Anonymous wrote:Former clinical prostate cancer research here...

What started your process? Urinary issues?

Honestly your age is a huge statistical red flag.

I've known cases / patients that had low Gleason scores and extremely agressive prostate cancer. Honestly, if there is chance of 100% cure, why not do it? Go to a surgeon that does a ton of procedures and you are more likely to not have the severe side effects.

What is your PSA?

Yes & more likely to not need the hormone therapy later, is that right?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH was in the same boat. He was 49 when diagnosed. He was convinced it was no big deal and he shouldn’t have it taken out. I convinced (coerced) him to do the surgery. The analysis of the removed prostate showed extensive tumors and they rated it a 9 instead of the original 6. See Dr. Partin at Johns Hopkins and do whatever he recommends.

Listen to her. It might not be slow growing when found at such a young age. Once it gets into your bones (where it likes to spread) it is not pleasant or easy to deal with.
Sorry that you have to deal with this - best of luck.

PP and OP - how did they find it?

PP - how is your DH’s quality of life now?

I’m PP. DH started to get up at night to pee. At first we thought it was just due to the amount of water he was drinking. He was training for an ultra-marathon. When it got to be twice at night he went to the Dr. They did a psa test and went downhill from there.

Quality of life is hard to determine. Being alive to see your kids grow up, etc. is big. Having to wear pads everyday and going from 5x a week sex to 0 is pretty big also. We are only 8 months out. Things are improving, it’s just slow.

So - is there ever sex again or does testosterone have to stay at 0 forever? Once the cancer cells are gone can he do hormone replacement?

I just entered menopause but I can replace some of what I lost. I can’t imagine being a breast or prostate cancer patient and having zero hormones, though I’m told that there are alternative meds for them.

It is nice to be alive. We just watched a relative die of prostate cancer (not treated appropriately until too late) and it was harsh.

PP here. His testosterone is normal. The surgery damages the nerves that control bladder and erections. Over time the nerves should heal, but it takes a while. Every week is better than the last. It could take 18 months to heal fully.

That is good to know.

I guess you end up with the hormone therapy if other therapies have not worked out:

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/treating/hormone-therapy.html

Just want to say good luck to you OP.

Get a 4K test. Prostate cancer at your age has a higher probability of being aggressive.

OP here. Thanks for everyone's input
To the PP at 20:27 - my current PSA is 7.9. Based on the stats I reviewed with my doctor, T1c has an almost 100% survival rate for 10 years and a > 95% for 15. I do not want the surgery until I know that my PSA is > 10 and I understand the risks.

To the PP at 14:40 - I hope your husband's recovery goes well. He is lucky to have you. I am divorced and this one of the reasons I want to find out as much as I can before I take the next step (since I do not have steady partner for the recovery.)

Thanks to everyone's input, I am going to schedule a visit with the doctors at Hopkins.

I can’t imagine being a breast or prostate cancer patient and having zero hormones, though I’m told that there are alternative meds for them.

I do not think prostate cancer = zero hormones. Testicular cancer might = zero T in the system.

Thanks again everyone for taking the time to share your thoughts.