Knowing what to expect?

Thanks for the quick response Lyn - glass half empty kind of guy - understand I need solid conformation - I could have had the biopsy next Tue but can’t as need to pick mum up from hospital after hip opp - so it is now on the 28th - now thinking I should have got someone else to pick her up  - is 7 days going to make much difference - not sure how fast this cancer grows and spreads - lots to learn - thanks for replying - Gary 

Hello Chris - thanks for responding- no this is all new - had MRI which they have said possible 4+4  - biopsy booked for 28th - anxiety is at 100% - of course I think the absolute worst - but puzzled since PSA is relatively low and have regular smooth prostate but enlarged - something is up for sure but not sure at what stage I am - just have to wait - it does help talking to people though - Rgds Gary 

Gary, seven days is going to make absolutely no difference. Prostate cancer grows very slowly, so you could wait for a month for your biopsy and still make no difference, especially since your PSA is low. Now you are on the 'conveyor' of diagnosis and treatment, try not to stress too much. Things will happen when they need to happen. When I was first investigated, it was several weeks from first seeing my GP to having the diagnosis confirmed, via Digital Rectal Examination, MRI and a bone scan. Hormone therapy lasted 7 months before my radiotherapy started. The whole thing, start to finish, lasted 8 months. It would have been less - a matter of 7-8 weeks - if I had opted for prostatectomy. It's easy for me to say 'Don't panic', but that's my best advice. Just take things one step at a time. Best of luck,

Hermit

Edited by member 19 Jun 2022 at 09:24  | Reason: Not specified

Hermit Thank you for your support in responding - may I ask why you did not opt for a prostatectomy? Rgds Gary

Hello Gary,
The surgeon offered me the option of robotic assisted prostatectomy within 3-4 weeks, and the oncologist offered me the choice of hormone therapy followed by radio therapy. I was given a couple of weeks to think about it. I opted for the hormone and radio therapy because I just did not like the idea of surgery and the certainty of incontinence (however temporary). I checked with Macmillan about the odds of incontinence and a nurse told me 'It is 100% certain, because of what happens during the operation'. H/t and r/t also have their inconveniences, but seemed a gentler way of achieving the same outcome, which was 'curative'. I also asked about watching and waiting, but was told 'You will just have to make the decision 6 months down the line, when the cancer will have had 6 months to spread - better to do it now'.
So, once you have the list of options open to you (which vary depending on how advanced the cancer is, and where it is, and if it has spread), you pay your money and you take your choice. Surgery or r/t & h/t - if both are offered, the outcomes will be more or less the same, so it's just down to which you fancy the least!

Edited by member 19 Jun 2022 at 18:06  | Reason: Not specified

Yes see suggestion on this aspect to another member here in my last post today (19/06/22) https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t28267-Radiotherapy-following-chemo 

Edited by member 19 Jun 2022 at 16:17  | Reason: clarification