Salvage prostatectomy the big decision

User

Posted 11 Jul 2026 at 15:38

Hello, I’m in the position where salvage prostatectomy has been suggested as a way forward with my treatment.

The initial brachytherapy was quite some years ago. I’m all too aware of the risk profile and its many variables. Recent clinical conversations have left me in one instance pretty confident and in another quite otherwise.

I’d be very grateful to hear views from other who may be in this position or have elected to have the surgery.

User

Posted 12 Jul 2026 at 14:41

Hi R&H,

I have not been in your position as I went straight to a prostatectomy, so I can't offer much advice. However, to keep this thread near the top of the 'recent conversations' list I have replied and so hope someone with the relevant experience does reply.

Equally, I don't know how to search on here, but hopefully someone can put that information in a reply. Then you might be able to find more information on your specific topic.

User

Posted 12 Jul 2026 at 14:49

You could read this thread which is ongoing https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t15752-Biochemical-Recurrence-and-Salvage-Prostatectomy

Edited by member 12 Jul 2026 at 14:52 | Reason: to highlight link

Barry

User

Posted 12 Jul 2026 at 15:08

Many thanks Barry that was kind of you.
I’m new here so spent some yesterday looking around and I’d found that thread.

User

Posted 12 Jul 2026 at 15:10

Thanks Paul ,

I’d been looking around and I did in the end find a conversation that was relevant .

Richard

User

Posted 13 Jul 2026 at 09:40

There are quite a number of salvage options now which didn't exist a few years ago. This depends heavily on the type/grade and position of cancer in the prostate, and your own attitude to risk. I don't know where you're being treated, but this is quite a specialist area and I would suggest getting referred to somewhere which does most of the treatments, such as UCLH, so they can suggest all which are appropriate for your case with their pros and cons.

Some more recent options are the focal therapies if the recurrence is focal, including in this case focal brachytherapy. Salvage radiotherapy after failed radical radiotherapy is also something considered nowadays providing there's been a reasonable time since the radical radiotherapy.

If you do go with salvage prostatectomy, many hospitals (certainly in the south) will recommend referral to a particular specialist surgeon in salvage prostatectomy at Guy's and St.Thomas's.

User

Posted 13 Jul 2026 at 09:59

Hi Andy, thanks for your reply.

It was a possibility that I may have been a candidate for cryo focal therapy. After the biopsy that was ruled out. Salvage brachytherapy in a very considered opinion was thought too risky. Hence its surgery or hormones. I’ve had two very serious conversations and the best option is as you suggest Guy’s. It was a while ago that the last scans were done so re imaging is hopefully sometime soon.

Richard

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