New Diagnosis - also age 40

ATLSteve
ATLSteve Member Posts: 4
edited March 2014 in Prostate Cancer #1
I didn't want to highjack the other thread so I figured I'd start my own (somewhat similar story though). Had a routine physical last fall and PCP ran a PSA test. PSA was 2.8. Tried Levoquil for 2 weeks - next PSA went up to 3.5. Referred to urologist ... back on Levoquil for a month (stronger dose) and PSA went back down to 2.8 ... then on Bactim for a month and back up to 3.6

Had a biopsy a week ago and they found 10% on 1 sample (out of 12). Urologist said pathologist gave it lowest Gleason 6 he gives. Now my urologist wants me to talk with the ProstRcision clinic here in ATL.

Reading a lot of the stories here, maybe I've downplayed this situation too much. I certainly can't see having my prostate removed with these findings at age 40. I just received and read the materials from the Prost clinic. They tout good results, but of course that's expected. It's any potential side effects that I wonder about. Had no real problems with the biopsy (no pain, minimal bleeding, still some blood in semen) so I don't know if that should translate to feeling good about minimal side effects from radiation.

I guess I'm in the research and analyze phase. No kids and quality of life is far more important to me than quantity of life.
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Comments

  • Olee
    Olee Member Posts: 97
    Also Diagnosed at 40
    Hi Steve. I was also diagnosed at 40 and just had Da Vinci surgery on February 19th. My gleason score was 7 with 9 out of 18 cores positive. Our age is an important factor in the treatment we choose, for many reasons. I am very aware of the clinic you mentioned and was referred there by a co-worker at one time. I chose my treatment for various reasons. My advice would be to consult with the clinic, which you obviously have, and to set up a consult with a surgeon to get a balanced view of your options. By your screen name being ATL I am assuming you are in Atlanta, which means we are in the same city. I would suggest Dr. Scott Miller who performed my robotic surgery. He was the first surgeon in Ga to perform the Da Vinci robotic surgery back in 2003 and teaches the method as well. I know that being diagnosed at 40 is something that is uncommon but not unfounded. I have received alot of questions about my age and diagnosis. I consider myself extremely fortunate to this day that my family physician is just one of the out of the ordinary that happens to screen for PC starting at 40 and not 50. Upon my last visit to him I shook his hand and thanked him repeatedly for screening me. I would be glad to answer any questions you may have.
    Please feel free to email me. AlanLee2001@hotmail.com
  • whubbs
    whubbs Member Posts: 77
    Me too
    Steve,
    Like Olee, I found it early, at age 41. I had a Gleason score 3+3, 3 of 12 cores positive with 25% activity.
    Despite the antibiotics, fact is there is a positive core.

    I'm not up on the side effects of ProstRcision, but do keep in mind that radiation treatments do not differentiate nerves from prostate cells. This usually translates to nerve damage relating to erectile dysfunction.
    Chances of incontinence is improved with ProstRcision because it doesn't involve removal of the apex. If the cancer were to spread, the apex is typically where it 'leaks'. This is why prostatectomies remove that area, which causes damage to the muscle at the base of the bladder.
    Also, surgery options are reduced if you radiate the area of the prostate first.
    From what I've read, and what ultimately led me to have a robotic prostatectomy, is the fact that if your Gleason score is low, biopsy is low in terms of cancer cell penetration, you're young and erectile function is high on priorities, robotic seems to have more benefits than most other treatments.
    Though, from what I've heard, ProstRcision is getting great reviews as well.
    Be sure to educate yourself to ALL of the side effects and how that will affect your quality of life. I think both treatments will support your "quantity of life".
    Feel free to contact me as well, cobrabite427@yahoo.com I'd be happy to walk you through my robotic treatment, the issues I've faced and continue to face.
    Good luck and keep posting here, this community is a wealth of information and support.
    -Wayne
  • ismetals
    ismetals Member Posts: 69
    whubbs said:

    Me too
    Steve,
    Like Olee, I found it early, at age 41. I had a Gleason score 3+3, 3 of 12 cores positive with 25% activity.
    Despite the antibiotics, fact is there is a positive core.

