Life's full of choices

37chief · Apr 5, 2018

A couple weeks ago I had a biopsy of my prostate for cancer. It came back positive. News I didn't to hear. Since Dad had it, and my uncle had it, I was fairly certain I was in line for it. Anyway the doctor said I caught it in the very early stage, which is good. He had several options. Do nothing, and have the cancer spread to other organs. (no to that) next choice is to have the prostate removed, and have one in 5 chances to never being able to control my bladder, meaning probably wearing some sort of pad. Then having 6 weeks of recovery. Or 5 days of radiation treatment a little over an hour each time, with few side affects, which is just as good to kill the cancer. So that's what I picked for my choice. Anyone had the radiation treatment? How did it go? I'm glad to live in a country with excellent health care. All you guys out there get it checked yearly, and catch any problem early. My story, Stan

Charlie M · Apr 5, 2018

My father in law was being treated for prostrate cancer when I met my wife 43 years ago and he was treated with radiation. He was in his early 60's when diagnosed. I know he hated the treatments and when finished said he wouldn't go back for a final check up as at the point he didn't think it was worth finding he still had it and to go through the treatments again. He lived to be 88 and died of old age.

grizz02 · Apr 5, 2018

first don't panic, how old are you? if you are in your 70s or 80s I would not worry about it, but I have a friend that had the radiation for 2 months and kept working so far all is good .

Doc8246 · Apr 5, 2018

In 2002 I had radiation treatments and radiation seed implants to treat prostate cancer with very few side affects. My PSA level on 1 / 4 / 18 was 0. 06. Would do it again in a heartbeat. Best of luck. Ron

pat sublett · Apr 5, 2018

I was diagnosed with prostrate cancer 10 years ago. Ironically I had 3 friends diagnosed within a few weeks. They are all three dead. I went to an old urologist and he convinced me the only viable option was surgery. My three friends; one had cryosurgery, one had radiation the other was convinced that he could treat the symptoms with over the counter junk. All 3 died a horrible death with the cancer spreading to their bones. Yea I wear Depends and SXX is not what it use to be but, I live a pretty good life. The surgeon discouraged me , saying I was too old for radical surgery, at the advise of the Urologist, I insisted anyway. Had robotic surgery. I am very grateful that I did. No mater what you are told, It is nothing to play around with. Get it out. If it is contained, you are through with it.

flying belgian · Apr 5, 2018

From your description I believe you made the right choice. I would have done the same thing. Good luck.

Roger in Iowa · Apr 5, 2018

Had lathroscopic robotic surgery 10 years ago at 63. No chemo or radiation afterwords required. No incontinence, but have ED. Day and a half in the hospital. Would do it again. Practice Kegel(sp), shutting urine flow multiple times before any procedures to strengthen the muscle as it will help with incontinence after any procedure.

JMOR · Apr 5, 2018

Proton radiation is more precision guided & contained to very specific areas & results in less collateral damage than the common standard radiation. Not available in nearly as many locations around the country.

Perplexed · Apr 5, 2018

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer last Sept. You might want to read up on Tomo Therapy. [proton beam radiation] I had 45 treatments. Each treatment only lasted a few minutes with out much side affects. I'm also receiving lupron injections. My psa went way down after the treatments and the doctor said my prostate was much smaller. Don't know what the long term results will be, but at 75 I'm optimistic. Have a 90 year old neighbor who had his prostate removed 25 years a ago and said he had a bad time with incontinence. He said his doctor gave him an artificial sphincter valve and he has been fine since. Hope all goes well for you.

CKain(MI) · Apr 5, 2018

I too had a prostatectomy,via the daVinci robotic device. 10 yrs ago.(am now 75). No incontinence, no ED. but cancer cells had spread and my psa continued to rise. Had radiation for that,then Lupron treatments. That stopped the psa numbers ! also cause ED big time ! Good Luck.

Hammer house · Apr 5, 2018

I had 42 radiation treatment back in 1995, it only took about 15/18 min. After I finish my PSA was 0.08. That was good. It is still about the same. I do most any thing I want to do. I am 88 yr old now. Good luck.

Hammer Man

wolfman · Apr 5, 2018

You definitely want to check out Proton Beam cure. There are 27 proton therapy centers in the US and many worldwide. Google proton beam or google Proton bob. Proton beam is to conventional radiation as an Allis 185 is to a team of horses..Maybe google Loma Linda University Medical Center / Proton.

Eldon (WA) · Apr 5, 2018

Treatments are different for each individual. When treating prostate cancer there are many variables to consider such as your age, how many samples showed cancer, the chances that it has already spread beyond the prostate (positive margins), and how enlarged it is. It sounds like you just had a few biopsy samples that showed cancer based on the short radiation regimen. Radiation effects people in different ways, hope it goes well for you.

old bc · Apr 5, 2018

I had 25 days of radiation, seeds and hormone shots
in 1999. PSA is .01 as of this year.

JerryS · Apr 6, 2018

I had prostatectomy 17 years ago. Fortunately I don't have incontinence (although little accidents are not uncommon). Complete ED (which stands for 'Ended Dat'). At 77 you wouldn't think it matters, but it does.

I wasn't presented any viable options at the time, or at least they weren't presented in a viable way. Never heard of Proton until much later. I urge you to explore and study all your possibilities and rank them as they merit. I would as a matter of course put radical prostatectomy as the last choice.

MarkB_MI · Apr 6, 2018

My brother-in-law was diagnosed with it about five years ago, had the radiation treatment and AFAIK hasn't had any problems since. He wanted to get proton therapy (a new kind of radiation therapy) but his insurance wouldn't cover it.

When he first had his diagnosis, I asked him "Which do you love more, your prostate or your cigarettes?" He didn't answer me, but as he still smokes I assume it's the latter.

jd30series · Apr 6, 2018

Having just been through this in 2017- yes there are many choices for treatment. One thing I did learn- every case is different. There are many great web sites that deal with this subject-by people who have been down this path-not Doctors. You will have to share your test numbers and results with them but the wealth of information is well worth the time. One worth exploring-- www.cancerforum.net/forums/14-Prostate-cancer-forum

Life's full of choices

37chief

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Charlie M

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grizz02

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Doc8246

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pat sublett

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flying belgian

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Roger in Iowa

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JMOR

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Perplexed

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CKain(MI)

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Hammer house

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wolfman

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Eldon (WA)

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old bc

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JerryS

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jd30series

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