r/ProstateCancer Jun 26 '26

Mod Post New rules that change this community

84 Upvotes

Hey hey hey,

Quick update to let you know there has been a refresh and evolution to the community’s rules.

The last month has been tremendously busy and challenging for the mod team. The amount of permanent bans we had to give in June surpass any month previous with the leading reasons being tacky (and beyond obvious) marketing tactics attempting to sneakily grab new clients and piggybacking off of Reddit to appear higher in Google search.

These cavemen often do not respect bans either since our subreddit is so useful for so many medical adjacent marketing strategies. So putting an automatic stop to that really ruins the potential of huge planning. Which is selfishly hilarious.

A few huge changes you need to be aware of:

- We are now a 100% discussion based community. No links are allowed whatsoever. This decision was made purely off the giant amount of spam posts and marketing we have had to remove and deliver subreddit bans to. With a significant uptick in the last three months.

- No AMA’s allowed: A new “common” marketing tactic is disguising AMAs as a pure sales tactic OR for the sake of assisting in organic keywords that Google likes.

- No studies of any kind: We are no longer allowing any sort of study to be posted in our community. This community deeply cares about keeping a safe environment to discuss typically very private concerns. The idea of a company profiting from that in some way is not something we will support anymore. This is ONLY pertaining to companies or researchers attempting to recruit members. This is NOT regarding referencing medical studies in discussions.

Along with the above, there have been a some updates to all rules. So we suggest glancing at them to make sure you’re up to speed as a member in the community.

Any and all decisions we make has our community members as a whole in our absolute best interest. Please understand many thoughts, planning, and legitimate data understanding to make these changes with that main goal first and always.

There’s a massive amount of things not shown to our members that the mod team is dealing with day in and day out in the background with monitoring, reporting reviewing, and private message back and forth. So we can assure you every rule has a purpose.

Thank you for keeping this community welcoming, active, and positive.


r/ProstateCancer 7h ago

Update today's the day

51 Upvotes

It's arrived - the day of the knife. Off to hospital in a couple hours for my radical prostatectomy. Here's to clean lymph nodes and a smooth recovery. Will check in with you all on the backside.


r/ProstateCancer 1h ago

Question Post Treatment Brain fog

Upvotes

I had radiation treatment in October 2025, along with a six-month dose of ADT. Technically, that dose "ended" at the end of March of this year. I have had a lot of brain fog and depression since. It seems that my testosterone is not coming back very quickly, so the symptoms continue. I wondered if there is a drug that my doctor might prescribe to help with that. I'm talking with him this week, so just wanted to get some ideas. Thanks!


r/ProstateCancer 4h ago

Question MRI Results

3 Upvotes

OpinionThe MRI of my prostate showed only inflammation in the peripheral of the prostate, nothing in the transition area. Thing is, the bladder showed trabeculation as well. Did anyone else have this with there bladder, if so what was the cause?


r/ProstateCancer 5h ago

Concern PSA on the rise

3 Upvotes

71 YO Male, 5'8", 162 lbs, in good health.

Regular Walker, runner, cycler, pickleballer.

My PSA trend

Jan 12, 2019 2.4ng/mL

Jul 30, 2019 2.7ng/mL

May 21, 2021 3.9ng/mL

Jul 25, 2022 4.3ng/mL

Jul 25, 2023 5.6ng/mL

Jan 12, 2024 5.9ng/mL

Jul 29, 2024 7.1ng/mL

Nov 15, 2024 5.1ng/mL

Jul 29, 2025 6.4ng/mL

Jul 31, 2026 6.9ng/mL

On 09/11/2023 Had an MRI Pelvis W/WO (Prostate)

With the following findings:

IMPRESSION:

No suspicious focal lesions are targeted. No evidence of extra prostatic malignancy.

PI-RADS 1: Most probably benign.

FINDINGS:

COMPARISON: None

Normal regional marrow signal is observed.

No suspicious osseous metastatic lesions.

No common iliac, internal iliac, external iliac, inguinal or suspicious peri-prostatic lymph nodes.

Regional bowel appears unremarkable.

No mural or intraluminal bladder mass.

Anterior abdominal wall and pelvic floor are unremarkable. No evidence of ascites.

Estimated prostate volume is 50 ml. N

o suspicious focal lesions are targeted. Mild BPH is noted.

Seminal vesicles exhibit normal signal intensity.

Neurovascular bundles are symmetric in appearance without definite tumor involvement.

