Hernia surgery before radiation?

Hi all. Got a question. I am to start radiation in a few months and have started lupron and casodex. Plan to do hormone for a year. Anyway, CT scan shows an iguinal hernia with fat deposit. Nothing indicates any intestine or organ involvement. Radiation oncologist called and wants me to have that operated on before radiation. Has anyone had to do this and what should I be looking for? I mean, I have no symptoms and for all I know this is something that's been with me since birth. Who, besides the surgeon who would repair this, should I have look at this? An internist for a second opinion? I'm worried that a surgeon will always say it should be fixed. Hate having to go under the knife again. The rad onc said he is worried about intestinal complications during radiation. Perplexed and confused. Jimmy

Well I had and iguinal hernia that developed after my open radical surgery. It was recommended that I get it fixed.. I did have the surgery and thought it was fairly painful and recovery was slower for me then the recovery from my Radical.

Best of luck with having the repair done.

Cajun Jeff

You need to get a surgeon to evaluate it - ask for a second opinion. It is a common surgery and you really want a qualified surgeon to do the work. I find it odd that the RO wants it fixed in the absences of pain - that would be one point I'd get clarified. Since you're going to have radiation ask if they intend to use the mesh for the repair and if that would affect your treatment.

I am about 5 months post radiation and have just starting having pain from a inguinal hernia. The surgeon told me the only reason to operate was to reduce pain and because it will only get worse (hernias don't get better on their own). He also said that because of the PC he wouldn't do a laparosopic procedure as that has him operating on the same side of the abdominal wall as the prostate. The open procedure keeps him on the other side of the muscle and that is where they will put the mesh. He said he was going to do this so he wouldn't do anything that could affect any future need to operate or radiate my prostate. I've already had beam radiation and my RO said any follow up radiation would be with the seeds and the surgeon said he mesh he's going to put in won't affect that if it's needed.

In my case I've decided to go ahead with the surgery but am stuck in scheduling hell at the moment. The surgeon I want has a full schedule until the end of Aug and hasn't opened his September schedule yet. He wrote my case up as 'elective' which puts me at the bottom of the priority list. If the discomfort turns to real serious pain I'd get a priority (or have emergency surgery) but for the moment I am on the waiting list if there is a cancellation and a slot opens up. sigh...

All the best on your treatment. Let us know how it goes.

Andrew