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User
Posted 27 Sep 2016 at 14:14
Finally had a biopsy....results were grade 3 on the right side in 5% of samples and grade 3 and 4 in 70% on the left side...PSA is 7.7

Having MRI Abdominal scan on Thursday and Bone Scan as well....

I think the problem is still localised so the way forward will be removal or radiotherapy....

I am drawn towards removal as that would also deal with my BPH that has been a nuisance now for several years....my prostate is 124 gms about the size of a lemon...

Not too worried really just glad to dealing with it all and hopefully get it behind me....

Any advice or comments on the surgery route as opposed to radiation please?...

Thanks, Paul....
User
Posted 27 Sep 2016 at 18:32

Hi Paul my choice was RP as RT would be available after if required as RP is very rarely done after RT , my gleason score was 4+3 =7 as yours, they did find margins and was offered early RT even with a undetectable PSA which I did have , it will be your choice .I feel fit and well do have ed but no other side effects and last test 18 months on still undetectable .all the best Andy

User
Posted 27 Sep 2016 at 19:45

Hi Paul,

My OP is Thursday so I will be able to give some idea of what to expect as will others on here who have been through it, I chose surgery as nobody knows how aggressive the cancer is until they check it in a lab, also I think it is hard to have surgery after RT,
wishing you well 

Paul

User
Posted 27 Sep 2016 at 22:55
Hi Paul
All the best. See my profile. Depends on your fitness. General health. The long term success of RT or RP seems very similar. RT appears to more favourable outcomes re. ED. The op does have increased risk over RT. Ie you are under for 3hrs plus. Again depends if you are employed or live near hospital. . RT as you no doubt know does need sustained visits .. even if actual procedure takes 10 mins. My wife and I chewed it all over and I opted for RP. I may have been lucky with a very skilled surgeon. Full bladder control after catheter removal. I couldn't hoped for more. RT an option should PSA increase. ED work in progress . However nerves do regrow. Albeit slowly. I had no nerve sparing. My choice obviously however I was told those are the areas reoccurrence can occur. Who knows.. I assume you know there are other options than just RT and RP.. something we didn't really explore in detail.
User
Posted 28 Sep 2016 at 01:13

Hi Paul,

From my biopsy I was given a staging of T2a (organ confined) and I was expecting surgery. However, following MRI scan this was upgraded to T3A (locally advanced) and the surgeon was most reluctant to operate so I had RT instead. Hopefully, yours will still be considered confined following MRI scan, though scans cannot be relied on 100% so surgery can reveal the cancer has spread more than was thought even from looking at MRI scan beforehand. From the 'Tool kit' and what you have read about the pros and cons of treatment you will decide which treatment option open to you to go for. Your enlarged Prostate could be a factor but seek your consultant's opinion on what he/she feels is best in your case.

Barry
User
Posted 05 Oct 2016 at 18:14

all the best Paul for your op Andy

User
Posted 06 Oct 2016 at 08:09

Hi Paul,

I have just had the OP exactly 1 week ago today, I too had quite a large prostate and only had 2 options, prostatectomy or RT, I decided on the OP as I wanted it out and as far as I know a lot of surgeons will not operate after RT, anyway the OP was nowhere near as bad as I had imagined it would be, the worst was the gas which they pump into you for access to the prostate, a few good farts and things were a lot better, catheter not really a problem it is nice not to have to get up at night, going to go out for a walk today, just take one step at a time there is no rush,

all the best for your OP,

Paul

User
Posted 18 Oct 2016 at 14:36

My leaking is a lot better today and I seem to be able to pass urine when I feel the need to go and only have a few leakage issues, although there is also some blood discharge, but not sure if that is because I am still very sore where the catheter had been inserted.


Had my first shower today and it was heaven, never thought I miss showering as much as I have done. Drove my car for the first time in three weeks so all progressing nicely. 


Will continue to use pads at night and during the day but hoping the progress continues to be rapid.