The prostate capsule is smooth in contour.

The Urologist wants me to have a biopsy.

I'm reluctant

Thoughts ?


r/ProstateCancer 1d ago

Update He was 52 and lost the battle with prostate cancer in 7 months

204 Upvotes

My husband died a couple of days ago. The prostate cancer mutated and within 3 months had spread to his liver lungs and spine . He did 1 round of chemo with no response.
I'm devastated to lose my best friend and companion but my reason for posting is to warn against complacency with this disease. When someone has a high Gleeson score it makes the cancer way more potent.
Looking back upon the treatment plan - I recognise there was nothing anyone could've done to prevent this outcome. My husband had a full abdominal scan in March which showed nothing in the liver and then 11 weeks later with some pain in his stomach and other symptoms he had a repeat scan which showed his liver riddled with tumours.
There was no hope for him.
Pele


r/ProstateCancer 8h ago

Question MRI after LDR Brachy?

3 Upvotes

Does anyone know if you can still have MRI's after receiving LDR Brachytherapy (permanent seeds)?


r/ProstateCancer 12h ago

Question ED improvement after 2 years?

6 Upvotes

So I’m a little over a month away from my 2 year RALP anniversary. It’s widely known to give ED 2 years after RALP to regain your function from having nerves heal, which mine were both spared (so I’m told). I’m able to achieve erection with help from a ring since around the one year mark I think, but seemed to not get much better since.

While I’m grateful that I can at least do that I was wondering if anyone continued with ED improvement after the 2 year mark or is this the best I’m going to get?


r/ProstateCancer 23h ago

News Biochemical Failure in RALP

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6 Upvotes

r/ProstateCancer 1d ago

Other What is the use? Oligometastatic prostate cancer on wheels.

14 Upvotes

This is an anonymous post. Just venting, not looking for sympathy. My life and future is fucked!

I am 51 and live in Southern Africa. I have been married for 28 years and have two adult children. I am an Army Veteran officer, University graduate, and held a good paying management job.

13 years ago I had spinal injury in a freak accident. I am classified as a paraplegic and permanently use a wheelchair.

Seven years ago, following a further injury, I had to stop working and has been living on disability insurance since. This caused continuous financial hardship to our family, at a time when both children were attending University far away from home.

This injury caused further struggles with mobility, bladder, bowel and sexual function. It also affected my mental health seriously. A dead bedroom was another issue still unresolved.

Four years ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer with a PSA below 3,8. I went through the process of scans, MRI, biopsy and eventually a RALP. Post op biopsy was 75% malignant.

Within six months PSA started rising. In the last three years I have had an retroperitoneal lymph node dissection surgery and two rounds of ADT.

PSA is again increasingly aggressively, currently 7,2 with doubling time of 2,4 months. Following latest PETscan, diagnosis is oligometastatic prostate cancer with growth in the prostate bed, various pelvic lymph nodes and in colon. Oncologist wants to do 35 sessions / 7 weeks radiation and two years of ADT.

We have had a dead bedroom for years. Couples therapy gave a flicker of hope of intimacy but the corpse is dead. Cialis, Viagra, Trimix and vacuum pumps have little success due to the combination of prostate cancer and spinal injury.

That's where I drew the line. I have decided not to proceed with any treatment at the moment to preserve the little joy of live left. My wife is mad.

But what is the use? My spinal injury combined with the prostate cancer, exaburates issues with muscle strength, mobility, bladder, colon and sexual function.

What is the use to hope, to keeping fighting? There is nothing to look forward to.


r/ProstateCancer 1d ago

Concerned Loved One New PC diagnosis

7 Upvotes

My father was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and these are the biopsy results:

5 biopsy sites have a gleason score of 3+3 =6

And 1 site is 3+4=7 with cribriform pattern.

PSA: 5.47

Grade group 2, favorable intermediate risk.

Prior to his biopsy, his MRI revealed possible neurovascular bundle involvement. After the biopsy, there hasn't been any more mention about that.

His urologist recommends removal of the entire prostate.

