Hello David and welcome
Sorry you find the need to be here but we will support you to our best ability.
Firstly, could I ask how the Gleason score was made up. ie 3+4 or 4+3 as it does make a difference.
Were you offered any other treatment at all ie Brachytherapy, either seed (Low dose rate therapy, where the seeds are left permanently implanted) or High dose rate Brachytherapy where a rod is inserted for a very short time and removed.
You are correct in that if you opt for radiotherapy first then it is very hard to operate afterwards.
Were you offered Active Surveillance at all?
I would suggest that you go to the publications section of the site and either order or download The Toolkit which is a set of helpful leaflets/pamphlets regarding the various treatments, symptoms, POSSIBLE side effects.
I emphasis possible since even with the same Gleason score it isn't a given that two men having the same treatment will react in the same way.
Read and digest the toolkit and use it to write down questions for the consultant at your next appointment.
Take a pen and paper to write down the answers and also if possible take somebody with you since two pairs of ears are better than one.
I expect others to be along at some stage and they will also have advice for you.
In the meantime, please don't panic or despair. You are not alone in this and we do all understand how you feel.
Best Wishes
Sandra
Edited by member 26 Sep 2015 at 19:00
| Reason: Not specified
We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails |
User
Hi David
My husband was offered surgery, hormone treatment combined with radiotherapy or hormone treatment with radiotherapy and brachytherapy. He was told that there was nothing to choose between them with the outcome by both urologist and oncologist - it really was a case of personal preference and he opted for the last scenario. He was T3a Gleason 7.
If you click on my profile you will be able to see his history. He is now more than half way through his radiotherapy and will be having his brachytherapy in November.
It may be worth you phoning the Prostate Cancer UK specialist nurses for some impartial advice.
Good luck with your journey
M
Edited by member 26 Sep 2015 at 19:30
| Reason: Not specified
"You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think." A A Milne |
User
Hi David,
If you opt for radiotherapy and then you find that the cancer comes back (known as biological recurrance), then it is highly unlikely you will be offered surgery as it is difficult (although not impossible) to perform. From what I can understand radiotherapy destroys the structure of the prostate making it very difficult to discern it (and cut it away from) from normal tissue, with confidence that no cancer remains.
Your next step if your PSA does start to rise (from it's lowest point) is going to depend on where the oncologist believes the cancer remains. If it still local to the prostate you may be offered cryotherapy - although I don't know if this is universally provided across the NHS. If the oncologist believes that the cancer has spread outside the local area, then hormone therapy will be the likely treatment offered in this case.
I wouldn't dwell too much on the "what ifs". You've been offered radical treatment with the intention of a cure. Hopefully a second line of treatment will never be needed.
Flexi
User
Don't get too caught up in trying to choose based on what the salvage options would be if it fails. Statistically, if your first choice of treatment fails, your chances of getting a cure drop dramatically anyway so the idea is to choose the treatment that you and your medical team believe is most likely to work first time.
It's like wearing armbands in case the old boat sinks - better to choose a boat with no holes in it because the armbands probably won't get you back to land.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
|
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User
Hello David and welcome
Sorry you find the need to be here but we will support you to our best ability.
Firstly, could I ask how the Gleason score was made up. ie 3+4 or 4+3 as it does make a difference.
Were you offered any other treatment at all ie Brachytherapy, either seed (Low dose rate therapy, where the seeds are left permanently implanted) or High dose rate Brachytherapy where a rod is inserted for a very short time and removed.
You are correct in that if you opt for radiotherapy first then it is very hard to operate afterwards.
Were you offered Active Surveillance at all?
I would suggest that you go to the publications section of the site and either order or download The Toolkit which is a set of helpful leaflets/pamphlets regarding the various treatments, symptoms, POSSIBLE side effects.
I emphasis possible since even with the same Gleason score it isn't a given that two men having the same treatment will react in the same way.
Read and digest the toolkit and use it to write down questions for the consultant at your next appointment.
Take a pen and paper to write down the answers and also if possible take somebody with you since two pairs of ears are better than one.
I expect others to be along at some stage and they will also have advice for you.
In the meantime, please don't panic or despair. You are not alone in this and we do all understand how you feel.
Best Wishes
Sandra
Edited by member 26 Sep 2015 at 19:00
| Reason: Not specified
We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails |
User
Hi David
My husband was offered surgery, hormone treatment combined with radiotherapy or hormone treatment with radiotherapy and brachytherapy. He was told that there was nothing to choose between them with the outcome by both urologist and oncologist - it really was a case of personal preference and he opted for the last scenario. He was T3a Gleason 7.
If you click on my profile you will be able to see his history. He is now more than half way through his radiotherapy and will be having his brachytherapy in November.
It may be worth you phoning the Prostate Cancer UK specialist nurses for some impartial advice.
Good luck with your journey
M
Edited by member 26 Sep 2015 at 19:30
| Reason: Not specified
"You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think." A A Milne |
User
Hi David,
If you opt for radiotherapy and then you find that the cancer comes back (known as biological recurrance), then it is highly unlikely you will be offered surgery as it is difficult (although not impossible) to perform. From what I can understand radiotherapy destroys the structure of the prostate making it very difficult to discern it (and cut it away from) from normal tissue, with confidence that no cancer remains.
Your next step if your PSA does start to rise (from it's lowest point) is going to depend on where the oncologist believes the cancer remains. If it still local to the prostate you may be offered cryotherapy - although I don't know if this is universally provided across the NHS. If the oncologist believes that the cancer has spread outside the local area, then hormone therapy will be the likely treatment offered in this case.
I wouldn't dwell too much on the "what ifs". You've been offered radical treatment with the intention of a cure. Hopefully a second line of treatment will never be needed.
Flexi
User
Don't get too caught up in trying to choose based on what the salvage options would be if it fails. Statistically, if your first choice of treatment fails, your chances of getting a cure drop dramatically anyway so the idea is to choose the treatment that you and your medical team believe is most likely to work first time.
It's like wearing armbands in case the old boat sinks - better to choose a boat with no holes in it because the armbands probably won't get you back to land.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
|