prostate cancer radiation treatment vs surgery

Solomon, With early stage prostate cancer your cure rate is very high for both radiation therapy (external beam radiation and seed implants) and surgery. With surgery you have a higher risk of incontenence and impotence. Not to mention a hospital stay and the need for a catheter post op. With external beam radiation there may be some bowel side effects and you need to go for treatment Monday-Friday for about 8 1/2 weeks. Seed implants (brachytherapy) is a one time out patient procedure with minimal side effects. The most common side effect is frequent urination but this passes with time. You are smart to ask questions and look at all your treatment options. Here is a link to our website www.prostateimplant.com. There is useful information plus patient testimonials.

Hi Solomon, I'm on this site because I knew someone who recently died of cancer but my dad also had prostate cancer. He had radiation therapy six years ago (they caught his cancer at an early stage) and since then has had no subsequent problems. I think the surgery for him was too drastic; he didn't really need it, and the radiation therapy was a simpler yet just as successful solution. I know it hasn't been long since he had the therapy, but I read your post and want you to know that regardless of what you decide you will get through it!