Which treatment should I choose for prostate cancer: hormone therapy or surgery?

I had prostate cancer in 2023, was localized, Gleason 7. Beginning in June began 45 radiation procedures over 9 weeks concurrent with ADT, Eligard 2 injections 3 months apart. All my PSA results every 3 months have been negative. Side effects were as expected, but fatigue has lingered, testosterone still not fully restored but back at the gym and playing golf. I have been fortunate, but still have PSA tests every 6 months and soon go an annual screening. Cross my fingers every time. If you can recommend this path if your medical team concurs.

Thank you for that . my last two PSA test 19.24 and last one 17.32.

Hey scott I have a similar diagnosis, gleason score 8 and has not yet metastasized. The options given to me are radiation therapy then hormone therapy or the radical prostatectomy. I have chosen for the prostate removal. There is a lot of research and personal decisions that have to be made. I included my wife in this process as this will also affect her. But ultimately i had to make the final decision. My surgery is set in three weeks. Hardest part now is waiting.

Hello Kim , I am wrestling with my decisions right now . Friends are telling me opt to remove it. Please let me know how it goes and the recovery? Good luck

Thanks Scott After i made the final decision for the surgery I second guessed myself a couple of times,I guess that is a normal. Friends and family helped me to reconfirm my decision. I guess what i am saying is that it is one of the hardest decisions to make. Ill fill ya in on my journey.

Well I am 70 years old so not sure how much longer I am going to live . Do I want to waste a year fighting this or just say to hell with it. I pray everything goes well for you .

Never give up my friend, find something positive to grab onto then give it hell. Use your faith or anything at your disposal to get threw this. I will keep you in my prayers if thats okay. Life is never a waist of time

Thank you, Kim . I have my good days and my bad days . I will pray for guidance on what I should do . I good lady friend told me pray and God will help me threw this . Thanks again Kim

Did the radiologist say that the radiation treatment would help kill the cancer or was it palliative for treatment of pain or (if applicable>)would it shrink prostrate-My oncologist keeps pushing radiation but the radiologist was very honest said no it would most likely NOT shrink prostrate or kill cancer but might help with pain-But he did say might deplete my immune system so (?) Anyone any further information

Hey Scott, 70 is still young. You still have the option for surgery so that's a plus. I did radiation myself but have friends who opted for surgery. Of course, other friends opted for radiation. I made my decision with my family and what I (the person with cancer) was comfortable to live with and the associated sideffects. For me, radiation was a better option. Not everyone has an option so it's good that you do. Best wishes moving forward.

Thank Gerry, it really helps me to decide on my options. Hope it works out for you.

Scott - fight it out and enjoy the time you have. I had brachytherapy and didn’t work for me I should have chosen removal. I’ve metastasized and on Zytiga last almost 3 years and O PSA and testosterone I’m 72 and probably have 3-4 years but will fight as hard as possible and if it gets to my bones I’ll take care of the situation myself Best of luck to you

It’s a hard decision all the different treatments My wife is also fighting multiple myeloma at same time as I am Prostrate metastasized stage 4 with Gleason of 9 -I had PSA 1 year ago of 176 & 10/10 of prostrate biopsies So I’ve been on Hormone shots with 8mos of chemotherapy & now on Xtandi w/ Talzenna I just had PETScan showed it has not progressed & shrunk somewhat Also my PSA is now 1.03 So I feel very fortunate I was told the Radiation would only be for pain control so I am waiting on that seeing how these medications work & they seem to be but I do have bad side effects bad nausea headaches for over have of week So trying to work on it Prayers to all of you Keep the faith

Barry, thank you . My prayers for you . Today, I chose the hormone therapy radiation with my doctor. And now I wait for an appointment to start . Its threw the VA so I am dealing with Tri care takes time . Good luck. I'll keep you in my prayers.

AMcowan prayers for both of you. I am lucky we caught it early. My Gleason count is low, but my PSA count is high at 19. Now, at 17.23, I have chosen hormone therapy, and radiation haven't started yet. I am waiting for the appointments to be made. My radiologist is a really good doctor, Dr Hall, at North Cascade Cancer Center here in Bellingham, Washington. Very helpful. Wish you both good luck.

Well, I got my first appointment to start hormone treatment on the 6th of next week . Taking a long time to get to this point . I had to call the VA community care and bitch at them . Got the okay and date after 6 months finally.

Hey Scott, glad you were able to move the needle 🪡 a bit. Dealing with the VA is certainly a journey...more like a trip. Best wishes moving forward.

Thanks Gerry yes its not fun dealing with the VA . But I have great doctors and people in the office work with me to get this done . My big thanks to Cascade Cancer Center in Bellingham Washington and a big thanks to Skagit Regional Clinic in Mount Vernon Washington these two offices work very hard with me to get all the necessary paperwork and authorizations to get to this journey. I've known I've had cancer now for 6 months and it just seems like I was getting nowhere and was getting ready just to give up I want to thank everybody in the community for helping me decide which way to go and for your support.

Making this treatment decision can feel overwhelming, especially when facing such important options. Both hormone therapy with radiation and robotic surgery are well-established treatments that many in this community have experienced, and connecting with others who have walked similar paths can provide valuable insights. Consider discussing the potential benefits, risks, and side effects of each approach with your medical team, and don't hesitate to seek a second opinion if it would help you feel more confident in your choice.