Treatment Advice for my Dad

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 

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.