Jerry--I went through the prostate cancer decision-making scenario in 2005. (Not an easy process!)My brother who is two years older than I am (70) also has prostate cancer and he chose the Radioactive Seed Implants as the least intrusive "cure."
Here's the problem with the seeds--once installed you cannot have corrective surgery afterwards. As a layman, the way I understand it is the prostate gland turns to "mush" and cannot be surgically removed afterwards. If the cancer cells are not ALL killed they can move to other organs, etc. like your lymph nodes (very bad) or your bones (also very bad).
Here's the way I looked at it when my PSA was at 9.2--I HAVE CANCER--period. I can be proactive and remove the cancer from my body BEFORE it spreads--or I can take the route my brother took with t he implants that DOES work for some people.
I chose radical surgery. I wanted the cancer OUT of my body. Now there is a price to pay if you go the surgical route; a LONG recovery period and major adjustments to sex. (The sex part can be LESS traumatic if you decide to leave in the nerve packet, but the packet may also contain cancer cells.)
As males (Especially T-type Alpha males!) we all tend to be over protective to our sexual packaging--but when the choice comes down to; "quality of life", death or good sex--one has to make that decision themselves as to what is more important. There are also other spin-offs where you can end up wearing a catheter the rest of your life...etc.
I'm not trying to scare you JL--just tell it like it is. You HAVE cancer--now you can play the "watchful waiting game" or feel sorry for yourself--but remember, prostate cancer rarely is the killer--it kills when it spreads to other organs.
Last month my brother's PSA jumped to over 50--he has been diagnosed with PSA cancer in his bones and it is spreading. There are some recent excellent treatments for him--but he knows he will die from prostate generated cancer--hopefully years from now--but....he is cursed to go through a LOT of medical treatment to stay alive.
My PSA is less than .001. I speed walk 5 miles a day; do 100 push-ups (Old man style!) and life is good.
I hope this note helps you at least a little. There is no easy way out once you have prostate cancer.
If you chose surgery--don't be afraid to QUESTION your surgeon--how many prostrate surgeries has he/she done--what was the rate of complications? if he/she is worth their surgical salt they will NOT be offended. It's YOUR body they are working on-protect it!
ZLOTNIK