    I'm not up on the side effects of ProstRcision, but do keep in mind that radiation treatments do not differentiate nerves from prostate cells. This usually translates to nerve damage relating to erectile dysfunction.
    Chances of incontinence is improved with ProstRcision because it doesn't involve removal of the apex. If the cancer were to spread, the apex is typically where it 'leaks'. This is why prostatectomies remove that area, which causes damage to the muscle at the base of the bladder.
    Also, surgery options are reduced if you radiate the area of the prostate first.
    From what I've read, and what ultimately led me to have a robotic prostatectomy, is the fact that if your Gleason score is low, biopsy is low in terms of cancer cell penetration, you're young and erectile function is high on priorities, robotic seems to have more benefits than most other treatments.
    Though, from what I've heard, ProstRcision is getting great reviews as well.
    Be sure to educate yourself to ALL of the side effects and how that will affect your quality of life. I think both treatments will support your "quantity of life".
    Feel free to contact me as well, cobrabite427@yahoo.com I'd be happy to walk you through my robotic treatment, the issues I've faced and continue to face.
    Good luck and keep posting here, this community is a wealth of information and support.
    -Wayne

    same here
    Sounds like I've had the same experince as whubbs. The only difference is I was 59 when diagnosed. Since then life is good and improving in the ed department. My E-mail is ismetals@verizen.net if you want any more detailed info.
    Good luck
  • ATLSteve
    ATLSteve Member Posts: 4
    ismetals said:

    same here
    Sounds like I've had the same experince as whubbs. The only difference is I was 59 when diagnosed. Since then life is good and improving in the ed department. My E-mail is ismetals@verizen.net if you want any more detailed info.
    Good luck

    Thanks for the notes. So
    Thanks for the notes. So I'm curious why everyone seemed to opt for surgery/removal. Was the extent of the cancer?
  • whubbs
    whubbs Member Posts: 77
    ATLSteve said:

    Thanks for the notes. So
    Thanks for the notes. So I'm curious why everyone seemed to opt for surgery/removal. Was the extent of the cancer?

    Surgery
    ATLSteve-

    I think it's premature to say that 'everyone' has opted for surgery, perhaps lately you are seeing more post up, but there are representatives of almost every therapy out there posting up on this site.
    I think it is clear though, that surgery has a clear benefit over most all other treatments, specifically robotic surgery in that it yields the best results considering all of 3 issues;

    1. Oncological (Comparable 5 yr or 10 yr remission to all other treatments for low to mid range grade PCa)
    2. Erectile Function (Best return of erectile function than radiation treatments, which don't differentiate between prostate cells and nerve cells surrounding it)
    3. Incontinence (Worse return of bladder control over other treatments in that the chance of affect to the apex area and bladder sphincter are high in cases of capsular penetration and surgical inexperience) - Note: There are some world class surgeons pioneering a 'catheter-less' surgery style with robotic precision. Dr. Tewari in NYC is one.

    In my opinion (from what I've read);

    If your a man that is young, active, sexually active, have a low to mid grade PCa and concerned with oncological results, robotic is a good match.

    If your an older man, maybe not as sexually active as you used to be, but still engage, or have a higher grade PCa (indication of more involved per biopsy or higher Gleason score), perhaps a precision radiation treatment is better.

    If your an older man with an even higher grade PCa or capsular penetration is a larger concern, seeding radiation is a good oncological treatment.

    If your much older, no longer sexually active, watch and wait may be preferred.
    Personally, I can't imagine anyone under 70 to be watching and waiting.
    Yes, it CAN be slow growing, but once it has metastasized it can accelerate.

