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Posted 18 Feb 2022 at 20:09

Just a brief introduction. I am 64 and married to Joanne and have 3 grown up children and two grand children(twins)Although new to the Forum I have previously read many of the postings. Very briefly I have just recently (7 January 2022) been diagnosed with a Gleason 6 cancer after having had a biopsy on 12 December 2021. At the meeting with the consultant, on my own due to COVID restrictions, the consultant gave me two options due to a family history and a PSA of 12.8 of either radiotherapy or a prostatectomy. To be honest I was a bit taken back as I naively thought they would probably put me on tablets. Since then I have met with the oncologist to discuss the radiotherapy option and have an appointment to discuss the radical prostatectomy on 4 March 2022. Thereafter it’s down to me to decide. I know many others have been down this road so any advice or opinions would be helpful. Full details of my exact journey to reach where I am are on my profile page.

Marvin

User

Posted 20 Feb 2022 at 23:27

Hi Jayne,

I had my RALP on December 15th, and so far so good.

I got some awesome advice from my Urologist between the diagnosis and the operation, summarized as follows:

Educate yourself on all the outcomes and options (this site is such an amazing resource).

Get your body into the best shape it has ever been, loose the weight, and get yourself fighting fit.

Take your partner away for a romantic weekend and have a love fest.

Worked for me ..

User

Posted 19 Feb 2022 at 14:29

Afternoon Marvin

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer last June ( Category 2, Gleason 3+4=7, PSA at that time was 5.76) and initially opted for Active Surveillance. A further PSA test last September found that my PSA had risen to 6.01, leading to a another biopsy (First biopsy was in June) and finding that although the grading of cancer was the same there was more of it throughout my prostate. Because of the rising PSA level and because more cancer was found it was suggested that I should now opt for treatment. I was offered surgery or RT. I opted for surgery because:

- For me it was good to have a quick treatment and to, hopefully, have all of the cancer removed (scans etc had confirmed that the cancer was still contained within the capsule)

-You generally cannot have your prostate removed after RT but can have RT after having surgery

- RT can cause issues many, many years after having it.

- It was useful, for me, to know what the final grading and extent of the cancer was ( the prostate is diced and sliced after it is removed and a fully biopsy is undertaken)

There are obviously side effects for both treatments and the side effects affect people in different ways but on balance the potential side effects by having surgery did not affect my decision. As a matter of interest, 8 weeks on from surgery I am now fully continent, my ED is improving and the full biopsy of my prostate confirmed that although the grading was still the same there was more of it and the cancer was bulging out from the capsule.

Ivan

User

Posted 20 Feb 2022 at 21:05

Hi Jayne P

Glad you and your husband have come to a decision and I hope everything goes well for your husband. I have the exact same choices to make although the oncologist I saw regarding the HT and RT was very helpful. To be fair to her she said both options ( ie operation or HT with RT were suitable for me. She explained that you virtually could not see the tumour so it must be very small. I have also had a bone scan which was clear so after the 4 March when the consultant gives me information about the procedure for a Radical Prostatectomy I also have a decision to make. I couldn’t agree with you more about the information from all the other contributors on the website which is first class.

Anyway you and your husband take care and thanks again.

Marvin

User

Posted 20 Feb 2022 at 22:07

Thanks Marvin, it’s a rollercoaster that’s for sure. Now we’ve made the decision, the surgery couldn’t come soon enough. Let us know how you get on on 4th 👍

User

Posted 21 Feb 2022 at 21:46

Hi Jeff P, love this advice and glad your surgery went well. I hope we have the same outcome 🤞 I’m sure there will be lots of questions post op too. I’m in the process of buying in everything that he will need so we are well prepared. Thanks

User

Posted 16 Mar 2022 at 10:59

Hi All

Just a quick update. I saw my consultant on 4 March 2022 and he ran through the radical prostatectomy procedure and reiterated either this option or the Hormone/Radiotherapy was open to me with a similar outcome. A difficult decision but I have opted for the Hormone treatment and radiotherapy. I started a three week course of Bicalutamide 50mg tablets on 9 March 2022 and had my first injection into my abdomen this morning. This injection lasts a month and then I get another on 13 April 2022 which lasts for 3 months. Spoke to the specialist nurse and after this I will get a PSA blood test to check if my PSA level has fallen. All being well and if my readings are down to a negligible level they will thereafter book my course of Radiotherapy. Not really looking forward to it but it has to be done. Anyway, hope everyone is well and take care.

