Open RP vs RT + Hormones for high volume PCa

mrspjd said:

Thanks for your supportive feedback
Thank you for your supportive feedback. Larry, even though you say you are the "worrier," you sound like a very positive and caring person and I'm glad things are going well for you.

As for my posting thread, I hope I didn't imply criticism or judgment on anyone or their tx choices. I am not a doctor and that is not for me to say or know. I merely was stating what I have learned from our (mine and pjd's) research for pjd's PCa stats...that if we choose surgery as the first line tx path, even though we may have the best surgeon (stats & experience, experience, experience), there is no guarantee that there will be clear margins or that the surgery will be the only tx needed/required for pjd. We have learned how important it is for us (pjd and me) to learn as much as we can about pjd's PCa before making a tx decision. In pjd's case, since there is such a high likelihood of regional ECE, including extension into the rt seminal vesicle, the thinking/question is: why go through RP surgery with it's possible side effects/risks (hoping for the best but knowing positive margins would be likely), then add additional side effects/risks with RT + hormones a few months after surgery if the margins were indeed positive? Which is what we would do after surgery if that were the case. Why not just go for the RT + hormones as the first line tx defense? We've been advised that doing surgery solely to get a more accurate pathology staging of the PCa should not be the primary reason to do surgery...the primary reason should be to remove/cure the PCa, but if you know going in that it probably won't be entirely possible, why risk RP surgery side effects and then have to go for the RT+hormones months later and have those side effects/risks in addition? That is our decision dilemma.

As far as the comment that it should be pjd's decision and he should be doing the research...it will be his decision and he is doing the research. But so am I and we come together to share what we have learned from two fronts. Two heads are better than one when it comes to research and two sets of ears are better when it comes to doctor visits (although we are recording the dr visits with their permission). As I've said previously, ours is a team effort/process. After our lengthy discussions and sharing/weighing what we have learned, ultimately it is pjd's body and will be his decision for tx. I will support his decision 100%.

Bdhilton, I have read most of your postings and respect your research, logical thinking and choices. You sound like you have done your homework and are an informed/educated "consumer". Your stats, other than age (pjd is 67 yrs) which I know is an important criteria, sound very similar to pjd's. Also, my birthday is March 3, so your surgery date and story made an impression on us. You have made the right choices for you and sound happy and positive about those decisions. Thank you again for sharing your story and feedback.

Have read about many of you who are taking or have taken RT + hormones (with or without previous surgery) and would still like to hear from you if you would like to share your thinking process as it relates to our situation. Knowing what you know now, would you have done anything different? We know how important it is to remain positive with your choices, however, your 20/20 hindsight might help those new to the "club." Thanks.

Whether it be luck, pre-determined destiny, prayer, meditation, "the Force," G-d, or ?, may It continue to be with all of you and on your side in this war against the beast.

mrs pjd