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User
Posted 27 Sep 2026 at 17:00

Good afternoon - and thanks for allowing me to join.

I had a PSA test back in April and it came out at 6.18. Never been above 4 the previous 4 years. GP referred me to Southend Hospital - Urology. All the various scans, blood tests, examinations, etc etc. Now at the point of taking hormone tablets for last fortnight. Should get latest MRI results tomorrow when I see oncology consultant for second time. A twist in all of this: met my urology surgeon two weeks ago. I had previously expressed reservations about surgery -  I am 75 and weak heart (ICD fitted and been shocked twice).

However, surgeon was really reassuring and I may be accepted for a new trial - President. It's about to begin and will have 749 men where cancer cells have escaped the prostate and are also in the pelvic area. My category is Gleason 3+4= 7. The trial is a £3million grant and being managed by Oxford University Hospital. My question: Is anyone else here heard about President? And have you been invited to take part?

Thank you.

User
Posted 28 Sep 2026 at 10:27
Thanks, Adrian. Hopefully, with the results of the second MRI to be discussed today with oncology, I might have a clearer picture of possible treatments.
User
Posted 28 Sep 2026 at 10:53
Adrian - thanks for link to professor's YouTube. Really useful info before I go into Oncology later.
User
Posted 29 Sep 2026 at 09:21

Great post by Adrian with YouTube link. Prof PS (nickname) is one of the UK’s leading robotic surgeons. He used to work with Prof Whocantbenamedonhere who did my surgery. Both world class high volume surgeons in my view.

User
Posted 29 Sep 2026 at 11:44
Good meeting yesterday with Oncology Consultant at Southend Hospital. Second MRI she ordered has confirmed no further spread. So, sticking with original plan of hormone tablets for now. Second PSA test first week of December and another appointment with her second week of December.

She has arranged for me to see the consultant in charge of a radiography trial that Southend Hospital is taking part in. I will received x-ray treatment in the New Year - 20 sessions, so four weeks, Monday-Friday.

So no surgery, which I am pleased about. At 75 , weak heart, and waiting for a replacement ICD sometime before Christmas, I can relax a bit.

Can I just say "thank you" to everyone in this forum who replied to my original post. All your support and info has really helped me and my wife to understand more of what's involved.

And I cannot praise all the departments at Southend Hospital highly enough. Every member of staff in every department has been brilliant in caring for me, answering lots of questions and showing real empathy.

Roll on Christmas and 2027 :-)

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User
Posted 27 Sep 2026 at 19:38
Hi FreddieD,

I haven't heard of the President trial, so can't answer your question but I am in the Southend area and am still under Oncology at Southend. If you click on my name you will see my cancer journey.

If there is anything you need to know or even if you just fancy a chat then please contact me.

User
Posted 27 Sep 2026 at 20:44

The PRESIDENT trial is for metastatic men, to see if prostatectomy helps extend life. Prostatectomy is not currently offered to metastatic patients, although radiotherapy is in the case of a low tumor burden (only a small number of mets). Unfortunately, the published paper for the trial is paywalled, so I haven't read them (not a good policy for a trial), so I don't know the trial details.

You definitely want to talk with oncology first, about what treatments they would offer. You haven't said what your diagnosis is, but some metastatic cases can be cured by radiotherapy, whereas that's never going to be the case with prostatectomy.

Also, 75 is the usual cut-off age for prostatectomy on the NHS (although it's not a hard limit). Generally speaking, the further over 70 you are, the more challenging it is to recover from a prostatectomy, and they usually won't go past 75. Prostatectomy can have significant side effects, and I'm dubious about suggesting someone take this on as a non-curative treatment - that doesn't sound to me like a good balance of risk/reward, although it is possible the trial might extend life (that's what it's looking in to).

User
Posted 28 Sep 2026 at 09:18
Thanks for info, Andy, I'll get more info when I see oncology later today and will update here.
User
Posted 28 Sep 2026 at 09:20

Thanks, Paul. I'll hopefully have more detailed info after meeting oncology later today, so will post an update later.

User
Posted 28 Sep 2026 at 09:39

Hi, FreddieD.

Welcome to the forum, mate.

Here's a short video by the professor leading the trial.

https://youtu.be/mlg3IZ5OKRU?is=Ad3hkoWxF7qHdJmR

The trial results won't be available for 82 months.

 I suspect that any team conducting such a trial would be relatively confident in improved outcomes. In this case, increased longevity and a better quality of life of those in your condition.

My only doubt, in your case, is your suitability, for prostatectomy. I had a bit of a dodgy heart, and despite being ten years younger than you, I had great difficulty in convincing them that I was fit for robotic surgery. I had to resort to getting my cardiologist to fight my corner. I sailed through the operation and had no problems at all, but only two months later suffered a minor heart attack. I still don't know whether it had anything thing to do with the prostate treatment.

It may be a case of balancing risk v reward. On the downside you've got the risk involved with surgery and the likely side effects against possible benefits of a longer life and better quality of life.

I suppose, if on the trial, one of the great benefits would be that you'd be thoroughly monitored. It seems to me, from posts by others on here in a similar position to you, that they sometimes have difficulties in getting the necessary scans to check how they are doing.

If you are deemed suitable for the trial,  I'd suggest having an in depth conversation with those conducting it, about the advantages/disadvantages, especially for someone of your age with a heart condition.

Good luck, mate. 👍

Edited by member 28 Sep 2026 at 10:11  | Reason: Additional text

User
Posted 28 Sep 2026 at 10:27
Thanks, Adrian. Hopefully, with the results of the second MRI to be discussed today with oncology, I might have a clearer picture of possible treatments.
User
Posted 28 Sep 2026 at 10:53
Adrian - thanks for link to professor's YouTube. Really useful info before I go into Oncology later.
User
Posted 29 Sep 2026 at 09:21

Great post by Adrian with YouTube link. Prof PS (nickname) is one of the UK’s leading robotic surgeons. He used to work with Prof Whocantbenamedonhere who did my surgery. Both world class high volume surgeons in my view.

User
Posted 29 Sep 2026 at 11:44
Good meeting yesterday with Oncology Consultant at Southend Hospital. Second MRI she ordered has confirmed no further spread. So, sticking with original plan of hormone tablets for now. Second PSA test first week of December and another appointment with her second week of December.

She has arranged for me to see the consultant in charge of a radiography trial that Southend Hospital is taking part in. I will received x-ray treatment in the New Year - 20 sessions, so four weeks, Monday-Friday.

So no surgery, which I am pleased about. At 75 , weak heart, and waiting for a replacement ICD sometime before Christmas, I can relax a bit.

Can I just say "thank you" to everyone in this forum who replied to my original post. All your support and info has really helped me and my wife to understand more of what's involved.

And I cannot praise all the departments at Southend Hospital highly enough. Every member of staff in every department has been brilliant in caring for me, answering lots of questions and showing real empathy.

Roll on Christmas and 2027 :-)

 
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