Marvin

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User

Posted 19 Feb 2022 at 10:05

Hi Marvin,
It will come down to personal choice. A short sharp treatment with a few hours in hospital (surgery) or a longer, more gentle treatment with hormones and radio therapy. Pros and cons on both sides - but only you can make the choice. The outcome will be the same either way. Prostatectomy is a outine, but still a major procedure, with side effects such as incontinence, loss of a sex life etc. Hormone & radio therapy is spread out over several months, and has side effects too. Neither is an easy option, but you might prefer one over the other. Whichever you choose, best of luck.
Hermit

User

Posted 19 Feb 2022 at 14:29

Afternoon Marvin

- For me it was good to have a quick treatment and to, hopefully, have all of the cancer removed (scans etc had confirmed that the cancer was still contained within the capsule)

-You generally cannot have your prostate removed after RT but can have RT after having surgery

- RT can cause issues many, many years after having it.

- It was useful, for me, to know what the final grading and extent of the cancer was ( the prostate is diced and sliced after it is removed and a fully biopsy is undertaken)

Ivan

User

Posted 19 Feb 2022 at 14:42

Hello, we’re a little ahead of you in this ordeal. My husband was dx on 25th jan, following results of biopsy and MRI. His bone scan was also clear and he was offered HT with RT or RALP. We have decided on the latter, RALP which will be undertaken on 22nd March. He has 2 tumours so we felt “it was better out than in”. We are hoping for a positive outcome. Explore both options fully and don’t be afraid to ask any questions, no matter how insignificant they be. It’s better to be well informed. There is so much great advice on here and it’s really helping me to chat to those who have recently gone through what we are about to. It’s also of great comfort to message other wives. Hope your appt goes well.

User

Posted 19 Feb 2022 at 14:45

With a diagnosis of G3+3 your outlook is excellent no matter which treatment you choose, so it honestly does boil down to which set of side-effects you find less objectionable. Did the oncologist discuss the possibility of brachytherapy at all?

Best wishes,

Chris

User

Posted 20 Feb 2022 at 20:35

Hi Hermit

Thanks for your response. It is great to get a perspective from others who have been through or are going through a similar process. Once I have seen the consultant on 4 March I will have all the information on both the procedures I have been offered. As you say their are pros and cons for both options and I will let everyone know once I have made a decision.

Marvin

User

Posted 20 Feb 2022 at 20:46

Thanks for your response. I am glad to hear your surgery went well. Thank you also for the detailed history and information which is all very useful in considering what treatment to have. As somebody else pointed out whilst nobody wants diagnosed with prostate cancer my own diagnosis of a Gleason 6 is the best outcome albeit due to my rising PSA level , family history I still require either Hormone therapy with Radiotherapy or a Radical Prostatectomy. Anyway once I have all the information after 4 March 2022 when I see the consultant I will have to make my decision. Thanks again

Marvin

User

Posted 20 Feb 2022 at 21:05

Hi Jayne P

Anyway you and your husband take care and thanks again.

Marvin

User

Posted 20 Feb 2022 at 21:52

Hi Chris

Thanks for your kind thoughts and perspective. As you say my diagnosis was the best to be expected for anyone being diagnosed with cancer. I was only offered the two options either HT with Radiotherapy or a Radical Prostatectomy. They didn’t mention brachytherapy but I will bring this up when I see the main consultant on 4 March 2022.

Thanks again.

Marvin

User

Posted 20 Feb 2022 at 22:07

Thanks Marvin, it’s a rollercoaster that’s for sure. Now we’ve made the decision, the surgery couldn’t come soon enough. Let us know how you get on on 4th 👍

User

Posted 20 Feb 2022 at 23:27

Hi Jayne,

I had my RALP on December 15th, and so far so good.

I got some awesome advice from my Urologist between the diagnosis and the operation, summarized as follows:

Educate yourself on all the outcomes and options (this site is such an amazing resource).

Get your body into the best shape it has ever been, loose the weight, and get yourself fighting fit.

Take your partner away for a romantic weekend and have a love fest.

Worked for me ..

User

Posted 21 Feb 2022 at 21:46

User

Posted 16 Mar 2022 at 10:59

Hi All

Marvin

User

Posted 16 Mar 2022 at 11:48

Glad things are moving Marvin.

It's fairly common to be on hormones about six months before RT. The RT isn't too bad just a lot of trips to the hospital. I don't know if you'll be having the traditional 37 fractions or the fewer but higher doses which are becoming more common.

Dave

User

Posted 16 Mar 2022 at 12:06

There are different ways of administering RT. The most usual is by External Beam.(EBRT) but Brachytherapy either using radioactive implanted seeds or by temporary placement of high radioactive probes. Brachytherapy is being used more frequently for suitable men as some comparisons show results are better than EBRT. However, not all hospitals are able to offer Brachytherapy. I suggest you investigate this possibility if this option has not been offered.

Barry

User

Posted 16 Mar 2022 at 16:53

Thanks Dave,

I think it is 5 weeks which would be 25 sessions but I will know more when my PSA is checked and I also have a telephone appointment with the Oncologist on 16 June 2022 when I should learn more. Anyway thanks for your comments and I will give an update when I know more.