    I've also read, obese men would benefit most from perineal open prostatectomy.
  • ATLSteve
    ATLSteve Member Posts: 4
    whubbs said:

    Surgery
    ATLSteve-

    I think it's premature to say that 'everyone' has opted for surgery, perhaps lately you are seeing more post up, but there are representatives of almost every therapy out there posting up on this site.
    I think it is clear though, that surgery has a clear benefit over most all other treatments, specifically robotic surgery in that it yields the best results considering all of 3 issues;

    1. Oncological (Comparable 5 yr or 10 yr remission to all other treatments for low to mid range grade PCa)
    2. Erectile Function (Best return of erectile function than radiation treatments, which don't differentiate between prostate cells and nerve cells surrounding it)
    3. Incontinence (Worse return of bladder control over other treatments in that the chance of affect to the apex area and bladder sphincter are high in cases of capsular penetration and surgical inexperience) - Note: There are some world class surgeons pioneering a 'catheter-less' surgery style with robotic precision. Dr. Tewari in NYC is one.

    In my opinion (from what I've read);

    If your a man that is young, active, sexually active, have a low to mid grade PCa and concerned with oncological results, robotic is a good match.

    If your an older man, maybe not as sexually active as you used to be, but still engage, or have a higher grade PCa (indication of more involved per biopsy or higher Gleason score), perhaps a precision radiation treatment is better.

    If your an older man with an even higher grade PCa or capsular penetration is a larger concern, seeding radiation is a good oncological treatment.

    If your much older, no longer sexually active, watch and wait may be preferred.
    Personally, I can't imagine anyone under 70 to be watching and waiting.
    Yes, it CAN be slow growing, but once it has metastasized it can accelerate.

    I've also read, obese men would benefit most from perineal open prostatectomy.

    Thanks
    Yeah, I guess I should have said that it seems most guys here are surgery proponents. And while "do nothing" is always an option in any decision-making process, it doesn't apply here (to me at least).

    I guess I view surgery as a last option - no matter what the situation. I've worked in the disability-related field for too many years that I'm naturally skeptical of rushing to cut. I've looked at thousands of medical files so maybe a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

    Of course, it doesn't help that my mom had lung cancer (not too advanced or severe), went through radiation and then her oncologist wanted to remove the remaining tissue. Though they had said having to remove the whole lung was a possibility, I'm not sure how much that was stressed. They did have to remove the lung and she died 2 weeks later in ICU from complications from the surgery (falll 2004). She might still be alive today had she not rushed to have the surgery. She was also one of those "get it out at all costs" mindsets. She had also just been passed through the process and neither her nor my dad asked enough questions or challenged folks.

    So my judgment here is prejudiced I think.
  • dukeskid
    dukeskid Member Posts: 24
    ATLSteve said:

    Thanks
    Yeah, I guess I should have said that it seems most guys here are surgery proponents. And while "do nothing" is always an option in any decision-making process, it doesn't apply here (to me at least).

    I guess I view surgery as a last option - no matter what the situation. I've worked in the disability-related field for too many years that I'm naturally skeptical of rushing to cut. I've looked at thousands of medical files so maybe a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

    Of course, it doesn't help that my mom had lung cancer (not too advanced or severe), went through radiation and then her oncologist wanted to remove the remaining tissue. Though they had said having to remove the whole lung was a possibility, I'm not sure how much that was stressed. They did have to remove the lung and she died 2 weeks later in ICU from complications from the surgery (falll 2004). She might still be alive today had she not rushed to have the surgery. She was also one of those "get it out at all costs" mindsets. She had also just been passed through the process and neither her nor my dad asked enough questions or challenged folks.

    So my judgment here is prejudiced I think.

    Understand your perspective...But
    Steve,

    Now I understand your perspective about surgery. As I was reading your thread, I was scratching my head not understanding.

