Guess its my time

[Michaelpm3]

i am a 55 year old male, I had 8.5 on my first PSA in 12/17, then 03/18 my PSA was 12.5, biopsy 7 out of 12 had cancer, gleason score of 7 intermediate risk cancer. I oppted for surgery on 7/10/18. I am still try to wrap my mind around what happened and what will happen in the future.

[rf3rf3]

Hi there. Yea it sucks. I’m 50. Psa around 8.5 with lots of core positives...Gleason 7 and Gleason 6. Considering HIfu instead of surgery because of the side effect profile but its a gamble.

[cpcohen]

Several things:

a) From the numbers, it sounds like you have a prostate cancer that's worth treating. "Active surveillance" is probably not a good idea.

b) How did you decide on surgery?

c) At 55, sexual side-effects (which usually come along with surgery) can be psychologically devastating. You might want to read Mulhall's book "Saving Your Sex Life: A Guide to Men with Prostate Cancer".

There's a booklist here that you might find useful:

inspire.com/groups/us-too-p...

You don't say whether you have a partner. If you do, Anne Katz's "Prostate Cancer and the Man You Love" would also be worthwhile.

Keep in touch --

. Charles

[Jeff85705]

Michael, it is definitely a punch in the gut, magnified a billion times. Especially at your relatively young age. I may be biased, but I think surgery (hopefully nerve-sparing robotic by an expert) is overall the best way: get rid of the prostate, get a good surgeon's look at the surrounding tissue--lymph nodes seminal vesicles, etc.--and get the pathology lab to dissect the prostate and give you a more thorough diagnosis of where your cancer was at, its staging, etc. For instance, in my case, the report came back that it was Stage II, NOT I as diagnosed by biopsy, no margins, etc., but same Gleason (3+4=7). The ED and incontinence are immediate, but vary from man to man. You have a good chance of keeping or getting back full erections (if you had them before) and incontinence can be very minor and short-lasting. Keep in mind, too, that with radiation therapy, the ED comes on gradually, but the ultimate results are similar to surgery. Best wishes, and talk to your doctor about everything you are going through. Get a second opinion, also, if you have not already. Good luck!

[tvankirk]

Lots of good advise from many well meaning folks, but I'm one who regrets having surgery and wish I had made different decisions regarding my cancer treatment. I was 55 when diagnosed and went from a gleason 6 to a gleason 7 after my second biopsy. I ended up with only partial nerve sparing surgery even though the cancer hadn't escaped the prostate capsule. I don't need to share all of the problems that have followed, but I wouldn't make the same choices and if the cancer returns I don't know if I'd have anymore treatment. It really depends on how much you value a good quality of life and what trade offs you're willing to make to have it. Good luck with your decision, it's a life changing one!

[davey1957]

Hey there,

I don’t have any advice for you but just a show of support. I had the surgery on March 19 of this year. The incontinence was brief and minor in my case. The ED is proving to be more of a challenge, although they say it is still early days. I’m very proactive about the rehab, pump and sildinafil. I am still very horny and right now I am exploring other ways of expressing that. I was having a bit of difficulty with erections before the surgery so it may be more difficult for me to restore full function,but I am ever hopeful.

Wishing you all the best

Davey

[EETOFF]

Apart from being 65 my profile is uncannily similar to yours. I had surgery on 30-4-18.

I got myself very fit shed some weight and worked my pelvic floor.

After Op first week was uncomfortable but I did as much walking as possible. After catheter was removed I was virtually continent after one week. I still have ED and I am working on this.

I had my first consultation last week. They believe all the cancer was contained in Prostate.

I do not regret surgery at all.

[ng27868168]

Michaelpm3...., the worst thing you can do is....., DO NOTHING!!!!!!!!!! For your sake AND your very life, ignore those who are telling you to do nothing OR wait to see what happens. If one has to get a cancer, Prostate Cancer is one that can be cured IF IT IS DEALT WITH while it is contained in the prostate gland. At your age not dealing with it will more than likely be the thing that causes your eventual death and it won't be a pleasant or quick one. As a 78 year old 25 year Prostate Cancer survivor and a facilitator for our local Prostate Cancer Support group, I have seen more than a few choose to do little or nothing UNTIL it is TOO LATE. Be a man and take care of the problem "cuz it ain't gonna go away by itself". Good luck.

[Paulo1968]

Hi Michaelpm3,

I don't have much of an advise, but rather report of my experience. You let me know if you have any questions that can be of any support to you.

I had a Gleason 8 but confined tumor that was removed early April this year. The pathology report stated that everything was clear outside the prostate except for a surgical margin of 1 mm . My PSA prior surgery was 12,7. I haven't done yet a PSA test after surgery... I will be doing my first test early July and I will take it from there if the surgery was fully successful.

As for side effects. I gained continence just right after catheter removal and lost it 3 days after. No idea why. After that I had a 1st awful month where I was not fully continent the whole day. For 2 weeks now that I gained confidence in the recovery and now I use a pad by precaution during working days as I have already days with zero leakages. Weekends and holiday period if I walk and move a lot I still have a bit of leakages later in the afternoon. This was really a nuisance and bother me a lot. As said now my mood is up again and I am sure this will go away.

I am also recovering from ED but for this I need to have more patience. I had a right side nerve sparing. Maybe you get luckier and have the 2 sides nerve sparing. I sense improvements but far from being well. Erections are very very short and very close to reaching orgasm. Oh yes, orgasms are possible and so far as intense as before. In this respect a patient and understanding partner is good to cheer our mood up. I am taking cialis 5 mgs a day and a bigger dose of 200 mgs per week (spedra avanafil). I use the pump every day.

I don't regret surgery at all. The feeling of having it out is good. Now I hope that everything stays good too.

Wishing you all the best and keep the spirits high. You will succeed the battle, I am confident. You just have to face it and fight it.

Paulo