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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Radiation Therapy A Must For Prostate Cancer?

I have prostate cancer, I am 81 years old and have had it for 6 years, my PSA is 17. I am very healthy biking, hiking, and exercising. At the present time I have no problems urinating or getting up more than one time at night, so why should I consider radiation at this time, and what are my expected side affects? Thank you DR.
posted on Tue, 23 Aug 2016
Twitter Fri, 28 Jun 2019 Answered on
Twitter Sat, 29 Jun 2019 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

At your age, the PSA of 17 is really high although you feel healthy great and doing your hobby activities.

However, your urologist might have run other tests like ct-scan of abdomen, sonography, and others that might have some clues to support the radiation therapy.

Apart the good effect in neutralizing cancer cells with the similar cure rates as prostaectomy, radiation will cause less side effects when it comes to urinary incontinence and long-term sexual side effects.

So as your doctor has all your personal history, your disease history, and other comorbidities, and examine your actual health status, please follow your urologist's advice.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Albana Sejdini, General & Family Physician
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Is Radiation Therapy A Must For Prostate Cancer?

Hello, At your age, the PSA of 17 is really high although you feel healthy great and doing your hobby activities. However, your urologist might have run other tests like ct-scan of abdomen, sonography, and others that might have some clues to support the radiation therapy. Apart the good effect in neutralizing cancer cells with the similar cure rates as prostaectomy, radiation will cause less side effects when it comes to urinary incontinence and long-term sexual side effects. So as your doctor has all your personal history, your disease history, and other comorbidities, and examine your actual health status, please follow your urologist s advice. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Albana Sejdini, General & Family Physician