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re: Found out today I’ve got Prostate cancer. Advice on radiation or surgery?

Posted on 7/7/21 at 7:22 pm to
Posted by jcaz
Laffy
Member since Aug 2014
15786 posts
Posted on 7/7/21 at 7:22 pm to
Prostate cancer is one of the most common and easily treatable cancers for men. Pops had it and after about a year got it removed just to be safe. You’ll be fine man! Remove the little bastard.
Posted by OMLandshark
Member since Apr 2009
109486 posts
Posted on 7/7/21 at 7:23 pm to
quote:

I don't know, seems like overkill man. I think any guy 35 or older knows people who've gone through prostate cancer treatment.


I know a lot of people who have lost a lot of weight, myself included. Guess what? I’m not a dietitian or personal trainer. I don’t know what medical conditions they have. It’s one thing to say eat well and exercise, but another to provide someone a specific diet or workout program and you know nothing about them. What if someone wants a good diet, you include peanuts, and they happen to have an allergic reaction? What if you give them a workout program and they rip a tendon and injure themselves? People are being way, way too specific for this.

Here’s the advice: go to your doctor and another doctor and get a second opinion. If you want a coping group for cancer, fine, this place is for you, but to be told which medical procedure to get by Cleavon who has a 78 IQ who also happened to have prostate cancer, you’re an idiot.
This post was edited on 7/7/21 at 7:25 pm
Posted by AUriptide
Member since Aug 2009
7349 posts
Posted on 7/7/21 at 7:23 pm to
quote:

Get a second opinion before doing anything. Low-risk prostate cancer is often overtreated with surgery and radiation. Don't take my word, you can read up on it independently.

My oldest BIL was diagnosed 11(?) years ago, and surgery or radiation was recommended. He opted for a second opinion, who recommended monitoring before anything invasive. He gets a check-up every six months and so far so good.


Agree, my FIL did the same a few years ago.

He also does some kind of asparagus thing and says it's brought his levels down.
Posted by Mouth
Member since Jan 2008
21006 posts
Posted on 7/7/21 at 7:27 pm to
My dad had it 12 yrs ago. He had the surgery.

Honest to god we barely remember going through it and never talk about it bc it was a blip on his life.

You’re gonna be just fine man!!
Posted by EA6B
TX
Member since Dec 2012
14754 posts
Posted on 7/7/21 at 7:34 pm to
quote:

Here’s the advice: go to your doctor and another doctor and get a second opinion. If you want a coping group for cancer, fine, this place is for you, but to be told which medical procedure to get by Cleavon who has a 78 IQ who also happened to have prostate cancer, you’re an idiot.


Here is what you don’t seem to grasp, you can go to all the doctors you want, they will offer you various prostate cancer treatment options, they will explain the pros and cons of each, then leave it up to the patient to decide which option they want. Many times external beam radiation and surgery offer the same statistical outcome, but with greatly differing side effects. I would want to hear about the experience from those that have had the treatments before making the decision on which to choose.
This post was edited on 7/7/21 at 7:40 pm
Posted by Kay
Member since Mar 2011
1944 posts
Posted on 7/7/21 at 7:35 pm to
Stepdad did the surgery and cancer-free. You’ve got this!
Posted by nicholastiger
Member since Jan 2004
43365 posts
Posted on 7/7/21 at 7:36 pm to
Sounds like caught early
Usually pretty good outcomes
Posted by Pettifogger
Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone
Member since Feb 2012
79403 posts
Posted on 7/7/21 at 7:37 pm to
I don't think he's wrong about the importance of seeking pro advice but

A) there is no evidence OP isn't doing that and

B) everyone who goes through any fairly common medical condition is going to ask people about how it went, pros and cons, weird pains, surprising side effects, whatever.

I mean, if my doctors tell me they recommend surgery but radiation is a viable option too, I'm STILL going to go ask about it. Why wouldn't you?
Posted by soccerfüt
Location: A Series of Tubes
Member since May 2013
66020 posts
Posted on 7/7/21 at 7:42 pm to
quote:

Just said a prayer for you. God bless you.
Worry about your own prostate, Walter.
Posted by OWLFAN86
The OT has made me richer
Member since Jun 2004
176401 posts
Posted on 7/7/21 at 7:48 pm to
quote:

BowDownToLSU

listen here you son of a bitch you kick this things arse
Posted by Hangover Haven
Metry
Member since Oct 2013
26803 posts
Posted on 7/7/21 at 7:52 pm to
My dad had the radiation seeds placed, cured him cancer free..

