My father is in his upper eighties and has just been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He is in excellent health otherwise. The doctor basically recommended his treatment be either (1) do nothing, or (2) radiation treatment. Doctors don't seem to want to treat prostate cancer in an older man. I have two questions really:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of starting radiation therapy? The doctor says the side affects are pretty minor (including nausea, etc). I think he may not be telling us the whole story.

2. I asked the doctor if the cancer had spread outside the prostate and he didn't seem to either know or care. This seems strange to me. I would think this would be important information. Am I wrong?

Any words or encouragement would be appreciated. Thanks!

[This message has been edited by CaptainJack (edited 09-15-2003).]

Captan Jack

If your father is up in his late eighties and in good heath otherwise, the best thing may be to wait. All of the treatments from seeds to surgey have side effects an risks. His age would be a big factor.
The doctor should be able to answer the question of how far it had spread. If he won't think about changing doctors. A urologist is one of the best specialists to go to.
Remember prostate cancer is heraditary so have yourself checked as well.