The cancer had been totally contained in the prostate the lab concluded after mine was removed. Well, not exactly. Six years later it came back. Since they can't locate the cancer cells, they assume that they are located in the general area of the prostate. So that's where I had the radiation treatments.
So far 5-years with no recurrence. The advantage of choosing to have it surgically removed is that if it returns, you have a second crack at it with radiation. If start with radiation, then your only option is hormone therapy which really eats away your muscle mass. I had that too as part of an experimental program in conjunction with both the operation and the radiation.
According to my urologist, when the cancer gets to the bone, that's it. It's apparently very painful.
Man, I sure hope that I haven't gone over the line "giving advice anonymously".
Al