Good luck

Show Most Thanked Posts
User
Posted 27 Sep 2016 at 18:32

Hi Paul my choice was RP as RT would be available after if required as RP is very rarely done after RT , my gleason score was 4+3 =7 as yours, they did find margins and was offered early RT even with a undetectable PSA which I did have , it will be your choice .I feel fit and well do have ed but no other side effects and last test 18 months on still undetectable .all the best Andy

User
Posted 27 Sep 2016 at 19:42

Thanks Andy, you have given me confidence that I am going the right way. Hopefully all will be settled down fairly soon....Paul.

User
Posted 27 Sep 2016 at 19:45

Hi Paul,

My OP is Thursday so I will be able to give some idea of what to expect as will others on here who have been through it, I chose surgery as nobody knows how aggressive the cancer is until they check it in a lab, also I think it is hard to have surgery after RT,
wishing you well 

Paul

User
Posted 27 Sep 2016 at 22:55
Hi Paul
All the best. See my profile. Depends on your fitness. General health. The long term success of RT or RP seems very similar. RT appears to more favourable outcomes re. ED. The op does have increased risk over RT. Ie you are under for 3hrs plus. Again depends if you are employed or live near hospital. . RT as you no doubt know does need sustained visits .. even if actual procedure takes 10 mins. My wife and I chewed it all over and I opted for RP. I may have been lucky with a very skilled surgeon. Full bladder control after catheter removal. I couldn't hoped for more. RT an option should PSA increase. ED work in progress . However nerves do regrow. Albeit slowly. I had no nerve sparing. My choice obviously however I was told those are the areas reoccurrence can occur. Who knows.. I assume you know there are other options than just RT and RP.. something we didn't really explore in detail.
User
Posted 28 Sep 2016 at 01:13

Hi Paul,

From my biopsy I was given a staging of T2a (organ confined) and I was expecting surgery. However, following MRI scan this was upgraded to T3A (locally advanced) and the surgeon was most reluctant to operate so I had RT instead. Hopefully, yours will still be considered confined following MRI scan, though scans cannot be relied on 100% so surgery can reveal the cancer has spread more than was thought even from looking at MRI scan beforehand. From the 'Tool kit' and what you have read about the pros and cons of treatment you will decide which treatment option open to you to go for. Your enlarged Prostate could be a factor but seek your consultant's opinion on what he/she feels is best in your case.

Barry
User
Posted 28 Sep 2016 at 07:48

Many thanks to all the replies...good to get a response and share our troubles.....will know more next week and then decide on the best way forward....my general health and fitness are both good and I don't have any other issues or take any medication....so all the choices should be ok.....RP does appeal though as it will also sort out the BPH which is a quality of life affecting issue.....constantly having to be aware of where the toilets are etc......Paul

User
Posted 28 Sep 2016 at 07:57
Hi Paul,

I too had RP.. open surgery.

Check out my profile for more details.

Good luck with your treatment.

KRO..
User
Posted 30 Sep 2016 at 05:39

MRI and Bone scans went all ok yesterday, but when I arrived home I had a copy of the letter sent to my GP regarding the situation etc.....the Gleason Score on my left side was 4+3 in 70% of the samples, not 3+4.....both add up to 7 but from what I can find out this is a more serious issue..?
The hospital team have their weekly conference today and I should get a call to go in and see the Urologist next week for the fuller picture and the options for moving forward. I am quite scared at the moment that I am facing a real threat to my life and that the situation could deteriorate quickly.....hopefully I am wrong?.....Paul.....

User
Posted 30 Sep 2016 at 06:16
Hi Paul,

When you next see the specialist you will have a clearer picture of your situation. If possible take someone with you to listen to what they say as this helps, also take notes. Regarding the Gleason score have a look at this link:

http://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information/getting-diagnosed/what-tests-will-i-have-at-the-hospital

In the meantime order the Toolkit from the publications page on this website.

