Advice re treatment

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User

Posted 24 Jun 2017 at 19:23

Hi! I have recently been diagnosed with localised prostate cancer Gleason Scale 7. I am 72 yrs of age and otherwise basically healthy. I have been offered either robotic prostatectomy or radiotherapy. I have read extensively about the two treatments, but would value any thoughts or experiences that others may have had. Thanks!

User

Posted 24 Jun 2017 at 23:06

Hello Wilks and welcome

The Gleason of 7 was that 3+4 or 4+3 as the result makes a little bit of difference.

Were any other treatments offered to you other than those two. Were you told you would be eligible for Active surveillance ( basically no treatment but active monitoring with regular PSA tests and scans) or there is also Brachytherapy.

Whatever you decide please take the time to get as much info as you can before making a decision.
If you go to Publications on this site then you can download The Toolkit, a set of information leaflets explaining the various treatments and their POSSIBLE side effects

Best Wishes and Good luck

Sandra

******

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

User

Posted 25 Jun 2017 at 01:53

Hi Wilks,

I feel you not only need to research the treatment options that have been offered (there are others but maybe unsuitable) but ask your consultant(s) whether it is felt that in your case surgery should suffice in itself or whether you are likely to still need HT/RT and thereby risk combined side effects.

You also need to know your full diagnosis, ideally, percentage of cancer found in a number of the cores and in what part of prostate and most particularly your staging which provides information on the degree of spread, although having been offered surgery it is likely believed it is contained within the capsule or not advanced far.

Barry

User

Posted 25 Jun 2017 at 10:20

Hi Wilks,

Like Johsan comments about 3=4 or 4+3 =7 Gleason I was in the same place as you ten months ago when i was diagnosed PSA 2.19 and 3+4=7 Gleason and was offered radical removal from my first specialist and i felt at the time he thought i was going to take that route as he seemed to be pushing the robotic equipment at the Hospital until i asked about brachytherapy and i was seen by a brachytherapy specialist at the hospital the same day.

The brachytherapy specialist went through my notes and said i would be suitable for the brachytherapy procedure but i did feel at the time the first specialist was trying to sell me his procedure as the only way.

I can not tell you the the best way to jump and it is exactly that as nobody can guarantee the long term result but i felt the brachytherapy route was less invasive and maybe less bowel and bladder problems and maybe even an extension of my sex life at 70, (no pun meant).

If you click on my avatar you will find my journey so far, nine months on I am happy with the Psa dropped to 0.59,off tamulosan since 27th April. Good luck with your decision.

John.

User

Posted 25 Jun 2017 at 11:36

Hi Johan!

Thanks for your comments - I am Gleason 7 ( 4+3 ) T 2. I am having a bone scan this week, and then unfortunately my appointments with the surgeon and oncologist are a week apart. I believe my MRI showed no spread. I will keep posted on how things are going!

User

Posted 25 Jun 2017 at 11:39

Thanks to all who have recently replied and for advice offered - I will keep informed.

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