prostate cancer with ulcerative colitis

My main concern is that the urologist said that the only suitable treatment for my husband was robotic assisted surgery.He said with his condition (ulcerative colitis) they could not offer him anything with radiation. He didn't even say that active surveillance was an option.

Also my concern is that after the operation if the cancer does come back then what treatment would they use for him. which is what I will be asking the consultant when we see him next. They have already booked him in for his Pre OP for the 10th October. I assume they will do the surgery quiet quickly after that. Not sure how long they would leave it after a pre op appointment. My husband has also got another appointment on the 4th October where they will show a presentation of the procedure.

Another question is on my mind seeing that my husband has no symptoms is it best to have the surgery right now or should we wait?

unfortunately there is no way of knowing how quick or slow the Cancer will spread.

so really leaves us with limited choice.

thanks

Tazz

Prostate cancer is generally slow-growing, so there’s no rush to have surgery, in the sense that it’s unlikely to make any difference whether your husband has surgery next month or in 3 months’ time, but it would be unwise to delay it for years, because the more the cancer spreads, the higher the chance that surgery won’t get it all. The earlier that surgery is done, the better the odds of a curative treatment.

I know from personal experience that the prospect of major surgery is not a pleasant one. In my own case, the scans I had to investigate my prostate cancer also revealed that I had a localised kidney tumour (again with no symptoms), and on 1st September I had my left kidney removed. Not a pleasant experience, and I’m still recovering from the surgery, but I had no doubts at all that it needed removing, and the earlier it was done the better the chances of it completely eradicating my kidney cancer.

So my suggestion would be to follow your consultant’s advice and get the surgery done.

All the best,

Chris

Chris

That makes a lot of sense if The consultant had explained this to us it would of saved me a lot time and worry, I read on a few sites that men where on AS with the same Gleason score so didn’t understand why my husband was told surger.

I hope your recovery is quick and you are to the   of health very soon.

Thanks

Tazz

Lyn

It is because on me the bone scan was done I insisted on it, the consultant said it was not really needed and in his opinion it will be clear.

For my peace of mind he agreed to it seeing that my dad’s had spread to the bone and was to late until they found out.

thank u a lot for your reply’s they do really help me.

Tazz 

Tazz,

As you will most probably have gathered, the vast majority of men who are suitable for surgery or RT have one of the forms of these treatments and in the case of surgery have it backed up by RT if the surgery is not successful. If RT is the primary treatment (often preceded by and accompanied by Hormone Therapy), and this does not work, rarely the prostate can be removed but it's then more difficult and few surgeons wish to attempt it. A form of Focal therapy can be given for failed RT provided the cancer is still within the Prostate. Focal therapy is HIFU (High Intensity Focal Ultra sound or Cryotherapy ) although there are also even rarer types such as Nanoknife or FLA that are very occasionally given as primary, rather than salvage treatment but to qualify for these the cancer must be contained within the Prostate and meet other requirements for each type of treatment.

Because Focal treatment is rare in the UK, especially as primary rather than as salvage treatment, there are only a few hospitals/facilities that do it. I had HIFU as part of a trial for men who had failed RT. Had I wanted HIFU (and been suitable for it as a primary treatment), I think I would have had to have had it privately. The same largely applies with Cryotherapy although it may be possible to have it done within the NHS in a very few places. Nanoknife has generally been restricted to trials within the NHS or done privately. The husband of one of our members 'Claret' had to go abroad for his chosen FLA treatment but certain criteria had to be met to qualify.

This sets out the situation as I believe it to be. In short, your husband's histology and scans would have to be referred to a specialist in Focal Therapy to see whether he was suitable if he wished to pursue this as an alternative to the usual Prostatectomy or Radiation. Where none of all these forms of treatment is wanted, he could be most likely be put on Hormone Treatment and as appropriate, chemo and other further down the line systemic treatments if/when required.

Edited by member 30 Sep 2018 at 18:03  | Reason: Not specified

Surgery, like all forms of treatments carries risks but has been done for many years by many surgeons and long term statistics are available on various aspects. Focal therapy lacks long term validation and is largely regarded as experimental. It also requires seeking out where it can be done and suitability which inevitably takes more time. I only mentioned it because you asked about other treatment. However, if surgery is decided on, should it not be successful it could then be considered whether to risk RT in your husband's circumstances or rely on the systemic ones previously mentioned.

Hope surgery goes well. Do keep us posted.

Thank you very much for taking time out to answer to my comment I really do appreciate it, it has helped me a lot. Will keep you posted on what happens next. Will know by the 4th when my hubby is going to be operated on.

My husband has a strong faith and doesn’t really talk about his condition he say’s what will happen will happen. Takes everything in his stride, but I am a little different need to know all the but if and maybe’s. Sometimes my approach is not the best but that’s me.

Also if I didn’t read up on it we would never of known about the side affect of the surgery etc now that I have read up on it and passed all the information back to him at least he can mentally be prepared for them.

Once again thanks to both of u

Tazz