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RT Vs surgery

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User
Posted 12 Aug 2022 at 10:49

Hi, I'm a new poster so forgive me if I'm asking stupid questions.

To start off, I'm 67, just diagnosed with prostate cancer, Gleason score 7 (4+3), and T3a. I had a mesh hernia repair about 20 years ago, and the surgeon said that may make things a little trickier to operate robotically. I opted for RT and I'm now on hormones. I'm waiting anxiously for the results of a bone scan to see if the cancer has spread, and a CT scan next week. Just rang about the bone scan, the consultant is working from home, and my specialist nurse is of until Monday. Surely some one else can give the results to me?

I'm still not sure if I've made the correct decision with regards to the treatment, or even if there is a right or wrong.

 

 

User
Posted 12 Aug 2022 at 21:49
Hi JC

My understanding is until you have had all the tests and scans you can’t make an informed decision and until the medics have all your results and your case is discussed at an MDT they can’t advise? That is the norm anyhow and what happened in our case..........

As Gaz has said, both surgery and RT have the same outcome so it comes down to personal choice. No right or wrong........ It’s a difficult one that’s for sure. If you really are leaning towards RP, I would want to know how difficult the surgery would be robotically (due to your previous hernia op) and if it is an option or not. These are the experts after all. I totally sympathise about the anxiety (I call it scanxiety), the wait is just the worst. Hope you get good results early next week and you can then plan a way forward. X

User
Posted 12 Aug 2022 at 22:40
The bone scan has to be assessed by a radiographer and then the results are sent to the urologist to be interpreted. It is usually then discussed at a multi-disciplinary meeting which will include at least one oncologist. They may wait until after the CT scan and then discuss both sets of results at the same meeting. It is always difficult waiting for results but it isn't as simple as someone just telling you.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 12 Aug 2022 at 22:42
PS - Jayney, generally speaking, a man with a mesh repair cannot have keyhole RP but may be suitable for open surgery, depending on the position of the mesh.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

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User
Posted 12 Aug 2022 at 12:48

Both prosectomy and radiotherapy give similar results just what treatment you are happy with I went rt/ht route 2years on psa remaining at 0.01 from 24.9 was Gleason 9 more or less back to normal just occasionally bit off mucus but no real problems up to now good luck whatever your choice 

User
Posted 12 Aug 2022 at 12:50

Forgot to say my bone scan was clear on diagnosis gaz 👍

User
Posted 12 Aug 2022 at 16:37
Many thanks for the prompt reply. Very anxious about the bone scan.
User
Posted 12 Aug 2022 at 21:49
Hi JC

My understanding is until you have had all the tests and scans you can’t make an informed decision and until the medics have all your results and your case is discussed at an MDT they can’t advise? That is the norm anyhow and what happened in our case..........

As Gaz has said, both surgery and RT have the same outcome so it comes down to personal choice. No right or wrong........ It’s a difficult one that’s for sure. If you really are leaning towards RP, I would want to know how difficult the surgery would be robotically (due to your previous hernia op) and if it is an option or not. These are the experts after all. I totally sympathise about the anxiety (I call it scanxiety), the wait is just the worst. Hope you get good results early next week and you can then plan a way forward. X

User
Posted 12 Aug 2022 at 22:40
The bone scan has to be assessed by a radiographer and then the results are sent to the urologist to be interpreted. It is usually then discussed at a multi-disciplinary meeting which will include at least one oncologist. They may wait until after the CT scan and then discuss both sets of results at the same meeting. It is always difficult waiting for results but it isn't as simple as someone just telling you.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 12 Aug 2022 at 22:42
PS - Jayney, generally speaking, a man with a mesh repair cannot have keyhole RP but may be suitable for open surgery, depending on the position of the mesh.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 13 Aug 2022 at 07:35

Many thanks for the replies. 

I'm not sure if my path was the usual one: about 2 weeks after the biopsy, I saw a nurse who told me yes it was cancer and the scores, and the choices I had. Two days later I saw a surgeon, who said it was 50/50 which way to go, re RT or surgery, but with the hernia mesh it may be trickier to operate. I opted for RT, he then gave me a script for hormone tablets, and I had an injection 2 weeks later. About 4/6 weeks after that, I saw the oncologist who ordered the bone scan and CT. I have RT due to start late September.

(Came across this recently...Worry about prostate, perhaps; it's a dangerous world(8)

 

 

Gangland)

 

 
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