re: Radiation or surgery for prostate cancer ?

my dad did radiation and chemo. when he died, he had no hip at all. it was rough.

Diagnosed in early 50’s with low grade Gleason 6 prostate cancer my urologist said my options were surgery, radiation or active surveillance. Chose active surveillance quarterly PSA yearly MRI fast forward 5 years and PSA is rising and now visible on MRI for the first time in 5 years. Consulted with urologist, Rad Onc and Med Onc and still no consensus on what’s the best option now leaning towards robotic surgery but med onc said not to close door on radiation. Good luck it is overwhelming

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She then got another opinion from the doctors at MD Anderson and they said that way of doing it was the old way and she should do radiation to decrease the size of the tumors as much as possible and then do surgery after the chemo. She went that route and has had great results with MD Anderson. Best cancer hospital on this great planet and I thank god for them everyday

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Can't comment on prostate cancer, but will comment on MD Anderson specifically and the process in general. If at any point you don't have a good feeling with your oncologist go to someone else sooner rather than later. For the OP, just remember you are a ~5 hour drive (assuming you live in NOLA) from arguably the best cancer treatment center in the world. Middle Eastern princes / kings who could afford treatment anywhere in Europe or the US go to MD Anderson...

As for MD Anderson the experience is night and day compared to what we dealt with in Shreveport for my wife's cancer treatments/follow-ups.

The overall cost for treatment was lower than Willis Knighton's too. If MD Anderson takes your insurance, everything there is in network. Anesthesioligy, pathology, etc. At WK we might pay $1,500 out-of-pocket for a surgery, and then another $1,000+ for anesthesiolist and another $800 to $900 for pathologhy.

Bump

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What does the doctor recommend?

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They dont always give the best advice. My dad saw a few different ones and they all say something different.

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Depends if they "spare" the nerves that cause erections

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That's what my brother was worried about. He had the surgery at 46 and said he's good to go. I'm hoping that I get a pass on prostate cancer but seeing how my brother, father, grandfather on mom's side and several uncles have had it, there is no avoiding that pitfall.

I along with 4 other men that I know personally all had prostate cancer. 4 of us had the radical removal of the prostate and the other one had the radioactive seeds implanted. He is the only one that died. That was in 2005, so things may have been improved but I am not sure.