, then radiotherapy with (unlike Bri) added ADT as part a clinical trial. Like many guys on this site I have continued to work and have been fit and reasonably healthy since the surgery. Like you I went into it with my eyes open, for me nerve sparing wasn't an option but my wonderful wife still wanted me around!

So far the results have been excellent. I regained continence within 6 months of surgery and had very few side effects from the RT, the worst was that I lost a little of the regained continence and now wear a very light pad to catch the odd drip - very disconcerting when giving a presentation but I get round that by telling them that a medical condition means I cant stand for too long at a time.

Your realistic, positive attitude will help you get through this.

Good luck

Andy

Many thanks for the insight and positive attitude,I,m feeling strong and positive about the future,

and thank you Ray for your words of caution.

Of course,I,m not idiotic enough to believe this all going to be a walk in the park,my attitude is very"what will be will be" and I accept that nothing in this life is guaranteed,but I have always taken life by the horns,and this is no exception.

I will accept whatever outcome comes my way,good or bad,but hey..never say die.

Hope you are all well,and giving cancer a run for its money.

Thanks for taking the time to post,very glad to hear your treatment went so well,and your on the mend.

Any thoughts on how long after op I could be back at work?

I know it might sound a daft question, I mean,this is about saving my life,and work will take a back seat for a while,but I,m not that financially secure right now,so monies going to be real tight during the time I have to take off.

I,m pretty fit and well,apart from the obvious,so with exercise and good living I hope I won't be off too long...?

Can hardly wait to see the replies to this one...lol...I was hoping I may get back after a month or so..but I guess it's quite individual and could be longer.

Hi sonic,

My first response to your thread, and it may be an encouraging one, I hope.

Early diagnosis is the most significant factor in recovery and cure, as far as a cure goes. So you seem to be in that camp?

It has been suggested that "Sex will certainly be different" for you. With PCa, the one certainty is that nothing is certain. So, the assertion that "Sex will certainly be different for you" is certainly uncertain. It may or may not be so, it may or may not be so for a short time or a long time or no time at all virtually, or forever. You may want to understand that following an op there will probably be, almost definitely be an impact, somewhat negative, on your current sexual lifestyle. But, whether or not is, there is no way of knowing how long that may last.

Similarly to you, I was as fit as a fiddle when diagnosed, what a surprise that was. I describe it as "rotting from the inside".

And do bear in mind that forums tend to get those with problems seeking help, advice and solace. The vast majority of men make a good recovery and do so silently and anonymously, lucky Bar Stewards!

atb

dave