My mind is made up - I Think !! - Being diagnosed with prostate cancer

User

Posted 11 Nov 2024 at 22:40

Had trouble with the waterworks for a few years now, and have been insisting that they check my PSA for quite a few years. They have always asked why I want it checked and I have always told them that my brother, cousin and uncle have all had prostate cancer, so they have tested and my readings were always low-ish. My waterworks problems have been getting worse of late so they tested and still found my reading at 3.21 which for a 71 year old is low. However they sent me for a flow test and an ultra sound scan where they found my prostate to be almost 4x enlarged, and so sent me for an MRI. The results came back indicating nodules and a hard core of 17mm. Since then I had 24 biopsies and have just received the news that I have prostate cancer. The biopsy indicate that the cancer is not aggressive at the moment and they have given me lots of books giving me the options that I may take, should the options be put before me. I have indicated to them that I would just like my prostate removed, to avoid further developments like those that arose with my male family members. I feel that had I not pursued and pushed to have the relevant tests done, that I may well have discovered the cancer too late. I feel that I can't be the only one who has been going through this, and what do people think about just removing the problem before anything more aggressive begins. The last thing that I want to do at 71 is to begin a long series of medical procedures which may end up with the same result anyway.

User

Posted 12 Nov 2024 at 10:12

Dave , I would be interested to know more about your waterworks problems. In hindsight my terminal dribbling was probably an indicator that something was wrong.

Good luck with your choice of treatment.

Thanks Chris

User

Posted 12 Nov 2024 at 10:16

Hi Dave,

I'm sorry that you've had to join us but welcome to the forum.

Your PSA is relatively low, especially as you have a very enlarged prostate. You've had a 24 core biopsy. It would be helpful if, from it, you could tell us your Gleason score and cancer staging. They are important factors when deciding on treatment options

If you've got low grade, low volume, prostate confined disease. You may be offered active surveillance. Which means that you'd be periodically monitored to check for any signs of disease progression.

I initially started on AS, but unfortunately my disease progressed and I later opted for surgery.

You've indicated that you'd like surgery to avoid further developments and incase the cancer becomes more aggressive. It is possible that if your cancer is low grade it won't cause any problems. The problem with any radical treatments are they will almost certainly cause side effects.

I appreciate that your family history of the disease will cause you concern and may influence your treatment decision.

Best of luck mate.

User

Posted 12 Nov 2024 at 10:55

my Gleason score is 7 (3+4) at the time of the biopsy. They said that there were a number of them that had signs of cancer from different parts. My brother had a medium result when he had his first biopsy, which by the time they did a third biopsy, had become aggressive and they just removed it before it had broken out, this resulted in them taken lymph nodes to ensure no spread. I am of the mind that because of 3 generations of males from my maternal side of the family, having all had this before me, that I will be more confident having it removed. I understand the side effects of the operation but with the problems of an enlarged prostate, pressing against my bladder, bowel and urethra, I have had problems with dribbling, not being able to pee, then times when I just couldn't hold it in time to reach a toilet. This also caused ED, so the prospect of having the operation and getting rid of any imminent cancer break out is far more important to me than the side effects that may follow. I know that I could possibly live with it and not require any intervention (like my uncle who had it, but was too old for them to operate) as he passed at 102 years young. Because it seems to be 'in the family' I have encouraged my 2 sons to make enquiries about getting tested.

User

Posted 12 Nov 2024 at 11:29

Hi again Dave.

The disease runs in my family, my dad, and younger brother both had it. Like you I have two sons and have warned them that they are probably more at risk.

My dad was diagnosed in his late seventies, but he had showed symptoms many years before. I think that he was deemed too old for radical treatment. He lasted for 8 years. He never did tell me what his initial diagnosis was but I took him for a bone scan 2 weeks before he passed away and he was riddled with it.

My younger brother who was diagnosed 3 years before me with Gleason 7 (3+4), had RT and HT he appears to being doing OK.

I think, rather than surgery, if the 5 session RT without HT had been available to me that's the option I'd have taken.

Edited by member 12 Nov 2024 at 11:31 | Reason: Typo

User

Posted 12 Nov 2024 at 14:21

I can see the reasons for the new options, but I think for my own peace of mind and my wife (who is due in for an hysterectomy) I believe that I will manage the side effects much better with the whole lot removed, being in my seventies, I could think of nothing worse than having to keep going back for more treatments and hoping that it doesn't get any worse, like my brother's did.

User

Posted 12 Nov 2024 at 18:53

Hi Dave,

I think you need to factor in that there are no guarantees. I am late 70s and had my prostate removed three years ago. My rationale was similar to yours. Unfortunately, I am one an of the 30% or so of guys who, despite an apparently successful operation, require salvage treatment. Good luck with whatever route you take and I hope it will give you a lasting cure.

Peter

User

Posted 12 Nov 2024 at 20:07

Dave,

If Surgery is your decision, research your Surgeon for their experience in the number of procedures and their technique as some are better than others in minimizing potential incontinence and ED issues. Research

Puboprostatic ligament sparing

nerve sparing

Retzius sparing

Single port versus multiple port

Notification

My mind is made up - I Think !!

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