What's radical prostatectomy like for low-risk prostate cancer?

Thank you for sharing your experience and these thoughtful questions about radical prostatectomy for low-risk prostate cancer. Making treatment decisions can feel overwhelming, especially when there are multiple effective options to consider. This community is a great place to connect with others who have faced similar decisions and can share their real experiences with the surgery and recovery process. Hearing from people who have been through this journey can provide valuable insights that complement the medical information from your healthcare team.

I was told by a robotic surgeon that my prostate was too big for that. There’s a reason they call it a radical procedure. If you don’t care about wearing diapers, the rest of your life or the end of your sex life and certainly getting cancer out of your body as quickly as you can is a good choice. If you’re sketchy about the sex and the diapers, you may want to do what I’m doing, which is looking into proton therapy.

I had my prostate removed surgically 29 years ago. I was told at the time that there was a chance that the surgery could result in incontinence and/or impotence. Neither occurred. After researching all that I could, I discovered most patients who chose surgery had little or no permanent damage. Be cautious when asking for people’s opinion…it only takes one person who has had a bad experience to cloud your view. Pick a surgeon who has performed the procedure many times.

Three different surgeons told me I was a bad candidate for surgery and I would not be happy with the results because of the size of my prostate. Thanks for your post.

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.

Please see my comment on another thread above, I had early stage prostate cancer and chose radical prostatectomy. Wound up being a good choice for me but every case is different and you’ll want to do the best for yourself and your family. Best of luck with your decision and the path you choose. Asia’s many questions as you need to!