Best wishes,

Arthur
User
Posted 30 Sep 2016 at 06:18

Hi Paul
You'll be glad to know that nothing moves quickly with this damn plague. Endless worrying waiting. Except for the very unfortunate few it seems. Your Gleason score remains at 7. It just means the majority of cells found were 4 aggressive , and the next majority 3 aggressive. Slightly worse but far better than an 8 or 9. Good luck with the results and read all of the toolkit.
Chris


If life gives you lemons , then make lemonade
User
Posted 05 Oct 2016 at 07:40

Had my meeting yesterday with the Urologist and it went well considering where we all are. The PC is confined to my Prostate.....just.....and the Bone Scan was 100% clear.....
I have opted for removal and should be dealt with within the next 3 weeks. Due to the size of my Prostate...124gms....the Urologist has told me that open surgery may be preferable to avoid any damage to the wall of the bowel etc.....also there will be 2 surgeons present during the procedure.
Radiotherapy was offered but I was told that due to the size of the Prostate the amount and area of coverage being signifincant it would cause/raise other issues.....I had already decided that if removal was offered then that was going to be my choice as it gets the thing out of me, cures BPH and still leaves RT as an option should things kick off again in the future....
So....I slept well last night, relieved that the news was good and although I don't relish surgery it will be over fairly quickly and hopefully life can return to a greater level of normality......Paul

Edited by member 05 Oct 2016 at 07:42  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 05 Oct 2016 at 18:14

all the best Paul for your op Andy

User
Posted 06 Oct 2016 at 08:09

Hi Paul,

I have just had the OP exactly 1 week ago today, I too had quite a large prostate and only had 2 options, prostatectomy or RT, I decided on the OP as I wanted it out and as far as I know a lot of surgeons will not operate after RT, anyway the OP was nowhere near as bad as I had imagined it would be, the worst was the gas which they pump into you for access to the prostate, a few good farts and things were a lot better, catheter not really a problem it is nice not to have to get up at night, going to go out for a walk today, just take one step at a time there is no rush,

all the best for your OP,

Paul

User
Posted 06 Oct 2016 at 08:55

Many thanks for the support and words of help .....especially to Paul who has just gone through what awaits me.....fear of the unknown is


sometimes far worse that the experience of the reality....I was dreading the MRI, Biopsy and Bone Scans and they all turned out to be of no


real consequence really and nothing to get worked up about.


This operation is a bit more serious but if I feel as Paul does one week on then I shall be a very happy person.....Paul...

User
Posted 06 Oct 2016 at 10:00

Hi Paul,

I have just read your post again and it says that you are having open surgery, I had robotically assisted radical prostatectomy, but I have read on this site of people that have had open surgery with the same results in fact some surgeons prefer it, so good luck with the OP,

best wishes

Paul

User
Posted 16 Oct 2016 at 05:57

Got my date for the operation....2/11 in Shrewsbury, feeling quite calm at present now that the plan is set out, will be glad to get it over with and come out the other side on the road to better health and future.....Paul.....

User
Posted 16 Oct 2016 at 06:36

Hi Paul,

I too felt better when a decision had been made, but I was really nervous as the OP got nearer until I was on my way to theatre then it was oh well no going back now then approx 4.5 hours later I was in recovery, the worst thing about the OP is the gas they pump into you for access to the prostate, it is just uncomfortable but a few good farts soon relieves it, good luck with the OP,
best wishes

Paul

User
Posted 16 Oct 2016 at 15:37

Paul, just a note to say that if you are having open RP they won't be filling you up with gas in the same way as if you were having keyhole, so hopefully those particular side effects will not affect you.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 17 Oct 2016 at 09:38

Hi guys,

Had a bit of a shock last night, 2 weeks post OP I had blood in the bag, I have not had any blood at all until now, it has cleared now, I  phoned the hospital they said it was part of the healing process but keep an eye on it, bit scary I can tell you I wish they would warn you of these things, 

bets wishes

Paul

 
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