Mayo clinic
This post was edited on 7/7/21 at 7:55 pm
Posted by Passing Wind
Dutchtown
Member since Apr 2015
4144 posts
Posted on 7/7/21 at 8:03 pm to
quote:

through my 'taint

OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCH
Posted by jeffsdad
Member since Mar 2007
21541 posts
Posted on 7/7/21 at 8:03 pm to
I believe Willis Knighton in Shreveport has proton treatment
Posted by Rebel
Graceland
Member since Jan 2005
131548 posts
Posted on 7/7/21 at 8:10 pm to
After watching my dad recover from the surgery, I would get the radiation.

It’s an extremely invasive surgery. They nearly split you in two.
Posted by Keltic Tiger
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2006
19398 posts
Posted on 7/7/21 at 8:13 pm to
I had the radiation seeds placed, and then 32 weeks, 20 minutes a day, of radiation therapy. Literally zero side effects, none, from the radiation. You walk in, drop your pants, get on the table, the scan lasts 20 minutes or so. The only "issue" is you need to drink 40+ oz of water before, then hold it till the bladder is scanned. They need a full bladder to push away from the gland, leaving the gland as the target. So, not peeing on yourself is the only issue. As for surgery, no surgery will remove 100% of the cancer cells in the gland area. However, those cells are microscopic & would take yrs & yrs to develop into anything significant. Same with radiation, no 100% destroying of the cancer cells. As noted, a positive if you decide on surgery, if you have the surgery first, and cancer returns, you can then try the radiation. If you go radiation first, surgery is not an option if cancer returns. My PSA # was 11 three yrs ago. After 32 weeks of radiation, it is now 0.15. A range from 0 to 4 is considered normal. Next OV is next yr. My choice against the surgery was I did not want to mess with a catheter for a couple of weeks post surgery. And there are some sexual dysfunction possibilities: at 71, not a problem for me. You have a 6 week recovery period, post surgery. I went out celebrating the evening I had my last treatment. But prostate cancer is "the best" cancer to get, as the recovery rate is in the high 80 percentile. Mary Bird Perkins was great for me. Really great. Keep your chin up...prostate cancer is not a death knell, far from it.
Posted by zippyputt
Member since Jul 2005
5803 posts
Posted on 7/7/21 at 8:16 pm to
Dad had it at age 62 I think. Monitored for a few years then did surgery. Had some issues of the normal for surgery. PSA went back up in late 70’s early 80’s and they treated with meds. He passed of something else.

Good friend had it and had radioactive seeds implanted. A little younger but similar age. As far as I know he’s doing ok. This was 20 years ago. I’m sure they’ve had advancements. Good luck and prayers for your recovery.
Posted by Chucktown_Badger
The banks of the Ashley River
Member since May 2013
31337 posts
Posted on 7/7/21 at 8:16 pm to
Regardless of what your urologist tells you, get a second opinion from a respected institution... or any institution for that matter. "I like my guy and he seems like he knows what he's talking about" isn't good enough.

They won't be offended.

And if you're getting surgery, research your surgeon. My ex is in sales for Medtronic so she is in surgery all the time. She would say how she called on a bunch of docs at major institutions she wouldn't let touch her or anyone she knew.
This post was edited on 7/7/21 at 8:19 pm
Posted by EA6B
TX
Member since Dec 2012
14754 posts
Posted on 7/7/21 at 8:19 pm to
quote:

It’s an extremely invasive surgery. They nearly split you in two.


Sounds more like he had a kidney removed. Today prostate removal is typically done robotically, the patient will have maybe five small puncture type wounds. One night in the hospital is typical, with a fast recovery, and little pain from the surgery itself. They inflate the abdomen with gas to make access easier, discomfort from residual gas left in the abdomen is the biggest complaint post surgery.
Posted by LSU Neil
Springfield
Member since Feb 2007
2525 posts
Posted on 7/7/21 at 8:21 pm to
Listen - I don’t know what your Gleason Score is nor your Biopsy results, but mine was a PSA rising fast around a 7.1. I was 50.
I went straight to MDA, they know their crap. Like big time. They scheduled me to have it removed laparoscopically, took it out, I pee fine, don’t pee on myself, sex is normal, ( I have to use Ciallis) but otherwise completely normal.
A friend somewhat older had it, went locally, and has had nothing but problems and is now wishing he had gone to MDA.
Up to you, but for me- I went to the best of the best.
My Dr. over there TEACHES other doctors how to do this procedure. Good luck.
Posted by LSU Neil
Springfield
Member since Feb 2007
2525 posts
Posted on 7/7/21 at 8:26 pm to
You cannot spout off about this and the beads. Each treatment is specific. The only sure thing is removal.
The beads are a 15-20 year kick the can down the road procedure. He is 55. At 70 the beads give out and cancer comes back. That’s exactly what killed my dad. He did the beads at 50 and it came back at 65. I had it. I studied all about the ins and outs. You will never learn more about cancer until you are diagnosed with it.
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