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Posted 6/19/2009 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
I had pretty much decided on IMRT radiation. Yesterday I failed a flowrate test at my urologist's office . He is now going do a cystoscopy and says I might need TUMT (transurethral microwave therapy of the prostate) which would delay radiation for 3 months. I researched TUMT and it has side effects and cure rates just as everything else. Is anybody familar with the greenlight laser procedure? It may be better than TUMT.

All this has me thinking that maybe I should just have my prostate removed and not worry about the BPH problems. It gets more complicated all the time.

Thanks for listening
Mike
Posted 6/19/2009 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
Gee Mike,

I dunno...almost like trading a stomach ache for a headache. Trying to fix blockage of urine flow from BPH with one surgery or have incontinence with the other type of surgery for awhile. Not a pleasant choice no matter what.

With your age, I would have to say, just take the dang thing out and get it over with. Having to go through the one surgery to help with BPH, then several months later have the radiation for cancer doesn't seem any less invasive to me. At least with the prostectomy, its done and over with along with the ability to have a path report afterwards.

Just my .02 worth
Posted 6/19/2009 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Mike,

With you family history and your current complications, I would tend to agree with LV above. That's a lot to go through, and then have the Radiation treatment, and hoping all the time that your PC is as low grade at this point as indicated. I would at least consider surgery now as an alternative to the Radiation, either Robotic or open.

David in SC
Posted 6/19/2009 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
I personally would ditto the other posts. The BPH stuff also has some period of incontinence, along with probably more discomfort than a Da Vinci prostatectomy.

However, as was mentioned, the long term potential for incontinence and ED is a risk with the RP, but you also have a potential risk with IMRT as well,

Lots to consider. Good luck !
Posted 6/22/2009 1:35 AM (GMT 0)
I'm agreeing pretty much with what you all are saying. At this point I don't believe I want to go through the BPH procedure (which may or may be work) and still be nearly 6 months away from finishing radiation.

When researching PCa treatment options one of the things that stood out with the new beam radiation machines, was that incontinence was not even listed as a side affect. I surely didn't consider possible BPH complications. My score on the American Urological Association Symptom Index is 6 or 7, which is classified as mild. (Generally, no treatment is needed.) My Urologist is a bit perplexed by this, hence the cystoscopy. I'm concerned since I worked 30 years in an environmentally unfriendly job, and know of at least 3 co-workers with bladder cancer. I'll know more after the cystoscopy on Wednesday.

Mike
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