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Treatments on offer

User
Posted 18 Aug 2025 at 15:18

hi

I was diagnosed with PC on May 25. After my biopsy I was given a Gleason score of 3 +3 which meant the only treatment on offer from my Trust was Active Surveillance. I was not happy with the treatment on offer and asked to be referred to UCLH for possible acceptance for focal therapy ( Nano Knife ). I was offered the chance of treatment but had to go to London for a targeted Biopsy. The results came back with a Gleason 3+4, which meant the treatment on offer would be Cryotherapy, this is due to the position and size of the cancer. I asked if RARP could be offered, the answer was yes but I could only have this at my local Trust.

With this new info, I went back to my trust for further consideration due to the increased Gleason score. The Trust group met and decided to stick with the original treatment of AS. I am not happy with this news, what is the point of catching it early if they won't treat it.

For the time being I am considering the offer from UCLH. My hesitation is due to the complications with Salvage treatment on recurrence. Has anyone experienced cryotherapy?  Any advice? Would be welcome 

User
Posted 18 Aug 2025 at 17:02

Hi Thanos.

I'm sorry that you've had to join our Club, but welcome to the forum, mate.

View this video it describes all treatment options and possible side effects of each.

https://youtu.be/zYTU94-8pTc?si=1Z29_l8rbTwF6DHl

Good luck, mate. 👍

User
Posted 18 Aug 2025 at 19:20

Which country do you live in?

If it's England, then you have a right to be treated by any NHS hospital in England which is willing to accept you.

User
Posted 18 Aug 2025 at 20:53

Hi

I live in England and UCLH has told me radical therapy must be done by your Trust. In my case, my Trust does not offer any treatment but AS.

Thanks for the reply

User
Posted 19 Aug 2025 at 00:18

I note that your local Trust will not do a Prostatectomy and nor will UCLH in your case. However, it seems you are prepared to have it in London, so could try another of the main hospitals there. We have had several members speak well of Guys for example.

Cryotherapy is not often mentioned in the UK but is done more frequently in the USA. I knew somebody who had it and it was successful in treating his cancer but when I last met him in London about a year after the procedure, he was still struggling with ED.

 

Edited by member 19 Aug 2025 at 12:05  | Reason: Not specified

Barry
User
Posted 21 Aug 2025 at 14:00
I live in Lancashire - I was 3+4 with 16 positive samples and a psa of 40 - they said the cancer was contained within the prostate and my oncologist immediately started me on HT followed by RT after 3 months- he said that was the correct and only option for me - now 3 months after Rt , and 8 months on HT ( unpleasant but better that the alternative! ) my psa is down to 0.2 . That was through Blackpool Victoria hospital with treatment at Preston.
User
Posted 29 Aug 2025 at 15:26
which ht?
User
Posted 29 Aug 2025 at 16:30

Prostap 3 DCS - stomach injection every 12 weeks 

User
Posted 30 Aug 2025 at 03:10

Quote:
Thanos;30990

With this new info, I went back to my trust for further consideration due to the increased Gleason score. The Trust group met and decided to stick with the original treatment of AS. I am not happy with this news, what is the point of catching it early if they won't treat it.

The diagnosis at your original hospital gave a Gleason of 3+3]6, which many consultants consider is not sufficiently mutated from normal to be considered cancer.  The general recommendation is for men diagnosed with these figures, is to be actively monitored,  thereby avoiding, for at least some time or maybe even permanently, potential side effects of having radical treatment. However, the 3+4 grading given by UCLH does increase the risk, but your original hospital still considers AS being most suitable for you at present .  As I suggested previously, if you are intent on surgery, try another highly regarded hospital as you are supposed to be able to be treated in a hospital of your choice.

Barry
User
Posted 08 Sep 2025 at 15:02

Hi

My Trust is St.Helens on Merseyside

User
Posted 08 Sep 2025 at 15:05

Hi, thanks for the reply

I can't understand why your treatment was the only option 

 

 

 

User
Posted 08 Sep 2025 at 18:16

Why was that your only option.   Wasn’t surgery offered 

 

 

User
Posted 09 Sep 2025 at 17:35
Hi Thanos, I'm a newbie too - 58, awaiting guided biopsy results in the coming weeks. MRI suggests likely cancer in both sides but contained, PSA of 6. The best outcome for me, will be AS and then decide on next steps as the months (or years) roll by.

I've done some research, but still fighting through the jargon and options. Targeted treatments like cryo appear to be unusual - London-centric and only a few thousand have been treated in each of the three types of focus treatment (as I've read). I'm very interested in these options but there are side effects with every option - incontinence and erectile dysfunction in the short term and serious risk of them in the longer term. And the impact on worsening later treatment success if the cancer returns are serious indeed.

At 73, there's a reasonable chance you'll die with prostate cancer, and not from it. That was my uncle's outcome, who died at 78 (heart disease) with prostate cancer. And that is guiding my reasoning that every year or month without treatment (I stress this is for me, we all react differently), will be that much longer without having to wear a catheter, pee pads and or worry about penis pumps and viagra etc. I arrange the care for my 90-year-old dad and 88-year-old mother- urinary incontinence is a daily and sometimes overwhelming issue to manage.

I ran your original post through the ChatGPT AI agent (www.chatgpt.com). It very calmly sets out the options for you in plain English. Don't take it all at face value - maybe digest what it says if you choose to use it, and come back here to discuss? I'd also rediscuss any outputs with your local hospital consultants too.

 
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