I was diagnosed in 2009 with early stage prostate cancer with similar Gleason scores. Chose removal since it was more certain than either radiation or hormone treatment. Surgeons used “nerve sparing” surgical technique and, while they could promise nothing until they actually examined the gland and it’s surroundings, they were able to preserve sexual functioning.
In pre-operation discussions of options and their effectiveness, radiation and surgery were rated about equal in their effectiveness and both were more effective than hormone therapy. However, they advised me that, if I choose radiation over surgery, I would lose the surgery option for follow-on use in case of a relapse. This is because the radiation scarring/tissue damage in the area of the prostrate makes it very difficult to distinguish the gland from it’s surroundings and between diseased and undiseased tissue.
I was lucky in that the hospital (Walter Reed) hosts the US Army Instutute of Pathology. The removed gland underwent full mount and section and revealed negative margins which meant the prostrate cancer was still entirely within the gland and had not metastasized.
There is a downside to the surgery. You will be discharged wearing a Foley catheter and will wear it for seven weeks while the juncture between the ureatha and the bladder heals. Keeping the catheter and collection bags clean will require constant attention. Danger of urinary tract infection comes with wearing the catheter. My personal experience was two incidents of blocked urine flow during recovery and I had to take strong antibiotics to finally clear the recurring infection. However, I’ve not had any difficulties since then.
Sex function without drugs is normal.
It is 9 years in October and my PSA test still is zero.
I was very lucky.
Appreciate your account. I’m scared of the surgery but wanted to get examples where people DID have lingering effects and disabled function.
Yeah, I’m a pessimist. :)
By the way, I was told 1 week with a catheter and 4 to 6 weeks off activity (work, exercise, etc.) This is long enough.
Most men today get their catheters out in 7-10 days.