Latest PSA result ....decision time?

Hi Keithyboy, Yes, it would seem to make sense to learn what if anything MRI reveals through subsequent discussion with your consultant. However, your PSA increases progressively and even if it is decided that it is too early to have radical treatment for the immediate future, it would be good to decide, if possible, the treatment that you would favour or to put it another way what you would dislike the least providing it is on offer, at an appropriate time. You mention brachytherapy. Had you in mind the high dose version where radioactive probes are inserted during an operation under anesthetic for a time and then withdrawn or the low dose version where seeds are implanted in an operation and left in place? No doubt you will have researched these options as both may be open to you. You may decide like most younger men that you will go with surgery. Depending where the cancer is and it's extent you might instead consider a form of focal therapy where there are several possibilities though these are usually still regarded as experimental because of lack of long term assessment.

I think it would be helpful to you and for others who respond, if you show details of your diagnosis and ongoing progress under your Bio and perhaps keep to one thread for essentially the same thing about your situation. This provides a useful point of reference for members to know where you are and to respond appropriately, rather than have to search through various postings under different threads which can be lost over time .

Edited by member 11 Feb 2018 at 02:55  | Reason: Not specified

Hi Keithyboy,

Only you can decide what procedures to have in the end but your prognosis is at the lower end of the Gleason score but if it was me the raise in Psa would make me think of asking more questions to the oncologist to give you a better idea of your options going forward.

If you click my avatar it will show you my progress taking the Brachytherapy route but I could also have had the robotic removal only time will tell if i made the right choice but at 70 i felt it worth the risk and i would have less secondary problems.

I am 17 months on from my operation with PSA 0.44 and doing well.

Good luck John. 

Edited by member 12 Feb 2018 at 12:22  | Reason: Not specified

Hi Keithyboy,

20 Miles is good,I have only ever done 20 miles on a bus.I have tiredness and i think fatigue  and wake up at night and think about it and of course feel rubbish in the morning but I was always one for worry even when i had my own Business and done much the same.

What has helped me since retiring in 2011 is being able to get away for long trips in my Motorhome into Europe and doing some long stretches of driving seeing different places and of course some sun.

I of course at 71 am bit older and the life expectancy comes into the plan and of course any of us could be run over by a bus and you stand more of a chance than me with all your road running,

But joking apart I think once you talk to your specialists about your options and a way forward it may feel a bit better i know once i decided which way to go i felt a bit happier,but after the operation the doubts come back as to have i made the right decision.

Good luck and if i can help in any way i will.

Regards John.

An excellent read Malcolm. Thank you for sharing

I hope you will have a hi-res multi-parametric MRI at 3 Tesla resolution, as this will provide the most accurate images of your condition. Ask about it.

I am very surprised that prostatectomy surgery is not available in Northern Ireland - I thought you were still part of the UK!