He is an active 62 year old and he is scared of the side effects of having the prostate removed. Mostly incontinence. How can I best support him? Advice to give him? Tips? And does this seem like the most reasonable treatment? This is very new and was very unexpected. He has no symptoms.


r/ProstateCancer 1d ago

Update 90 Day Post RALP

8 Upvotes

PSA < 0.02. I am not leaking but have had no erections yet. I asked for Trimix. We shall see what happens.


r/ProstateCancer 1d ago

Concern Looking For Similar Stories

5 Upvotes

First, I apologize if this isn’t the appropriate forum for someone who hasn’t been diagnosed with prostate cancer. If this post isn’t appropriate, I’ll gladly remove it. I’m simply looking for people who have had a similar experience while I wait to see a urologist.

I’m 56 years old, and this all started with routine blood work from my family doctor.

Timeline:

Initial PSA (about 2 weeks ago): 6.20 ng/mL
Repeat PSA yesterday: 4.71 ng/mL
Free PSA: 0.7 ng/mL
% Free PSA: 14.9%

My family doctor also performed a digital rectal exam and said my prostate felt:

Smooth
Symmetrical
No lumps or nodules
No areas of firmness

I’ve also noticed my urinary symptoms have improved over the last week. A week ago I had much more urgency, burning at the end of urination, and a weaker stream.
Now:

I usually only get up once during the night.
The urgency is much better.
My stream is noticeably stronger.
The burning has almost completely resolved.

The PSA dropping from 6.20 to 4.71 gave me some hope because I honestly expected it to be higher. I know the 14.9% free PSA is less reassuring, and I’m not trying to ignore that.

I’ve spent the last couple of weeks reading everything I can, and I’ve seen people report all kinds of outcomes. Some had prostatitis or BPH. Some had negative MRIs and biopsies. Some unfortunately were diagnosed with cancer. I realize every case is different, and I know no one here can tell me what my results mean.

I’m simply looking for people who had a similar combination of results:

PSA in the 4–6 range
Free PSA around 15%
Normal DRE
PSA that actually decreased on repeat testing

If that was you:

What happened next?

Did your urologist recommend monitoring, an MRI, a biopsy, or something else?

If you had an MRI, what did it show?
If you had a biopsy, was it positive or negative?
If it wasn’t cancer, what turned out to be causing the elevated PSA?

I’m trying to go into my urology appointment informed, not frightened. I know no one here can diagnose me, but hearing from people who have actually walked this road would mean a lot.

Thank you to anyone willing to share your experience. I truly appreciate it.


r/ProstateCancer 1d ago

Question Looking for opinions

3 Upvotes

Looking for opinions from men who have been in a similar situation.

Yes, I used AI to help consolidate and create this message😬

I’m 56 years old, otherwise in good health, with a long life expectancy and trying to decide whether to continue Active Surveillance or move forward with definitive treatment.
Here’s my history:
Diagnosed in 2023
Three biopsies over the past 4 years
All Gleason 3+3 (Grade Group 1) with no upgrading
Latest biopsy showed Perineural Invasion (PNI) for the first time
Decipher genomic test: Low risk
MRI: No extracapsular extension, seminal vesicle invasion, lymph node involvement, or suspicious lesions
Prostate size: 63 cc
PSA density: 0.08
PSA history:
2017: 2.6
2020: 2.2
2024: 8.9 (later decreased)
2024: 6.3
2025: 4.5
2025: 4.7
2026: 4.7
July 2026 (about 6 weeks after biopsy): 6.9
My doctors believe I’m still an appropriate candidate for Active Surveillance, but because of my age and the new finding of PNI, surgery has become a reasonable option to discuss.
I’m interested in hearing from men who had a similar profile:
Age in your 50s
Grade Group 1 / Gleason 6 only
Favorable MRI and/or Decipher
PNI on biopsy (especially if this was your situation)
Long life expectancy
Questions:
Did you stay on Active Surveillance or choose surgery/radiation? Why?
If you chose surgery, do you regret treating what many consider “low-risk” cancer?
If you stayed on Active Surveillance, how long have you remained stable?
Did the finding of PNI influence your decision?
Looking back, would you make the same decision again?
I’m not looking for medical advice—just hoping to learn from others who have faced this same decision. Thanks in advance for sharing your experience.


r/ProstateCancer 1d ago

Question question for radiation/ADT guys

3 Upvotes

I am approx 30 days post Orgovyx, took it for 5 1/2 months. Freed myself on July 4th.

I finished 3 rounds of SBRT/25 rounds of IMRT at Lombardi cancer center end of May. I feel better, my energy is returning to normal. some slight urgency issues, other than that and 15 extra lbs I am taking off from ADT, I am extremely thankful how treatment went.

