Newly Diagnosed and Treatment in Denver

Bill_4
Bill_4 Member Posts: 29
edited March 2014 in Prostate Cancer #1
I just found this great site today. I am 60 and was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. My PSA is 4.56, Gleason score 3+3=6, and clinical stage T1c. 7 out of 12 cores showed positive at between 5-30%. Like so many of you have, I am searching for a treatment option. I live in Denver and receive health care through Kaiser Permanente. I have had consultations with a surgeon (da Vinci method) and a radiation oncologist. Has anyone had da Vinci surgery through Kaiser in Denver? The surgeon I spoke with did a fellowship with the da Vinci robot (participating on some 200+ surgeries) followed by 150+ local surgeries. What indicates a good level of experience? The potential for a long healing process for post surgery incontinence and ED and dealing with the catheter has me somewhat anxious. Otherwise, I am pretty optimistic.
Bill

Comments

  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010
    #2
    Bill,
    Sorry to hear of your
    Bill,
    Sorry to hear of your diagnose. I'm 54 waiting for my DaVinci Surgery on Aug. 12.
    Had 5 of 12 cores come back positive all as Gleason 7. Mixed 4+3 and 3+4 Stage T2B. My local Urologist stated if you go with the robot you want someone who has performed Several hundred DaVinci's since it has a high learning curve. Find the best Doctor that you can if you go with the Robot. I'm also concearned about the two big I's (Impotence and incontinence) But I've spoken to several men that are having excellent results.

    Larry
  • MCSmith44
    MCSmith44 Member Posts: 12
    #3
    Brachytherapy Treatment Option
    I was diagnosed at age 64 - clinical stage T1c, normal DRE, 4.92 PSA, Gleason score 6 in 2 of 10 biopsy sites. I did the normal internet research and subsequently spoke with men who had received seed implants from 8 to 13 years ago. None had experienced reoccurence. After consulting with prostate cancer specialists at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, I chose seed implants less because of my age and more to avoid side effects as much as possible.

    I underwent brachytherapy treatment at M.D. Anderson in May 2008. I have experienced no incontinence, but continue to have some urgency and burning that is expected to dissipate over time. My sexual function has declined somewhat, but Cialis has proven to be effective medication. In conjunction with the ACS, I'm starting a prostate cancer support group in York County SC. If you like, I would be happy to speak with you in more detail. My office telephone number is (803)802-8001.
  • RRMCJIM
    RRMCJIM Member Posts: 149
    #4
    Welcome Bill
    This is a great place to find info, many others with this same issue here.. I am with Kaiser here in So Cal, had my di vinci surgery May 22nd in West Los Angeles Kaiser. My Dr had about the same numbers as your Dr, I knew the day I met him he was the surgeon for me. Did not rush us thru our appt, answered all my questions, spent almost 2 hours with my wife and I. Treated me through out this ordeal as if I was all that mattered. He spent extra time in surgery with me, I never felt as if I was just another one of thousands... I am doing great, I think. ED has been a non issue for me , erections have been normal , well as normal as can be. Incontinence is getting better, down to just pads now, only 2 per day. Depends are a thing of the past, I pray it stays that way, using only Tena male pads now... I hear that Poise bladder pads work good also, and might be cheaper... good luck to you Bill, do your research, and you will find what is best for you...
    Jim
  • Bill_4
    Bill_4 Member Posts: 29
    #5
    THANKS
    Larry, Jim and McSmith44. Thank you for the welcome, your support and for sharing your journey. I look forward to making a final decision about treatment. Post surgery healing seems like it can take a long time. Being a person who enjoys daily physical activity (weights, exercise classes, hiking) and travel, it feels difficult to suspend these for some unknown amount of recovery time. Although bladder control may be achieved, it seems that pad use may go on a lot longer given the strain of physical activity. One step at a time I guess. I look forward to sharing my final decision and progress. My best to all of you in your healing and recovery.
    Bill
  • steckley
    steckley Member Posts: 100
    #6
    Kaiser Denver
    I am 62 years old and had da vinci surgery with Dr. Justin Green (Kaiser Denver) on April 20. My PSA, etc. was similar to yours. I was a bit apprehensive because Dr. Green had completed his fellowship but had not had a lot of experience .... maybe in my case that was good.

    Results so far: PSA is now below detection levels; I was immediately continent (no leakage, no diapers, no pads; catheter removed after seven days); I do have some ED .... but after 4 months this seems to be coming around (started penile rehab after one week by taking low dose Levitra 4 times a week and high dose once a week; I use a VED once a day; once a week I use a TRIMIX injection ... Dr. Green provided all of the perscriptions; however, Kaiser did not cover the costs).

    I was very satisfied with the surgery; the stay in St. Joe's; and all follow-up care to date.
  • JJPhare
    JJPhare Member Posts: 34
    #7
    Your results?
    Bill,

    I just found this site and saw your posts from 2009. I find myself in the exact same situation as you except my psa is 14. I will be having a consult with Dr. Green in a few weeks. By now he should have more experience with the DaVinci.
    Did you go through the robotic surgery and how did things turn out? If you opted for another procedure, what did you choose and what are the results?

    JJ
  • Swingshiftworker
    Swingshiftworker Member Posts: 1,017 Member
    #8
    Investigate Other Treatment Options!
    Surgery and LDR (lose dose rate) Brachytherapy (BT) seeds are NOT the only options for treatment of early PCa -- which is what you have. There are other and you have a lot of time to consider them.

    I was with Kaiser in NorCal. Surgery and LDR BT were the only options presented to me when I was diagnosed w/PCa in Jan 2010 and I didn't like them. Surgery presents the greatest risks of impotence and urinary dysfunction -- at least a year and in some cases permanently. The placement of LDR BT seeds is imprecise and errors in placement and radiation dosage can lead to tissue damage that can cause impotence, urinary dysfunction and rectal damage -- not to mention the fact that the seeds remain in your body forever and radiation is present in your body for at least of year. HDR (high dose rate) BT is an alternative to LDR BT, but was not made available to me at Kaiser.

    After only a few days of investigation, I discovered proton beam therapy (PBT) and CyberKnife (CK) a form of (SBRT - stereotactic body radiation therapy) along w/EBRT (external beam radiation theray)and IMRT (intensity modulated radiation therapy).

    After further investigation, I decided to go with CK which requires only 4-5 treatments over a week, provides the most precise method of radiation delivery currently available, has the least reported side effects of any form of treatment for early stage PCa and the same cure rate of other therapies.

    In order to get CK, I had to quit Kaiser (after being a member for life) and go w/Blue Shield (which costs more) at the UCSF Med Center, but I don't regret the switch. Had my treatment in Sept 2010 and am on the way to recovery without any ED and only some urinary frequency, which I had before I had the treatments and is now becoming less of a problem. Others here have had similar positive results w/CK.

    So, I encourage you to investigate the other options available. Good luck!!!!

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