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options for treatment

User
Posted 27 Jan 2019 at 17:15

Hello all

 

I am a 44 year old who was diagnosed February 16th 2017, initially I was told I could have surgery or radiotherapy, they told me to let them know my choice 3 months later, when I returned, they said to me, "we are sorry, but given your age, we have decided to put you on active surveillance", a year and a half later, I reminded them that they had promised yearly biopsies, so reluctantly, they gave me my 2nd set of biopsies, the new biopsies showed a few extra cells, all what they say is quite a bit bigger than they would expect normal cells to be, let alone the cancerous cells and so reopened the 2 options for me, I return on February 7th to give my decision, a little assistance would be greatly appreciated, I lean towards the radiotherapy, because my dad is 1st in family to survive and that is the treatment that he had, but I am still open to surgery if proven to be more effective, though, all along I have said to them that surgery is a last resort for me, I also lean towards radiotherapy though, because for the whole time since diagnosis, they have appeared to be forcing me to go for surgery, only allowing me to speak to someone about radiotherapy after my 2nd biopsy results, anyone else on here who has had a similar experience, please assist with what you ended up having done and how it has helped you

 

Thanks for taking time to read this and thanks in advance for any help any of you can give me

User
Posted 27 Jan 2019 at 22:30
Doesn’t sound right at all - men aren’t ‘put’ on active surveillance ... they are given options based on the advice of the MDT and it is rare for very young men to be offered AS unless they need to delay while deciding which treatment to have and whether or not to have spent frozen, etc.

Also, can you say a bit more about the big cells? Cancer cells aren’t bigger than normal ones so I wonder if you mean that your prostate is bigger than normal?

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

User
Posted 27 Jan 2019 at 22:32
PS generally speaking, young men are steered towards surgery because there is a small risk of second cancers in the future with radiotherapy. But you could ask to see a specialist in brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy before making a final decision?
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 27 Jan 2019 at 22:35

They said my 1st biopsy cells were 1.3mm, 2nd set biopsies, they said 3mm-8mm in size

User
Posted 27 Jan 2019 at 22:39

They decided they can wait years before treatment because it a slow growing cancer, but were duly surprised and concerned about the rate & size of growth, why they decided to reallow both options, saying that now is the time for treatment, because if left now on active surveillance, at rate and size, it would take over my prostate in very little time

User
Posted 27 Jan 2019 at 22:59

My cells also are on both left & right anterior region of prostate

User
Posted 27 Jan 2019 at 23:19

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

They said my 1st biopsy cells were 1.3mm, 2nd set biopsies, they said 3mm-8mm in size

That isn't the size of your cells, it is the estimated size of the tumours I think and they seem to be growing very rapidly.

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

User
Posted 27 Jan 2019 at 23:27
Hi Stephen,

You have not posted details of your diagnosis and any changes between biopsies under your Profile/Bio so we don't have a lot to go on but hospitals do not like to administer radical treatment until it is necessary, so patients avoid, at least for a time the side effects of premature radical treatment. Usually, PCa progresses quite slowly so they may feel there is no rush in your case. As you may know there are 3 ways of surgically removing the Prostate and different means of delivering RT. Not all hospitals can offer all the options so it would be an idea to check what is on offer and also for what you are most suited. Also, if you opt for RT ask about how long you will be having HT because this has adverse side effects too. Your treatment decision should be based on your own individual situation and not what a few family members or friends have had or recommend. Generally speaking but not always, young men like yourself are steered towards surgery as they have a longer remaining lifespan for cancer to reestablish within the Prostate or initiate another cancer years later. with RT. Against this you have to factor in that surgery is more likely to produce worse side effects. Your attitude to risk has to be factored in.

My advice to you would be to download or obtain a free copy of the 'Toolkit' available from the publications section of this Charity, as it provides a lot of basic information about the disease and treatment options. You will then be much better informed to discuss options at your forthcoming appointment.

Barry
User
Posted 28 Jan 2019 at 07:20

I will post the numbers & details of both sets of biopsies shortly, just discovered a new lump just to the left of prostate

 
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