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Posted 31 Oct 2015 at 22:11

Went to see surgeon Friday after urologist appointment made us feel surgery a good option for us. Initially when my husband was diagnosed in 2012 we were steered away from operation,implying very big operation,might be too much. After active surveillance now needing to make a decision for treatment. Anyway surgeon gave us bleak view of recovery for a man my husband's age of 71,making us both feel this wouldn't be the best choice. Now waiting for radiology,oncology appointment. So much information delivered so quickly! Anyone else feeling like this?

User

Posted 01 Nov 2015 at 00:32

Hi Sofijoan,
It is hard for any of us to advise as the surgeon had your husband's medical history in front of him and perhaps is aware of things that we are not. There are men on here that have had the op in their 70s and have made a good recovery and to be honest, the 3 year thing could be a bit of a red herring depending on what the oncologist says.

Most men who have radiotherapy will also be prescribed hormones and these might be needed for anything from 9 months to 3 years. You could ask the onco how long he thinks the hormones would be needed, and also ask whether brachytherapy might be an option.

Generally speaking, the side effects of surgery happen immediately but some will improve over time. The side effects of radiotherapy tend to develop over a number of years. Side effects of hormone treatments build up over time and some are permanent while others will diminish once the treatment finishes

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 01 Nov 2015 at 08:37

Hello Sofiejoan

You're profile doesn't give any details of PSA, Gleason etc so it isn't easy to offer advice

All I can add is that at around 72 on diagnosis, a year on active surveillance and then low dose seed Brachytherapy at 73/4 my husband had his 1st Anniversary of the implant in June this year and his PSA was down to 0.5 from 6.3 at its highest.

He had his 75th birthday last Tuesday and there have been very few long lasting side effects.

That's not to say they won't happen further down the line, especially with the bowel but that is something that has to be put up with if it happens in order to gain the years in between.

Good luck with your choice

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 06 Nov 2015 at 19:44

Thanks for your replies, biopsy in September showed on the left side 8 out of 12 cores positive with Gleason 6 ,5 or 6 sites and right side 1 core positive with score 3+4 a new discovery,all Gleason 6 before and increase of areas. As far as mri and bone scan shows there is no spread. We were told that brachytherapy wasn't an option as my husband's prostate is too enlarged. Appointment with oncologist on Thursday so will see how that goes,thanks again.

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