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Treatment Advice for my Dad

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User
Posted 30 Nov 2022 at 19:56

 


Hi All, 


 


My Dad has been diagnosed with localised prostate cancer ( Gleason 6 & 7 ) and has a been offered a few different treatment options.  Surgery, radiotherapy and focal therapy - HIFU.             


 


He has read up on each  treatment and spoken to professional consultants - but we think hearing from somebody with lived experience would be invaluable. 


 


He'd be keen to know the following: 


 


Has your chosen treatment gotten rid of the cancer cells ? 


 


Has your PSA dropped as a result of treatment?   


    


Did you experience any side effects? 


 


How long did it take to fully recover from treatment?                          


 


Would you recommend your choice of treatment ?

User
Posted 30 Nov 2022 at 22:08

Hi James,


My husband at 73 had prostatectomy. They removed his prostate and 14 lymph nodes….one had cancer in. He had 50% nerves spared.
He’s 11 months post op and he has an undetectable PSA. He recovered extremely well from the op. He is completely continent (except maybe when having far too much to drink) he does suffer with ED but it is improving. He hasn’t had any medication to help ie viagra/cialis and has just used a vacuum pump very occasionally. 


We had lots of confidence in our surgeon and really happy how things have gone and would do the same again. This of course is only our experience and there are others who haven’t had as good an experience and struggle with side effects.


My husbands cancer had spread out of the prostate so a lot wouldn’t recommend surgery because you are likely to need Radiotherapy aswell. Luckily this hasn’t happened yet but we know it could in the future. I think the figure is around 30% of men have a recurrence after surgery even if it is deemed to be contained (of course this means 70% don’t and get on with their lives).


All the details are on my profile and link to our thread if you’re interested.


I’m sure lots of others with come on with their experiences of different treatments too.


Wishing your dad the best of luck 


 

User
Posted 30 Nov 2022 at 22:11

The treatments are very similar in terms of success rate and side effects - for each man who posts that he had a good outcome there will be another who didn't. On average, about 30% of men have a recurrence after primary treatment. HIFU has a lower risk of side effects but is more likely to need further treatment.


It is going to be difficult for anyone to give you meaningful information without knowing dad's full diagnosis.

Edited by member 30 Nov 2022 at 22:12  | Reason: Not specified

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 30 Nov 2022 at 22:40
Too many questions! As LynEyre says, every treatment gives side effects to a greater or lesser extent, and a likelihood of recurrence, and you can't know in advance what the answer is for a particular patient. Some lucky men have shortlived side effects which quickly resolve, others have longlasting continence or ED issues. Many have recurrence at some stage.

Your father's doctors may be able to advise based on his specific situation.

For me: my surgery six years ago took me about a year to recover from, and I was left with mild incontinence (some leakage/urgency problems usually managed by a single pad each day so tolerable but not ideal) and erectile function OK but not like previously. After about 3 years there were the first signs of PSA rising again and I had salvage radiotherapy this summer. That had a mild effect on incontinence which I am getting over 3 months later, but I am still waiting for the hormone therapy (an accompaniment to radiotherapy) to wear off so I don't know where erectile function will end up.
User
Posted 01 Dec 2022 at 09:11
Both surgery and radiotherapy have excellent long-term success rates, so it basically comes down to which set of side-effects your Dad finds less objectionable. Every form of cancer treatment has side-effects and both surgery and RT change you for life. HIFU and other focal therapies have fewer side-effects, but tend to need repeating.

There's no best answer here; it's down to personal preference.

Your language usage rather suggests that you may not be in the UK. If you aren't, financial considerations may also be a factor.

Best wishes,

Chris
User
Posted 01 Dec 2022 at 09:52

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
Both surgery and radiotherapy have excellent long-term success rates, so it basically comes down to which set of side-effects your Dad finds less objectionable. Every form of cancer treatment has side-effects and both surgery and RT change you for life. HIFU and other focal therapies have fewer side-effects, but tend to need repeating.

There's no best answer here; it's down to personal preference.

Your language usage rather suggests that you may not be in the UK. If you aren't, financial considerations may also be a factor.

Best wishes,

Chris

Yes, Gotten, usually means an American 😅, though profile is UK ? - The Gleason score needs more info (3+4 or 4+3), more details would help, the helpers....

Edited by member 01 Dec 2022 at 09:59  | Reason: Not specified

 
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