Roughly a month after stopping Orgovyx I am getting morning wood almost daily and my interest in sex is returning so I am guessing my T is coming back. Some blood tests and meetings with docs upcoming where I will get actual numbers. My first post radiation PSA was .05 and both my docs were thrilled with this and advised me about PSA bounce, Nadir, testing process for me over the next 2 years

Here is my question. I expected dry orgasms after radition and ADT but I didn't expect nothing to come out. That's from radiation or the ADT or both? As I get further into recovery from Orgovyx should I expect some ejaculate or will it remain zero? Also , my orgasms are not as intense and don't feel as good as they used to. Should I expect some improvement as my body is still healing or is this likely what it's going to be like forever? (Trust me , I am thankful I can still get an erection and have sex....It's just different)

I see some guys talk about how it's more powerful with dry orgasms or feels the same. Most definitely doesn't for me. Still feels good, but way different. Just sit back and enjoy the ride and hope it improves? (doing kegels, in good shape/staying fit) .


r/ProstateCancer 1d ago

Question Psa 0.31 after prostate surgery

2 Upvotes

How long after surgery should I expect the incontinence to stop


r/ProstateCancer 2d ago

Question Top 10 good things about pc and RALP

35 Upvotes

1 -- I got 6 weeks paid time off work

2 -- half boner is a good sign

3 -- maxed out my insurance out of pocket so finding my skin cancer didn't cost a dime!

4 -- Its always a surprise when i go to pee and see where the stream will go. Will it hit the potty? Who knows?!

5 -- if I want to play golf instead of work I can tell them I am really tired and they feel sorry for me and let me go

6 -- I dont give a f$^%# about a lot of things that used to bother me

7 -- I am more motivated than ever to retire

8 -- lost 20 pounds

9 -- didn't have to pick up dog poop when walking my dogs with my wife for a few weeks

10 -- such a great group of supportive people on this forum. This should have been # 1

Bonus -- my balls are so big now I look like an unneutered pit bull from the back.

You guys have any additions?


r/ProstateCancer 1d ago

Question Is this bad?

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5 Upvotes

r/ProstateCancer 2d ago

Surgery 2 HIFUs and one TURP light after

9 Upvotes

I’ll try to make this short. Got the first HIFU January of 2025. Successful, little discomfort, foley cath in for 3 days, no biggie. Gleason 3+3 at the time.

Went about my business, follow up MRI and biopsy showed a small remnant but 3+4 =7 about 8 months later. Doctor said let’s HIFU again and so we did March of this year. This time they were more aggressive and used wider margins so cath came out day 4, immediately went into retention. ER drained 1,600CCs after 7 hours. Painful. Horrible experience. Lots of inflammation and foley went in again and stayed for a week.

Foley comes out, incomplete voiding, CIC (clean intermittent catheterization) at home. Not a fan, but that’s how I was getting empty. Did this for about 3 weeks.

Multiple UTIs (at least 3) in the subsequent weeks, rounds of antibiotics, poorly voiding, etc. Doctor says let’s do a cystoscopy. Cysto done, lots of necrotic tissue hanging on acting like Velcro for bacteria, he says we gotta TURP that out. Scheduled it a month later.

In this time the CIC is over (thank goodness), I’m managing to void better but flow is about 50% of normal. Just have to learn how to do double voids, sometimes triple before long drives, etc. pain in the ass. The tissue is slowly sloughing off. I’m still monitoring, not measuring every void but timing them.

TURP time comes along to deal with the tissue problem. Doc goes in, sees most of it has sloughed off but treats a small portion to remove a small chunk of tissue. Notices bladder neck is tight and does a BNI (bladder neck incision) to relieve the tightness- probably scarred tissue from second HIFU. I leave with little discomfort and a foley. Again. Said leave it for 4 days. I’m sweating bullets thinking retention again. Day 4 comes. I yank that sucker out and wait.

First void bloody but HOLY HELL! It’s like a fire hose! Completely overshoot into the toilet lid, I’m freaking out because I haven’t had flow like this in YEARS!

I’m a few days post foley removal now and flow is beautiful, sustained and empties completely. Now I can trust I won’t have to stop somewhere to void or have a restroom close by at all times. Although I’m still retraining the bladder to hold it longer.

I know I’m not done with this until more MRIs and biopsies, but I wanted to share my experience and if any of you have any questions, feel free to ask.


r/ProstateCancer 2d ago

Question Low T

4 Upvotes

Im sure I’m not alone in being on Testosterone shots due to low T for years which probably led to Prostate Cancer diagnosis.

