# Ongoing Prostate Cancer Treatment **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 14, 2025, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625 "2025-06-14T13:54:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 20
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625/381 "2026-06-17T22:43:34Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > Best of luck finding a physician who is a good fit. Rarely easy in any city, state or nation. Hey, this guy robbed a bank so he could get a doctor like me! [Freed crook immediately robs bank to get into better prison](https://nypost.com/2019/01/30/freed-crook-immediately-robs-bank-with-goal-of-going-back-to-prison/) ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2026, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625/382 "2026-06-18T00:04:41Z")
Thanks, but that actually _terrified me_. I had mentioned to a close friend years ago, that if I was low on options, finances, and older with no options for good health care, that I would consider doing exactly that. Going to a financial institution, giving a demand for $1000, and that I was robbing the bank. That it was not a joke and to call the police. Then to quietly sit down on my hands and wait to go to jail. The fact that people are doing it says volumes about our nation’s health care and safety net. I need a drink. I refuse to allow all of the rest of you pleasant people die of treatable causes, so keep taking care of yourselves while I have a midweek drink or three. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625/383 "2026-06-30T11:10:45Z")
This afternoon I have an appointment with my Urologist which is supposed to end the anti-androgen drugs I have been taking for two years. It has been a long and sometimes difficult road. I am guardedly optimistic and hoping for a return to normalcy. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625/384 "2026-06-30T11:19:13Z")
Hoping for the best ! ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625/385 "2026-06-30T12:40:20Z")
> [@LH75](#): > > I am guardedly optimistic and hoping for a return to normalcy. You know that our diagnoses and treatments are quite similar, but I’m further along, having stopped anti androgens about 2 years ago after 18 months on them. I’d say I got pretty much back to normal in most respects after about 6-8 months off of them. Still in remission per my last PSA check too. I hope your course continues to be as or more successful than mine. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625/386 "2026-06-30T13:28:59Z")
Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625/387 "2026-06-30T15:32:25Z")
Just popping in to say I’ve joined the club. 12 out of 12 positive biopsies. Dang. Thanks for all the good discussion, I’ll read through this thread more carefully now that it applies to me. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625/388 "2026-06-30T16:11:25Z")
This thread has been enormously helpful as things progressed for me. Keep coming back - we’re here for you, man! ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625/389 "2026-06-30T16:17:45Z")
Yeah, welcome(?) to the club none of us were particularly anxious to join. The good news is that, as has been discussed, you have a wider range of options than I had in 2009 (surgery, blunt-force radiation and blunt-force chemo). We’ve all come out the other side, you will too. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625/390 "2026-06-30T16:20:47Z")
True, the good news is, Prostate Cancer usually very treatable. There are many much better treatments available now. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625/391 "2026-06-30T16:27:15Z")
the surgeon I talked to was pretty insistent that surgery was the way to go. I got a second opinion yesterday from radiology oncologist Looks like I’m a good candidate for 5 radiation treatments. I really would like to avoid the surgery if I can. Thanks everyone. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625/392 "2026-06-30T17:40:09Z")
I was advised surgery because of my age (I’m on the young side at 50.) I had mine done in Nov 2024. I’m happy with the way things turned out, but my recovery so far has been as textbook good as it could be. I have normal sexual and urinary function (though the former is a little “different,” of course). The doctor said were I older, he would have recommended other avenues, but the recovery and relapse curves for someone my age are better with surgery after two years. The only part that really sucked for me was the catheter. Oh, and there is some stress as to whether the bits would work again. But I was fully mobile and walking 12k steps a day in exactly 4 weeks according to my step counter, and was able to achieve an erection within 6. That said, this was a year and a half ago. There’s always new treatments coming up the pike. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625/393 "2026-06-30T17:49:20Z")
I am blessed with low PSA scores for now but I am following this thread and rooting for all of you. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2026, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625/394 "2026-06-30T18:49:27Z")
It is official! I am off my anti-androgen meds, Abiraterone and Orgorvyx. I need to gradually wean my system off of the prednisone over the nest three weeks. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2026, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625/395 "2026-07-01T04:47:16Z")
Congratutions! ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625/396 "2026-07-02T14:55:55Z")
> [@LH75](#): > > It is official! I am off my anti-androgen meds, Abiraterone and Orgorvyx. I need to gradually wean my system off of the prednisone over the nest three weeks. Congrats! > [@Procrustus](#): > > Just popping in to say I’ve joined the club. 12 out of 12 positive biopsies. Dang. Thanks for all the good discussion, I’ll read through this thread more carefully now that it applies to me. Did they tell you your Gleason score? That is tied to how aggressive the findings are. I assume you have this and it’s high, since you are discussing surgery versus radiation, but it’s worth checking. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625/397 "2026-07-02T15:03:04Z")
> [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](#): > > Did they tell you your Gleason score? That is tied to how aggressive the findings are. I assume you have this and it’s high, since you are discussing surgery versus radiation, but it’s worth checking 11 were 3+3. One was 3+4. The radiation doc said surgery was an option, but certainly not the only one. I think surgeons are like hammers that think everything is a nail. They’re going to run a few more tests on the biopsies to make sure there isn’t anything indicating more aggressive problems. but if no surprises, I can do a five day treatment with radiation. The worst part (and not that bad) will be the procedure to implant the gold targets and a spacer between rectum and prostate. Anyone else do this? I’ll be knocked out, but I assume sore afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625/398 "2026-07-02T16:26:57Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > The worst part (and not that bad) will be the procedure to implant the gold targets and a spacer between rectum and prostate. Anyone else do this? I’ll be knocked out, but I assume sore afterwards. I had this, it wasn’t bad. I was out for it (no intubation was done, just IV sedation), and pain was minimal upon awakening. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625/399 "2026-07-02T16:29:36Z")
I had a target put in and it was so minor I forgot about it until you mentioned it. The biopsy sucked, but I’m not sure I had a very good Doctor at that point. He’s the same one that wanted me to go for 45 radiation treatments in this day and age. Also other issues. * * * * * * I found my comments from July/August last year on the Markers and Spacer. > [@What\_Exit](#): > > 1. 10 min procedure to put Fiducial Markers in the prostate and add a spacer between the prostate and rectum. > [@What\_Exit](#): > > It seems like everything went well as expected. > No counting down from 10 for the anesthesia. > I have some discomfort in the groin region of course. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2026, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625/400 "2026-07-02T22:06:33Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > a spacer between rectum and prostate. I should also add that the spacer dissolves painlessly in about 6 months [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625.md?page=19) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-prostate-cancer-treatment/1019625.md?page=21)