    The surgery regarding the PC is much different than to lung surgery. There are side affects for sure - and all the guys on this site can talk to you about them more than I can - having discussions about my father's sex with my pop's doctor was so inappropriate for me. I just wanted to scream - I don't care if he has sex ever again - I just want him around! Today, the PC surgery is out-patient and not considered remotely life threatening. I don't mean to call you on it, but you said your quality of life was more important than your quantity - but it sounds like one of your main concerns is in regards to the surgery itself. Talk to your Dr. about the risk of the surgery - and the risk of a repeat of your mother's experience. I doubt there are many similarities.

    You are young. I think you are having a good perspective on this, and not rushing into things. I realize as a daughter of a PC survivor (one who lasted more than 5 years but who ultimately died of PC), I have no objectivity. I would urge you to treat this as agressively as possible. PC is slow-growing, but incredibly deadly over time.

    Duke's kid
  • tonybear
    tonybear Member Posts: 90
    prostate treatment
    i had what is called brachy therapy followed by tomo radiation. i had an exceptional doctor. he has a 98% success rate and a 1% to 2% side effect record. i have had no side effects. it wasn't an over night treatment, but i am happy with the results. at my 6 month check up he said every thing felt okay and my numbers are coming down. i am 54 and didn't care for being cut on. my wife didn't like the idea either. so we saw this doctor who gave me options and plenty of information. he then left the choice to me and the wife. good luck in your search.
  • bobshell1956
    bobshell1956 Member Posts: 18
    My Story
    I'm 53 and was diagnosed last November. PSA was 2.6 and DRE performed by my PCP indicated that I should have a biopsy. 1 out of 12 cores showed 10%. I went to see a Radio for brachytherapy consultation and was told that I would need hormone therapy and beam radiation before I could get the seeds (due to the size of my enlarged prostate). Went for second opinion and opted for RRP. I done a lot of research on this. I bought Dr. Walsh's book, talked to fellow co-workers who have had prostate cancer and visited various discussion boards. The message here is to research and analyze prior to making a decision. Best of luck.
  • jminnj
    jminnj Member Posts: 129 Member

    My Story
    I'm 53 and was diagnosed last November. PSA was 2.6 and DRE performed by my PCP indicated that I should have a biopsy. 1 out of 12 cores showed 10%. I went to see a Radio for brachytherapy consultation and was told that I would need hormone therapy and beam radiation before I could get the seeds (due to the size of my enlarged prostate). Went for second opinion and opted for RRP. I done a lot of research on this. I bought Dr. Walsh's book, talked to fellow co-workers who have had prostate cancer and visited various discussion boards. The message here is to research and analyze prior to making a decision. Best of luck.

    Age 47
    Steve, I was diagnosed in November at age 47. Very similar numbers. 2.9 on PSA, one core 10%positive. I looked at all of the options and decided that for me, in my situation, Robotic Surgery was the best option. Upon full biopsy, the cancer had impacted 35% of the gland, which surprised me given the low PSA, and only one positive core. I was fortunate that everything was contained to the middle of the gland.
    It is a personal choice we make, and you have to weigh all the factors and do what is best for you and your family. We are all here to help you with information. Best of luck on this journey.

    Take care,
    Joe
  • Trew
    Trew Member Posts: 932 Member
    Quality of Life?
    If you are serious about wanting quality of life, then you realy need to look at proton therapy. Find my threado proton sites and begin looking seriously at this alterntive to surgery. It is amazing how many doctors are treated with proton therapy at Loma Linda University Medical Center in CA. A little expensive perhaps, but like one guy told it, its like the price of a new car and its worth the cost to me. He did not want to risk the side effects of surgery.

    And after Proton therapy you can still father a child- impossible after surgery.
  • Swingshiftworker
    Swingshiftworker Member Posts: 1,017 Member
    ATLSteve said:

    Thanks
    Yeah, I guess I should have said that it seems most guys here are surgery proponents. And while "do nothing" is always an option in any decision-making process, it doesn't apply here (to me at least).

