Last weekend I ran into an old friend. He told me he had prostate cancer. I asked his Gleason score and he didn’t know.
I told him I was starting Cyberknife on Tuesday. He told me he was having surgery the same day. I asked why he was opting for surgery and he told me that it was best to be rid of the cancer. And at his age (58) the side effects shouldn’t be a big deal. I asked if he had talked to any other doctors and he said “no”.
I wish him well.
Sad.
Seems like a uro surgeon who wants another notch on his belt
Your friend is in need of valuable information on Prostate Cancer treatments...maybe you should have mentioned this site to him.
I saw him on Sunday. He was scheduled for Tuesday. Had I thought I could influence him in any way I would have. He didn't know his Gleason score or even what it was. I told him a second opinion couldn't hurt. But he was certain of his course.
Yes it was too late, and it would have been upsetting to tell him at that stage.
The odds are that his surgery will be successful and his side effects tolerable...no long-term incontinence. He does have his "young" age on his side. I have found that most men here locally who were diagnosed could not recall their Gleason scores!! And these are NOT dumb men!!??? All had surgery, and are happy with results......if someone knows/believes that they will not have recurrence and require radiation and possibly ADT anyway, I think surgery is a sound decision compared to ADT side effects added to radiation SEs?
who is the 2nd friend?
Perhaps share with him your thinking process and how you came to your decision with what information you were given. He may not have been given the same options. All doctors, urologist, oncologist…are not equal. You say this is to take place this upcoming Tuesday so have the talk sooner than later.
I was in the same situation with a long time friend when we both had PCa treatement 3 years ago. He followed the surgical path without another thought and no research because he wanted to "get the cancer out". His surgery ended with both urinary incontinence and ED. In his mind my HRDB treatment with minimal side effects put a wedge between us that was intolerable and the friendship dissolved. Sad on many fronts.
very sad .... someone needs to get to him quickly ....talk to him
My brother was the same way. Some people just like to be oblivious. He had his in his late 40s and has ED and "sneeze incontinence" at 64.
Surgeons love surgery.
I understand he should gather more information before deciding. The choice of surgery after he does so may be his best choice. If it’s a straight choice between radiation and surgery I would opt for surgery. The main reason being more treatment options it it recurs. Am I missing something?
Ignorance is Bliss........... I should know, since my first marriage was to the Witch of all Witches....
Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.
j-o-h-n Thursday 10/05/2023 10:49 PM DST
Surgery is the best option if, and only if, it hasn't escaped which you will not know until the surgery and biopsy is complete. Also, if you no longer desire to procreate.
Unfortunately there are no Mulligans like in golf. So research, choose wisely and pray for the best.
Right. The thing about surgery is that it promises a cure, if the cancer is diagnosed early enough and has not yet escaped the prostate. Unfortunately, for the overwhelming majority of us who opted for surgery and are still on this form, surgery has failed. Otherwise, we would happily go about our lives, instead of reading this forum.
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