Marvin

User

Posted 16 Mar 2022 at 16:58

Hi Barry,

Thanks for your comments. I have already investigated the Branchotherapy route with my consultant and apparently not suitable for me as my prostate is slightly enlarged. He quoted figures of 50 being the limit with mine being 60. Anyway I will update this thread when I have more information.

Thanks again Marvin

User

Posted 16 Mar 2022 at 18:38

I went down the HT/RT route and found it all pretty tolerable. Three years now since I finished RT and all's well. Very best wishes for your treatment.

Chris

User

Posted 16 Mar 2022 at 18:56

Hi Marvin, Prostate UK do some very informative leaflets.

User

Posted 16 Mar 2022 at 19:44

Thanks Chris

Nice to know about your experience and outcome. I will keep the forum updated.

Thanks for your good wishes and take care.

Marvin

User

Posted 16 Mar 2022 at 19:48

Thanks I have read some leaflets but will have a look at the Prostate Uk website.

Thanks again Marvin

User

Posted 08 May 2022 at 14:43

Just a quick update. Booked for PSA blood check 26 May 2022 and hopefully down to a negligible level. I have a telephone appointment with the oncologist on 2 June 2022 and if all is well they will book the course of radiotherapy for early July. Spoke to specialist nurse who confirmed plan is for 20 doses of radiotherapy Monday to Friday. I am still on the hormone therapy with a course of tablets followed by a Prostrap injection on 16 March which lasted for 1 month and one on 13 April 2022 which lasts 3 months. I am managing not too badly with the hormone therapy.

Anyway, hope you are all well and taking care and I will update you once I have spoken to the oncologist.

Regards Marvin

User

Posted 08 May 2022 at 16:07

Hi Marvin,

Hope it all works out well for you.

You seem in good spirits. I went down the same route, I had no choice. Lots of info on my blog (address in profile). Not an easy read but every guy is different and will react differently to the treatment. The RT was great...there's even videos of me getting zapped...it really shows how easy and quick it all is. More than two months on and no problems at all.

Best wishes

Steve

Blog: prostatecancer.vivatek.co.uk

User

Posted 08 May 2022 at 17:20

Steve

Thanks for that information very useful and I will definitely look at your blog. I have tried to remain positive because I am where I am and there is l nothing I could do to prevent my diagnosis. Doing as much walking as I can and still attending my karate club as often as I can. It is good to get a perspective from those who have been through the treatment and nice to hear yours went well. Thanks for responding to my post .

Marvin

User

Posted 06 Jun 2022 at 00:02

Hi All,

Hope everyone is keeping well. Just a quick update as I had a PSA blood test on 26 May 2022 and a telephone appointment with my oncologist on 2 June 2022, when she updated me on my PSA level which was 1.9 which she was pleased with. She is going to keep me on hormone therapy for another 3 months as I have an enlarged prostate and she wants this to be as small as possible prior to radiotherapy. She explained that the smaller the prostate the less chance there is of too many side effects. Anyway, the plan is for a further PSA blood test in 3 months with radiotherapy after that. Having read up on this it is apparently quite common for 6 months of hormone treatment before radiotherapy.

Any thoughts on the above would be much appreciated . Thanks and take care.

Marvin

User

Posted 06 Jun 2022 at 08:03

Hi Marvin

Thanks for the update. You seem to be in the system and well looked after.

The ADT will stop the cancer growing and even shrink it. And yes, the radiologist would want it to be at its smallest before the radiation treatment begins. So no rush. I hope the side effects you get are not too bad. Andrew Gabriel has his webinar on Surviving hormone therapy at 1400 Tuesday, 7th June,. I would say his presentation is excellent and essential viewing - info there you won't find in the standard brochure! And there's a new series of webinars from Prostate Cancer research UK starting this week. In both cases you can ask questions!

I'll try and find links for you.

Cheers

Steve.

"Surviving Hormone Therapy, by Andrew Gabriel, via Macmillan Cancer Rehab.

If you wish to attend, please email the Cancer Rehab Team at:

cancer.rehabilitation@nhs.net

Note: this event will be remote using Microsoft Teams."

And the new webinar series covering pretty much everything...

https://www.prostate-cancer-research.org.uk/what-to-expect/

Edited by member 06 Jun 2022 at 11:46 | Reason: Update

Steve

Blog: prostatecancer.vivatek.co.uk

User

Posted 08 Jun 2022 at 22:02

Thanks Steve for all that information and I will explore these webinars you mention. Unfortunately missed the one on Tuesday as busy with family matters. The side effects have not been too bad just the occasional hot flush and nothing much else. Doing a lot of walking to keep as fit as possible and take my mind off things. Anyway thanks again and I will give further updates in due course.

Marvin

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