1st stage prostate cancer: to operate or not?

[InterestedInResults]

56 years diagnosed with 1st stage prostate cancer.


Consulted 3 doctors.

1. One said to operate.

2. Second said not to operate and keep observing.

3. Third said you can operate OR keep observing.


So 50/50 split.


What would you do?


How to reach the right conclusion?


Are there ways to prevent further development of cancer?


Hard to evaluate risk/reward in this case and looking for help.

Also, is DaVinci surgical device better than classical operation? Any advice about this?

[auntiejessi]

I'm sorry for your diagnosis, but you're right to ask all the questions.

Here are some things that may help -

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/treating/considering-options.html

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/treating/watchful-waiting.html


Is surgery the only option they've mentioned? What about radiation? Have they mentioned your PSA level, your Gleason score?

You can read more about those here - https://www.cancer.gov/publications/patient-education/prostate-cancer-treatment-choices.pdf

https://www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2021/05/how-to-decide-between-radiation-or-surgery-for-prostate-cancer

There are side effects to everything. The booklet I linked above lists those.

I found these on the DaVinci -

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/robotic-prostatectomy

https://www.wsj.com/articles/is-robotic-prostate-surgery-better-than-traditional-surgery-1529892180


If they're even mentioning the watching and waiting approach, you have some time to make this decision. Don't rush it. And I've given you a lot of info, take your time to read it all. Only you can decide the best option for you, your health, and your life/lifestyle.

It's so good that it was caught early, because you do have options. Let us know how you are, and what you decide. Best wishes to you. :)