Join the Conversation: Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer

By ProstateCancer.net Team

1 min read

Making a treatment choice for prostate cancer can be a big decision. Different treatment options exist, and each can have potential upsides and drawbacks. Many treatments can also lead to potential side effects, such as urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction.

So what is the best treatment option for you? Below are some interesting conversations that have taken place around treatment on ProstateCancer.net. Take a look around to see what others have shared, and join the conversation.

Let's talk about treatment options

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Would you recommend the treatment you recieved?

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Have you experienced side effects from your treatment?

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Did you decide to pursue treatment or active surveillance after diagnosis?

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Jim Early Moderator & Contributor
This is a critical discussion. In our support group every meeting we have new members facing these decisions. One of the most important things new members gain is the permission to "take it slow". Unless the initial diagnosis reveals extremely aggressive disease with a Gleason Score of 8 or higher with MRI evidence of very high risk, there is time to overcome the initial fear/anxiety and the impulse to do something! There are so many options today and while this can be mind boggling it also offers some great new advantages. With more comprehensive testing including predictive algorithms, MRIs, targeted biopsies, genetic testing and PET scans to rule out identifiable metastases; newly diagnosed men can gather information about all treatment options and access professional advice to help match their individual findings to the advantages of each treatment methodology. I know this can be overwhelming, but when a new patient matches treatment or active surveillence with their particular situation the best options can be achieved. Given the changes that treatment can cause in sexual function, and urinary continence, etc. it is critical be comfortable that you have optimized your chances at cure while minimizing the side effects.
Pat Wertheim Member
I was first diagnosed in 1996, with a radical prostatectomy and radiation that year. Since then, I have been through hormone ablation, castration, and hormone receptor blocker. I am on my ninth oncologist (I travel a lot with the job) and the most important thing I have learned is that not all oncologists and not all cancer clinics are created equal. In my hometown, I had used all the options the doctor had available. I could not tolerate the side effects of the hormone receptor blocker and the oncologist said there was nothing else he could do. That was two years ago. I went home and googled "top rated prostate cancer clinic" and even though it is several hundred miles from home, I went there for a second opinion. My new oncologist listed six additional therapies we can go through that my last clinic did not use or have access to. I have had one form of immunotherapy, which knocked the PSA back down, and now I am going through chemotherapy designed especially for prostate cancer, which is mixed in-house at their compounding pharmacy while I am on the table waiting for the infusion. Next comes another immunotherapy, with several more options in the wings after that. You have to decide if you want to fight the cancer at the hometown clinic or if you want to go to the extra expense of finding a better clinic, even if it means extra travel expenses.
CommunityMemberdd64e1 Member
I was diagnosed with prostate cancer yesterday October 15 2024 and I am feeling overwhelmed with this news and would appreciate any support 
1. TBrody Member
 <inline-mention username="JillBrodie" user-id="6982621"/> I’m one year+ with a slow growing prostate cancer and under active surveillance latest PSA @6.7was lower than the previous at 9. The latest MRi and biopsy showed some cancer in two areas of the prostate Gleason 6 and 7 Considering cryoablation therapy in a month. Can anyone in this group reference there experiences with this treatment and would it be best for me to wait and continue w active surveillance for another year to follow and wait on treatment?? Lots questions and concerns here in Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains Thank you ! Tom 
2. JillBrodie Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="TBrody" user-id="6910063"/> Hi Tom, I found these articles about cryotherapy and hope it can help you: <a href='https://prostatecancer.net/living/friend-cryotherapy-experience' target='_blank'>https://prostatecancer.net/living/friend-cryotherapy-experience</a> and <a href='https://prostatecancer.net/living/friend-diagnosis' target='_blank'>https://prostatecancer.net/living/friend-diagnosis</a>. Please keep us posted with what you decide. Jill (Team Member)