What side effects did you experience with prostate cancer surgery vs radiation?

This is such an important decision, and it's completely understandable to want to hear from others who have walked this path before making your choice. Many community members have shared their experiences with both surgery and radiation treatments, including the specific side effects you've mentioned. Each person's experience can be quite different, so hearing multiple perspectives will likely give you valuable insights as you work with your medical team to determine the best approach for your specific situation.

Hi, I also had the option of surgery or radiation. I met separately with the Radiation Oncologist and with the Urologist Surgeon. They both gave me the sideffects of both, and answered all the concerns I had with both options. At the end, it is about one's own quality of life and what one is willing to battle and live with. I also spoke with my wife and kids before making my decision. I chose radiation because I felt I could better deal with those sideffects versus the ones associated with surgery. I have two friends that chose surgery and two that chose radiation. I listened to all of their experiences and reason behind their personal choices. I was 57 at the time and now 58. My biggest concerns with surgery was longer incontinence, ED, out of commission for eight weeks with no gym or exercises (I'm into working out), and of course the surgery itself. My biggest concerns with radiation was 1.5%-2.5% greater risk of getting other cancers due to the radiation, other organs (anus, bladder) getting hit with radiation during treatments, PSA always around given the prostate is still in the body, and at a leser level - fatigue. I chose radiation treatment (5 sessions in 5 days for about an hour per session), and thus far (a little over a year) all going as planned. I didn't have a problems with the radiation hitting other organs, the fatigue was very minimal for the 5 days, ED under control, and incontinence not a problem - a little more frequency but manageable. One thing, however, PSA has to be monitored every three months for about a year, and if all good within that year - then monitored every 6 months until the 2 year mark, then every year if PSA numbers hold. At the end, it is a personal decision...hope this helps. Wishing good fortune and health.