Newly Diagnosed

[PugLvr]

Hi

I have been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer , Low Risk Stage 1 , Gleason score 6 . The cancer is contained within the prostate but given the fact that the cancer is throughout the prostate my Urologist is recommending either Robotic Protatectomy or Brachytherapy. I am overwhelmed trying to make a decision about how to proceed with a therapy. Just feel like I need honest answers about the pitfalls of the therapies.

Any help ? I would appreciate any insight.

Thanks

Mark

[Tall_Allen]

Nevertheless, you may still be a good candidate for active surveillance.

When I was diagnosed 13 years ago, with an identical diagnosis, I decided on SBRT.

IMO, gay men should never have prostatectomies for these reasons:

prostatecancer.news/2021/12...

You have plenty of time to do research, meet with specialists, and decide. The best advice I can give is to take your time, and for now, decide not to decide anything.

[PugLvr in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks Tall_Allen

Appreciate the info and link, it is all very overwhelming and am seeking out multiple opinions. Can't do active surveillance because although my cancer is low risk and it is still within the prostate capsule, it is throughout the entire prostate. So urologist is recommending treatment of either surgery or radiation within the next 6 months. Have you stayed cancer free after the SBRT ? Did you have any severe side effects ? I just keep reading all these horror stories about what radiation does to your rectum and it scares me to no end. Just trying to find the solution that will work best and give me the longest remission with minimal side effects.

Take Care

[Tall_Allen in reply to PugLvr]

"Can't do active surveillance because although my cancer is low risk and it is still within the prostate capsule, it is throughout the entire prostate" IDK why you think that is true.

You are worrying yourself about low incidence side effects.

Remission? Almost everyone with your risk characteristics is on active surveillance or has gotten curative treatment

Talk to less alarmist doctors. Several, at least. I spoke to 6 before deciding.

[cpl901 in reply to PugLvr]

Within 6 months (...) meetoo ....but i waited 9 months... and could wait more. But i was ready then, when i decided to be ready for treatement.

[cpl901]

Gleason 6 (3+3) doesnt spread out of the prostate. Problem is : Did the biopsy catch the right cells or is there any 3+4 around. You ll never know. Just keep calm , active surveillance is ok and may be later (very later) decide for a treatement if you feel like you could go in a procedure. RT, Surgery, SBRT or whatever. Just dont rush, or dont do anything just to calm your brain but do something for you urinary tract or your QoL.

I choose surgery and at the moment i m quiet happy with the result : No urinary problems (better than before), erections : i m in rehab (4 th month after surgery) but working allways better, orgasm : better than before ?! to say the truth i dont remember but as it is new it seems very intens and i can have more (feel less "tired" after). Path results : at the moment ok...

Just keep calm and dont rush

[SadandScared]

Hi PugLvr! The first thing I wanted to tell you is that this group was such a huge help to me so joining and posting your story will bring you so much advice. Tall_Allen is a wealth of knowledge & he has guided so many of us! I was diagnosed with Stage II, Gleason Score 3+4, confined to the prostate. Immediately, my doctor was recommending a prostatectomy and that scared the life out of me. I went for several other opinions and I currently undergoing SBRT CyberKnife treatment through NYU Langone in NYC. Today is actually my 3rd treatment and so far, the side effects have not been so bad. I have been advised that once my 5th treatment is complete that I may see an increase in side effects so I am just mentally preparing myself for it. If I am lucky, I may not experience any increase, my fingers are crossed. After doing my research, I felt that SBRT would be the safest bet for me. Everyone is different so do your research and get multiple opinions from different doctors. Good Luck!

[NYC_talker]

Hi PugLvr. Sorry, you're facing this. You are in a very good place, however, in terms of how early you detected it, how much time you have to explore options, how low risk it is and the number options you have for treatment. This group is a great place, and Tall_Allen is, as stated, a wealth of information.

As a gay man, I agree, after reading so many accounts, that surgery is not the best choice when it comes our our sexual health and future well-being. Any great side effects of radiation are low incidence, as Allen said.

I did LDR brachytherapy two years ago--please read my posts--and it was a great one-and-done choice for me, with little to no side effects. I've had no issues with anal sex, was back to my normal sex life within a few months, with anal sex as pleasurable as ever. I've written all about it. So, again, read my posts.

It's frightening to face this at first--I don't begrudge you that. But once you learn a lot and connect with others you'll feel empowered and you'll make the best decisions that way. Good luck.

[PugLvr in reply to NYC_talker]

Hey NYC_talker Thanks very much for responding to me..it means the world to me. I read through all your posts and was encouraged by your progress and candidness about your experience. I did update my bio with additional information about my diagnosis. FYI. This is a very daunting process, trying to find the right set of doctors, looking at all the different and new treatment options. Enough for a healthy person to navigate let alone adding all the emotions on top of the diagnosis. Take Care.

[NYC_talker in reply to PugLvr]

Absolutely true. Unlike some other health issues, however, you do have time to research and get second opinions, see what folks here think---and elsewhere. I was devastated when my urologist first told me on the phone. But the moment I went in that day to see him and had him explain it to me--and I was lucky to have a urologist who didn't push surgery (as many do, since they are surgeons) but told me how both radiation and surgery have equal outcomes in long-terms studies in terms of eradicating it, I felt much better.

Perhaps it's because he's gay, as are my other doctors, but he really was about what would be best for my overall health and my sexual health. I then began researching more and having the knowledge helped. You definitely should see a radiation oncologist, and more than one if you like. You'll get input from those who will give you options and other opinions that will help. If you have any questions feel free to ask, including sending a private message if you like.