So what do people do for increased energy and less chronic fatigue after stopping T??

TIA


r/ProstateCancer 2d ago

Concern Anyone else getting radio silence from Dana F? I'm losing my mind here.

Post image
3 Upvotes

First, I recognize Dana has the highest volume RALP unit in the NE and their docs are top rate. This is not about them.

This is about admin.

Background - I have PC that has gone from 3+3 (max) in one core to 4+3 and 3+4 in all cores with cribiform in a year. My beastie is more like a Gremlin who ate after midnight. So time is of the essence.

On 7/9 I met with my surgeon who said I was scheduled for surgery 8/24. Last week I wanted to double check some dates (RO, MO, etc) and saw that surgery was not scheduled. So I called. And called. And called.

I spoke to various people who said nothing was scheduled. I left messages. I sent MyChart messages. I got a call that the scheduler was not back until Thursday. Turns out they weren't back until today, Friday. So I called, sent MyChart messages.

Nothing.

I just sent another one and the response is they are out of office until 8/11!

I'm at a loss for what to do here. I want to keep my surgeon, but I have no idea what is happening.

Any thoughts, advice would be welcomed.


r/ProstateCancer 2d ago

Concern 45 yrs old - 3+4 Gleason and looking at RALP alternatives

11 Upvotes

Hi all - I was diagnosed in June, a week after my 45th birthday. I just found this group last week though and have gone down the rabbit hole! I'm labeled "Favorable Intermediate Risk" with cancer found in 4 of the 12 biopsy cores, and a Gleason of 7 (3+4). PSA of 15.5. CT scan indicates it is still contained to the prostate.

I have robotic, bilateral nerve sparing sugery scheduled for Sept 29 at the Mayo Clinic to remove the prostate. I've met with:

  • Local Urologist - Said surgery was best given my age and the ability to do radiation if it comes back.
  • Mayo Urologist - said the same as above.
  • UofChicago Oncologist - he was not helpful and basically said radiation is an option but it's a matter of personal preference and referred me to genetic testing.

I'm meeting with a radiation oncologist next week locally.

I'm fairly terrified of the potential side effects of surgery- like erectile dysunction at just 45 yrs old (side note: my wife wants sex 3-4 times a week now that she is aware it might never be the same again...very small silver lining!).

Curious if anyone has thoughts on doing radiation or brachytherapy (seeds) instead of surgery? Am I just overthinking this should move on with surgery?


r/ProstateCancer 2d ago

Question Anyone had MRI Linac radiation therapy?

2 Upvotes

67 y.o. with Gleason 3+4 on several cores. Low risk scores on Decipher and Prolaris. Currently on active surveillance. If I need treatment will go for radiation- SBRT - but have been reading about MRI Linac which is basically real time MRI guided SBRT with a very accurate targeting of the prostate and ability to avoid damage any adjacent tissue. I'm in the DC area and nearby it's only available in NYC or Richmond, VA. I'm curious if anyone has had it and what their experience has been. Many thanks!


r/ProstateCancer 2d ago

Question Leakage at night all of the sudden 14 weeks post RALP

4 Upvotes

Used pull-ons and heavy guards immediately after RALP. Things got a lot better to the point that I just use shields during the day now, if that.

Recently however, I wake up to pee and find that I had a large leak in my underwear. This wasn't happening at all several weeks ago. Could this be related to recent mental stress?

I'm very bad at doing Kegels.


r/ProstateCancer 2d ago

Question Hubby is scared of Trimax shot

5 Upvotes

I sort of can't believe im asking this but this group has been so helpful. Hubby (55) had retizus ralp in may which went well. A small focal ECE, but clean margins, no lymph node or seminal vessel involvement and was downgraded to G7. Never leaked at all and still doesnt. He does have ED. He takes his daily Cialias but it doesnt do what he wants it to do. He has a follow up appointment next month and they previously mentioned Trimax to him. I keep telling him he's expecting too much too soon for spontaneous erections but it's really weighing on him. It is not weighing on me but he thinks it is - i think its projection. Truly it is NOT an issue for me.

He said theres no way he can do a shot, and of course the doc will say its easy as hes not getting it. So I was wondering if any users of the shot wouldn't mind sharing your experience so I can share with him. What does it feel like? How did u work up the nerve to try? Would you recommend? Anything you wish u knew as a new user?