    I guess I view surgery as a last option - no matter what the situation. I've worked in the disability-related field for too many years that I'm naturally skeptical of rushing to cut. I've looked at thousands of medical files so maybe a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

    Of course, it doesn't help that my mom had lung cancer (not too advanced or severe), went through radiation and then her oncologist wanted to remove the remaining tissue. Though they had said having to remove the whole lung was a possibility, I'm not sure how much that was stressed. They did have to remove the lung and she died 2 weeks later in ICU from complications from the surgery (falll 2004). She might still be alive today had she not rushed to have the surgery. She was also one of those "get it out at all costs" mindsets. She had also just been passed through the process and neither her nor my dad asked enough questions or challenged folks.

    So my judgment here is prejudiced I think.

    Surgery as a LAST resort!
    I totally agree with you opinion that surgery should be used only as a LAST resort.

    This is particularly so with prostate cancer (not because of the risk of death, per se, which is always a possibility in any surgery) but because prostate surgery brings with it the risk of PERMANENT impotency, PERMANENT incontinence and, among other things caused by surgical "mistakes, the possibility of a perforated rectum and/or bladder, strictures in the urethra and the need for a TURP (Transurethral Electro-Resection of the Prostate) or the implantation of a new urinary sphincter.

    I'm almost 60 and it AMAZES me that robotic surgery is pushed as the "gold standard" treatment of choice for "young" men (less than 60) given the substantial surgical risks. Even if things go well, based on what I've read and what several urologists have told me, following surgery you could still be impotent for up to 2 YEARS! and incontinent for up to a year. This means that if you can't get it up after surgery, you'll have to try ED drugs, penile injections and penis pumps until you do AND if none of that works you'll have to get a penile implant to at least attain penetration even if you can't ejaculate and don't have any feeling of ejaculation any more. As for incontinence, you'll have to wear diapers and pads (and smell like pee) for up to a year and if that doesn't work you may have to wear a catheter and carry a urine bag around you for life.

    Granted many men don't develop these problems and apparently "most" men recover erectile function and continence following prostate surgery BUT NO ONE can guarantee that you will be one of the blessed and will regain erectile function and urinary control WITHOUT complications. If you troll the PCa forums (as I'm sure you already have) you'll find a number of HORROR stories from men who opted for surgery and continue to have ED and incontinence (among other problems) for years and years following surgery. Given these risks, it seems obvious to me that surgery should only be considered as a last resort for any man (let alone a young man) and that it should only be recommended when the man's life depends on physical removal of the prostate.

    So, I've already decided to opt for "active surveillance" pending treatment and am determined to avoid surgery (unless ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY) and there are lots of other options: Proton Beam Therapy Cyberknife or IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy), and HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) and Brachytherapy are at the top of that list. Check them out before deciding to let ANYONE cut you up for expediency's sake!

    BTW, there are recent reports on the Net of a study which showed that robotic surgery presents greater risks of ED and incontinence when compared to open surgery and the belief is this is due to primarily to the INEXPERIENCE of robotic surgeons and the suggestion is that anyone with less than 150 robotic surgeries under his (or her) belt is just "experimenting" on the patient. So, if you do decide on surgery, make sure your surgeon has as many surgeries as possible (preferably in the THOUSANDS) before you select him (or her) to cut you open to remove your prostate.

    Good luck!
  • randy_in_indy
    randy_in_indy Member Posts: 496 Member
    Trew said:

    Quality of Life?
    If you are serious about wanting quality of life, then you realy need to look at proton therapy. Find my threado proton sites and begin looking seriously at this alterntive to surgery. It is amazing how many doctors are treated with proton therapy at Loma Linda University Medical Center in CA. A little expensive perhaps, but like one guy told it, its like the price of a new car and its worth the cost to me. He did not want to risk the side effects of surgery.

    And after Proton therapy you can still father a child- impossible after surgery.

    oK guys I will weigh in on this thread but not now
    I am going to go have a fun time at neighbors party. I will tell you I have a defininte Opinion on this and some will not like what I post ...but I think I will tell it like it is ...stay tuned.
  • 2ndBase
    2ndBase Member Posts: 220
    Time
    Steve, I believe you have plenty of time to make a good decision and that you will. I had a very high psa and gleason of 9, and was given about two years if lucky, that was over 6 years ago. I had to take the radiation because the cancer had already spread. Radiation killed ALL the cancer cells in my prostate, which was confirmed by a secong biopsy over five years after the radiation. Side effects from the radiation were very small and though my psa is now well over 100 I live a nearly normal life. I account a lot of my success to getting all the stress out of my life and a very good marriage. I was only 52 when diagnosed, pretty young like you. You have a very low grade cancer which should be easily cured. Do not let anyone convince you they have the best solution. You have to decide what to do and live with whatever decision you make. I wish you all the best.
  • Trew
    Trew Member Posts: 932 Member

    Surgery as a LAST resort!
    I totally agree with you opinion that surgery should be used only as a LAST resort.

    This is particularly so with prostate cancer (not because of the risk of death, per se, which is always a possibility in any surgery) but because prostate surgery brings with it the risk of PERMANENT impotency, PERMANENT incontinence and, among other things caused by surgical "mistakes, the possibility of a perforated rectum and/or bladder, strictures in the urethra and the need for a TURP (Transurethral Electro-Resection of the Prostate) or the implantation of a new urinary sphincter.

    I'm almost 60 and it AMAZES me that robotic surgery is pushed as the "gold standard" treatment of choice for "young" men (less than 60) given the substantial surgical risks. Even if things go well, based on what I've read and what several urologists have told me, following surgery you could still be impotent for up to 2 YEARS! and incontinent for up to a year. This means that if you can't get it up after surgery, you'll have to try ED drugs, penile injections and penis pumps until you do AND if none of that works you'll have to get a penile implant to at least attain penetration even if you can't ejaculate and don't have any feeling of ejaculation any more. As for incontinence, you'll have to wear diapers and pads (and smell like pee) for up to a year and if that doesn't work you may have to wear a catheter and carry a urine bag around you for life.

    Granted many men don't develop these problems and apparently "most" men recover erectile function and continence following prostate surgery BUT NO ONE can guarantee that you will be one of the blessed and will regain erectile function and urinary control WITHOUT complications. If you troll the PCa forums (as I'm sure you already have) you'll find a number of HORROR stories from men who opted for surgery and continue to have ED and incontinence (among other problems) for years and years following surgery. Given these risks, it seems obvious to me that surgery should only be considered as a last resort for any man (let alone a young man) and that it should only be recommended when the man's life depends on physical removal of the prostate.

    So, I've already decided to opt for "active surveillance" pending treatment and am determined to avoid surgery (unless ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY) and there are lots of other options: Proton Beam Therapy Cyberknife or IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy), and HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) and Brachytherapy are at the top of that list. Check them out before deciding to let ANYONE cut you up for expediency's sake!

    BTW, there are recent reports on the Net of a study which showed that robotic surgery presents greater risks of ED and incontinence when compared to open surgery and the belief is this is due to primarily to the INEXPERIENCE of robotic surgeons and the suggestion is that anyone with less than 150 robotic surgeries under his (or her) belt is just "experimenting" on the patient. So, if you do decide on surgery, make sure your surgeon has as many surgeries as possible (preferably in the THOUSANDS) before you select him (or her) to cut you open to remove your prostate.

    Good luck!

    Makes sense to me about
    Makes sense to me about considering surgery last.
  • bdhilton
    bdhilton Member Posts: 846 Member
    I live in Atlanta; I am 55
    I live in Atlanta; I am 55 and had open surgery up in Chicago on March 3. I would look long and hard at your options and I know it must be unsettling being 40 and have to wrestle with this beast… We can all relate with you....

    From my perspective and my perspective only you are too young for radiation and you have several choices (including radiation) as your clinical grading seem low based on your statements…Radiation in my option should be used a plan B and you might come to this conclusion during your journey of selecting the best option for you and you only.

    Be careful of groups that are just marketing themselves…I would be happy to provide names of some surgeons in Atlanta and/or urologist if you want to move in that direction…Bottom line is that you want somebody with extensive experience and excellent results that can actually be measured (i.e not manipulated in marketing hype)….

    Having said that I will be having radiation 90-120 days out from my surgery because my Right Seminal Vesicles was positive for cancer after surgery but I am leaning towards MUSC Hollings Cancer Center (Charleston Medical School) out of Charleston, SC (actually their extension at Carolina Regional Cancer Center out of Myrtle Beach) that is a National recognized cancer treatment center in the USA there are only 64 of these in the USA. Emory also has one of these National recognized Cancer Centers too… So if I was looking at radiation I would be looking at Emory…but that is me…

    Best of luck and if you want to talk let me know as it is a real mind F&$*#@ at the beginning of this process for most of us and a slippery slope... bdh@bdhilton.com
  • randy_in_indy
    randy_in_indy Member Posts: 496 Member
    Trew said:

    Makes sense to me about
    Makes sense to me about considering surgery last.

    OMG...swingshift worker...you make surgery sound like the devil
    I AM HERE TO TELL EVERYONE...IF YOU DO YOUR HOMEWORK AND FIND A GOOD SURGEON...MINE WAS A "ROCK STAR" YOU CAN COME OUT THE OTHER SIDE....WITH...GUESS WHAT?

    1. NO CANCER
    2. NO INCONTINENCE
    3. PLENTY OF ORGASMS...'

    I AM HERE ON DAY 70 SOMETHING...WITH ALL OF THE THREE ITEMS LISTED ABOVE...

    GET REAL AND QUIT TRYING TO SCARE PEOPLE SWINGSHIFT.

    Randy in Indy....telling a real life story the way it is....
  • Swingshiftworker
    Swingshiftworker Member Posts: 1,017 Member

    OMG...swingshift worker...you make surgery sound like the devil
    I AM HERE TO TELL EVERYONE...IF YOU DO YOUR HOMEWORK AND FIND A GOOD SURGEON...MINE WAS A "ROCK STAR" YOU CAN COME OUT THE OTHER SIDE....WITH...GUESS WHAT?

    1. NO CANCER
    2. NO INCONTINENCE
    3. PLENTY OF ORGASMS...'

    I AM HERE ON DAY 70 SOMETHING...WITH ALL OF THE THREE ITEMS LISTED ABOVE...

    GET REAL AND QUIT TRYING TO SCARE PEOPLE SWINGSHIFT.

    Randy in Indy....telling a real life story the way it is....

    Not Trying To Scare Anyone -- Just Inform Them
    As I mentioned above, not everyone experiences the problems associated with prostate surgery and most men regain potency and continence following surgery. Apparently you are one of the "lucky" ones. Congratulations!

    However, these problems exist and INFORMED CONSENT requires your doctor to give you this information to assess the risks so that you can decide whether surgery is for you or not. In fact, I got all of the information listed -- which is completely factual -- from doctors, medical sources and patient reports.

    I know that there is a surgical bias on this board, but when a question is posted by someone new who looking for or needs information, I don't think it is fair to tell them -- Oh, I had no problems with MY surgery, so go for it." -- without also telling him that he may not be so lucky. That's what I was doing. So, don't even dare suggest that I'm trying to SCARE people.

    It's the truth about the potential complication of prostate surgery that's SCARY and everyone needs to know the TRUTH about those risks -- not just glowing success stories like yours. One of the truths is also that, if you decide on surgery, you need to find an experienced prostate surgeon to do it.

    On that count, we agree and I've already made an effort to develop a list of such people that I hope I will never have to use.
  • randy_in_indy
    randy_in_indy Member Posts: 496 Member

    Not Trying To Scare Anyone -- Just Inform Them
    As I mentioned above, not everyone experiences the problems associated with prostate surgery and most men regain potency and continence following surgery. Apparently you are one of the "lucky" ones. Congratulations!

    However, these problems exist and INFORMED CONSENT requires your doctor to give you this information to assess the risks so that you can decide whether surgery is for you or not. In fact, I got all of the information listed -- which is completely factual -- from doctors, medical sources and patient reports.

    I know that there is a surgical bias on this board, but when a question is posted by someone new who looking for or needs information, I don't think it is fair to tell them -- Oh, I had no problems with MY surgery, so go for it." -- without also telling him that he may not be so lucky. That's what I was doing. So, don't even dare suggest that I'm trying to SCARE people.

    It's the truth about the potential complication of prostate surgery that's SCARY and everyone needs to know the TRUTH about those risks -- not just glowing success stories like yours. One of the truths is also that, if you decide on surgery, you need to find an experienced prostate surgeon to do it.

    On that count, we agree and I've already made an effort to develop a list of such people that I hope I will never have to use.

    Swing Shift
    I really felt your post was very one sided....I cannot tell you how many failures I have personally dug up from radiation, seed implants and the like that many are still saying are the answer...I totally found the opposite when reading through many studies published in medical forums. It is crucially important for anyone considering surgery to intensely study the doctors they are considering to determine their skill level and success at the surgery they are going to perform...I did that and found what I consider to be the best or second best in the geography I was willing to travel...and like you said...it just so happens it did work out for me rather nicely...but I will take credit for that in my diligent search and find of the surgeon I choose. I totally disagree that surgery should be only as a last resort. FACT a male dies every 19 minutes for 365 days of 2009...which is just shy of how many women die each year of breast cancer. Fact - removal of the prostate containing cancer has the best result of cancer free percentages 15 years from now.

    randy in indy
  • Swingshiftworker
    Swingshiftworker Member Posts: 1,017 Member

    Swing Shift
    I really felt your post was very one sided....I cannot tell you how many failures I have personally dug up from radiation, seed implants and the like that many are still saying are the answer...I totally found the opposite when reading through many studies published in medical forums. It is crucially important for anyone considering surgery to intensely study the doctors they are considering to determine their skill level and success at the surgery they are going to perform...I did that and found what I consider to be the best or second best in the geography I was willing to travel...and like you said...it just so happens it did work out for me rather nicely...but I will take credit for that in my diligent search and find of the surgeon I choose. I totally disagree that surgery should be only as a last resort. FACT a male dies every 19 minutes for 365 days of 2009...which is just shy of how many women die each year of breast cancer. Fact - removal of the prostate containing cancer has the best result of cancer free percentages 15 years from now.

    randy in indy

    We'll Just Have To Agree to Disagree
    We'll just have to agree to disagree about when we consider surgery appropriate for prostate cancer. We are obviously at opposite ends on this issue.

    Given all of the available alternatives (notably proton beam, cyberknife (and otherIMRTs), HIFU and brachytherapy) which are also not without risks but none as great IMHO as surgery, there's no reason why IMHO surgery needs to be the first choice.

    The rational often advanced for choosing surgery first is because, if it doesn't work, you can still get radiation and you can't do that if you choose one of the radiation treatments. That's just not true.

    If radiation treatment fails, you can still be retreated with the same or different alternative therapies and, if the treatments have been done w/precision sufficient to avoid collateral tissue damage, surgery is also still an option.

    Of course, whether surgery is "necessary" depends on the stage and aggressiveness of the cancer. Surgery for late stage and aggressive cancer in combo w/radiation and chemo is probably the only choice but in that case, it is still the treatment of last resort.

    So, from that perspective, I opt to view surgery as a last resort and will continue to advance that view point whenever it is appropriate to do so -- as I'm sure you'll do the opposite.

    Regards!