Surgery vs. HT/RT alone

I've recently been disagnosed with PC.  Gleason 9; PSA 4.17;

clear bone scan and MRI.  T2a   Age:  70

Local doctor suggested DaVinci prostatectomy and then I went to Johns Hopkins and Dr. Jon Jarow strongly supported hormone treatment with 8 weeks of radiation and no surgery.  My wife and I are going crazy researching the pros and cons of both methods and looked at most of the chat rooms here.  Our dilemna:  It seems that most men of high Gleason score (7 or more) do surgery and then afterwards have to go to HT/RT.  At this point, I'm leaning toward going directly to HT/RT and passing by surgery.  The only thing I think surgery does is give the doc an opportunity to look inside and really tell how far the cancer has spread.  I would like to maintain as much of my active life style as possible and don't really want to risk the incontinence issues for a man my age with surgery.  I believe going to HT/RT would maintain continence and still provide me with a reasonable success rate for cure.  Any comments would be greatly appreciated? 

      Hi   ~ dustyd & Loved Ones,   I know we can “all” make “ Your Journey” smoother ~ just by being here for you!    Thank you for reaching out!!!     You’ve just made your own journey a lot smoother.   There are a lot of Helping Hands here… and just by reaching out like you did ~ you will have a much easier time.   We’ve been where you are now…. Knowing you aren’t alone… makes a big difference in psyche and spirit.   We will always be here for you… This is truly a great forum!!! ~ You have joined! You are now part our forum family ~ a group of wonderful individuals who are so willing to share their journey with you!   Please take time to follow the link in your Welcome Message above… it will help to ease some of the unknowns…   It helps “all of us” ~ to help you ~ if we know where you are on your path. So ~ Please stay with us and take our hand when you need it!   Keep posting.... OKAY!!         KNOWLEDGE IS POWER... and POWER conquers fear     YOU MAKE THE DECISIONS… YOU HAVE OPTIONS… ~ and ~ Your decision will be the right decision for you!!!     Buddy & I invite you to visit our personal thread “Our Journey”… listed in our signature below. Hoping our experience can help you over at least one stepping-stone on your journey.   http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb179/mamabluebird1955/Stepping-StonestoHealingWell.jpg   Our thoughts and prayers will be with you as you continue to move forward in your search for answers… Stay Close! In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy

if you are healthy then I might suggest surgery then the other two. Though I would not be any more correct than anybody else. I have read that those with high risk disease do better if the prostate is removed than not. My understanding is that most cases where the disease is hormone refractory, not responding to the hormone therapy, has the refraction begin in the prostate most often. But I certainly can see HT then RT within a month. Good luck in your decision. You are a good candidate to read a book by Snuffy Myers "Beating Prostate Cancer: Hormonal Therapy and Diet. You might want to get it before your decision as it specifically speaks to your situation.

Tony

Hey ~ dustyd,

Check out this link... in reference to  TC-LasVegas /Tony's posting above

BOOKS... Recommended by Forum Members

 

            and make sure you check out Biker90 /Jim's threads and many others to help you find what options you have and what's going to be best for you!!!  Clicking on the Welcome New Member's link above will help you get a quick start!! In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy