Newly Diagnosed - Need Help

Bamfam · January 2007

Just got the news from my urologist. Need help with three questions:
1. Is there a different in the cure rate between RP and laparostic removal of the prostate?
2. How do you determine how must of your biopsy sample was cancerous? I see guys here that say less than 5%. In my case -- he took 12 samples. Two had CA - one was 7% the other 15%. Is it 2/12 = 17%? Or, do I determine the exact amount of cancer -- such as 7% of the 1.5CM sample, and then 15% of the 1.2 CM sample and divide it by the total amount of tissue sampled?

3. Does anyone know of a Dr. Steckler from Manhasset Long Island?? He names keep coming up here.

Thanks

Bob

kalar7856 · January 2007

Hi Bamfam,

How well I remember the shock and anxiety when I
first heard the news. I can share my experiences
and hopefully you can speed up your learning curve, and peace of mind!

I know several guys who had much greater bad tissue and they are fine. Up to 70%. The key factor on successful treatment seems to be whether the cancer had spread outside the prostate gland. The gland tends to act as a barrier in the early stages and your low initial reading should give you great hope. Don't worry about the % of cancer. Location is more important.

My understanding is the differences between the two types of surgeries is the recovery time. Both are effective. Believe me, you want a surgeon who only does this type of surgery. That is KEY. When you are under the knife you want a Doctor who knows exactly how much to take away to save you and doesn't take a larger margin just to be safe.

Don't hesitate to travel to a Doc with the good rep. There is a difference.

FYI My bad tissue was 7%. I had total urine control immediately after surgery and sexual function was great after 18 months or so. My Doc gave me sage advice it seems. Nerve regrowth is stimulated by sexual activity. Use it or lose it... All jokes aside take that to heart. After 3 years I have normal sexual function.

I am sure you will be fine. Everything looks good for you. Put aside all the bad things you hear about how it was 10 years ago.

Keep in touch,
Ron C

hopeful2000 · January 2007

kalar7856 said:
Hi Bamfam,

How well I remember the shock and anxiety when I
first heard the news. I can share my experiences
and hopefully you can speed up your learning curve, and peace of mind!

I know several guys who had much greater bad tissue and they are fine. Up to 70%. The key factor on successful treatment seems to be whether the cancer had spread outside the prostate gland. The gland tends to act as a barrier in the early stages and your low initial reading should give you great hope. Don't worry about the % of cancer. Location is more important.

My understanding is the differences between the two types of surgeries is the recovery time. Both are effective. Believe me, you want a surgeon who only does this type of surgery. That is KEY. When you are under the knife you want a Doctor who knows exactly how much to take away to save you and doesn't take a larger margin just to be safe.

Don't hesitate to travel to a Doc with the good rep. There is a difference.

FYI My bad tissue was 7%. I had total urine control immediately after surgery and sexual function was great after 18 months or so. My Doc gave me sage advice it seems. Nerve regrowth is stimulated by sexual activity. Use it or lose it... All jokes aside take that to heart. After 3 years I have normal sexual function.

I am sure you will be fine. Everything looks good for you. Put aside all the bad things you hear about how it was 10 years ago.

Keep in touch,
Ron C

Ron - as someone with a high PSA who will know soon whether or not its cancer, your response is one of the best posts I've seen. In the interim, I'm doing diet and supplements and am contemplating Budwig diet.
If I find out its cancer then my preference is robotic surgery. Its a form of laproscopy, but the cutting and suturing is done robotically and the views are 3D (DaVinci system) - this gives tremendous precision.
Many thanks
Gary

Bamfam · February 2007

kalar7856 said:
Hi Bamfam,

How well I remember the shock and anxiety when I
first heard the news. I can share my experiences
and hopefully you can speed up your learning curve, and peace of mind!

I know several guys who had much greater bad tissue and they are fine. Up to 70%. The key factor on successful treatment seems to be whether the cancer had spread outside the prostate gland. The gland tends to act as a barrier in the early stages and your low initial reading should give you great hope. Don't worry about the % of cancer. Location is more important.

My understanding is the differences between the two types of surgeries is the recovery time. Both are effective. Believe me, you want a surgeon who only does this type of surgery. That is KEY. When you are under the knife you want a Doctor who knows exactly how much to take away to save you and doesn't take a larger margin just to be safe.

Don't hesitate to travel to a Doc with the good rep. There is a difference.

FYI My bad tissue was 7%. I had total urine control immediately after surgery and sexual function was great after 18 months or so. My Doc gave me sage advice it seems. Nerve regrowth is stimulated by sexual activity. Use it or lose it... All jokes aside take that to heart. After 3 years I have normal sexual function.

I am sure you will be fine. Everything looks good for you. Put aside all the bad things you hear about how it was 10 years ago.

Keep in touch,
Ron C

Hi Ron -- thanks for the reply. It is much appreciated.

Had the scans today.

How did they determine you had 7% of CA tissue?? ANd, did you have a RP or robot??

Thanks Again

Bob

kalar7856 · February 2007

hopeful2000 said:
Ron - as someone with a high PSA who will know soon whether or not its cancer, your response is one of the best posts I've seen. In the interim, I'm doing diet and supplements and am contemplating Budwig diet.
If I find out its cancer then my preference is robotic surgery. Its a form of laproscopy, but the cutting and suturing is done robotically and the views are 3D (DaVinci system) - this gives tremendous precision.
Many thanks
Gary

Hi Gary,
I had a a RP 3 years ago because the robotic procedure wasn't available. My doc. now does the robotic. You are correctly focused. Precision is the key. You are so lucky to have all the new advances available.
Good for you! You will be fine.

Keep in touch..
Ron C

kalar7856 · February 2007

Bamfam said:
Hi Ron -- thanks for the reply. It is much appreciated.

Had the scans today.

How did they determine you had 7% of CA tissue?? ANd, did you have a RP or robot??

Thanks Again

Bob

Hi Bob,
I don't know the formula they used to determine the my cancerous percentage. I was focused on whether it had spread beyond the prostate gland.

I had the RP. The robotic procedure wasn't really available then. My surgeon was skilled and did a great job. He now does the robotic operation. Consider that. I see it as all good. The old horror stories should be a thing of the past. Your timing is excellent. No one wants cancer but you have some amazing options to beat it. I am excited for your chances of a long and normal life.

Keep in touch
Ron C

rogermoore · February 2007

Bob,

You have been given some very good advice from fellow survivors. I had an RP some 6 yrs ago and was fortunate to have used an extemely skilled surgeon. I was basically continent within 2 weeks and had regained complete sexual functions within 3 weeks following surgery.

Although everyone is different, and results will vary, with today's technlogy the horror days of the past are fast disappearing.

A most important factor in your recovery is your mental attitude. Always stay positive and be thankful for all gods gifts.

If you want to commnicate directly rather than through postings, don't hesitate to use my e-mail.

Best of luck and keep us posted.

Roger

fcatroneo · February 2007

Bob, I just had my RP on 12/27. I fully understand the stress you are going through hearing that you have this disease in your body. Try not to be too alarmed. You can and will be cured. After my operation my incontinance was never a problem. I had sex with my wife the morning after I had my catheter out. My doctor put me on Cialis and I have not had any sexual problems.
From all I have read, the procedure is important, but the doctor you select is more important. I live in Atlanta and I was fortunate to fine out that Emory University's Urology Department was headed up by a Dr. Fray Marshall. He worked along with Dr. Patrick Walsh for 25 years at John's Hopkin (has to be the #1 hospital for prostate cancer surgery). Dr. Marshall is probably in the top 3 surgeons for prostate cancer. He has performed over 3,000 procedures and still does 4 every week. My advise to you (as mentioned by other survivers) is to get the right doctor even if you have to travel to another state. It makes the difference.

Bamfam · February 2007

rogermoore said:
Bob,

You have been given some very good advice from fellow survivors. I had an RP some 6 yrs ago and was fortunate to have used an extemely skilled surgeon. I was basically continent within 2 weeks and had regained complete sexual functions within 3 weeks following surgery.

Although everyone is different, and results will vary, with today's technlogy the horror days of the past are fast disappearing.

A most important factor in your recovery is your mental attitude. Always stay positive and be thankful for all gods gifts.

If you want to commnicate directly rather than through postings, don't hesitate to use my e-mail.

Best of luck and keep us posted.

Roger

Ron, Roger and others --

Thanks. Good news on the bone scan --- no evidence of CA beyond the prostate. I have an appointment with a Dr. James Eastman at Sloan Kettering next Monday. He wants the actual biopsy slides and scan films.

My local urologist said they found two incidental findings on the abdominal scan. A small 3mm noduel on my lung and a "very very small" cycst on my liver. It scars the crap out of me. He said it wasnt related to the prostate -- and he was 99.9% sure they were anomolies - but they may want to do another scan. Family friend (oncologist) agrees with him. Heard many antidotial stories about these findings being nothing much but still a pain to address. But still scary. Need a little good news.

Thanks

Bob

shipjim · February 2007

fcatroneo said:
Bob, I just had my RP on 12/27. I fully understand the stress you are going through hearing that you have this disease in your body. Try not to be too alarmed. You can and will be cured. After my operation my incontinance was never a problem. I had sex with my wife the morning after I had my catheter out. My doctor put me on Cialis and I have not had any sexual problems.
From all I have read, the procedure is important, but the doctor you select is more important. I live in Atlanta and I was fortunate to fine out that Emory University's Urology Department was headed up by a Dr. Fray Marshall. He worked along with Dr. Patrick Walsh for 25 years at John's Hopkin (has to be the #1 hospital for prostate cancer surgery). Dr. Marshall is probably in the top 3 surgeons for prostate cancer. He has performed over 3,000 procedures and still does 4 every week. My advise to you (as mentioned by other survivers) is to get the right doctor even if you have to travel to another state. It makes the difference.

There is a HUGE difference between lapro and RP, a giant hole in your gut and 5 little bittyones!!

I had the Da Vinci Robotic process Feb 2006, was up and about in about 6 hrs, drove home the next day.
Catheter lasted 10 days and I'm pretty well continent, I wear panty liners for accidents when I lift or Golf.

I haven't had sex yet but am not concerned the urges are coming and my nerves were spared.

I do everything else I ever did. PSA last test was 0! Yahoo.

Good luck, find a Robot MD, they're everywhere and most all insurance pays for them. jj

Bamfam · February 2007

Thanks guys for you advice.

Went to see a surgeon here on Long Island -- he is a uro/oncologist. Did over 1500 RPs -- does 65 a year. Very confident; positive as well.

Going to Memorial Sloan on Monday for a "third Opinion." Seeing Dr. James Eastman. Another big RP guy -- does 150 or so RPs a year.

Will make decision next week.

Thanks again.

TomS1039 · February 2007

Skill of the surgeon is number one. You want someone that has done thousands of these. I went to Johns Hopkins 11/2005. My biopsy showed 1 core had low density, 7 cores had high grade PIN, my PSA was 5.4. My clinical staging 1c. After surgery, my pathogical staging is 3a with a Gleason Score of 7+, because the cancer was extensive throughout my prostate and beyond on the right side. Lymph nodes, seminal vescules, etc. were all clear. Seek out the best for this serious and very delicate surgery even if you must travel. I did and glad I made the choice.

Newly Diagnosed - Need Help

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