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I have been recently diagnosed at 34. I had bloody semen for over a year and the docotrs sent me for MRI.After MRI did bladder scope and biopsy. Biopsy found Gleason score of 6. Doctor states that at my age the robot is the way to go versus any other option. My fear of course is ED and bladder control issues. Doctor is supposed to be one of the best here in AZ and I will be treated at the Mayo Clinic. There just does not appear to be a ton of info for guys my age. Any input would be great.
Another young one! My advice is to have as much sex as possible before the surgery, if your condition permits. You will likely have ED to some extent and it may last quite a while.
Second point, make sure the surgeon has done hundreds of da Vinci's. My surgeon had done fewer than 50 and he left half of the prostate behind. I had to have radiation to correct the problem. Surgery is a one-shot deal so make sure you get the best doc you can.
Read the experiences of other members to get a feel for what the side effects and recovery are like.
I wish you all the luck in the world. Feel free to ask for help at any time.
Yes, do as Paul says, and also get in the best physical shape that you can. Lots of stomach crunches etc. That help me in my revovery from the daVinci procedure. Also lots of kegels starting now. I had an excellant outcome and was back doing normal routines in 6 weeks. No bladder control issues except after too many drinks. ED issues are coming along, but there were some isues there before the daVinci procedure. Positive thinking all the way!!!
You got a bum deal kid. I agree with the others. Have lots of sex now because it may be your last for a while. Remember that surgery is not a cure but it will at least keep the tumor under control for a while.
Find the best surgeon you can find to do the proceedure. You only get one shot. Best of luck. You deserve some good luck for the shitty deal you got with PCa so early.
Your Gleason score of 6 indicates moderate aggressiveness of your prostate cancer - depending on how much PC was found in your biopsy you should normally have some time before undergoing radical treatment. Time to research properly, change your diet, monitor the aggressiveness of your PC growth and look at alternatives
Some men who were diagnosed later may have had it at your age and never knew it only to have the PC grow very slowly. Because of your bleeding you tested early.
I would agree that you should not rush into it. My view is that Da Vinci robot surgery is not the only possible way to go. I had HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) that is a non invasive treatment. I have no incontinence but due to having had hormone deprivation therapy (ADT --androgen deprivation therapy)necessary because I had an enlarged prostate that had to be shrunk for the treatment, I have not regained erectile function. Both nerve bundles were spared. I just have to wait until the testosterone level starts to come back and I should get erectile function. There are two types of HIFU. One is the Sonablate 500 system and the other is called the Ablatherm HIFU. Both are good but I am a little bias towards the Sonablate HIFU. Check these out as other alternatives to Da Vinci robotic surgery.
Agree at your tender age surgery is your best choice. However do some research on the number of positive surgical margins following robotic RP. The bottom line in my view with robotic versus open, is that a surgeon is unable feel tissue for hardness (cancer spread) whilst operating. Do your homework and make an informed decision.
Good luck with whatever decision you make and my thoughts are with you.
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis at such a young age. I was diagnosed last year at age 46 and ended up choosing robotic surgery. I was concerned by that younger people might have more aggressive cancer but the research doesn't support that. I was very happy with my choice but it took me a 2-3 months of talking to surgeons, radiation specialists, patients, etc before I was comfortable with my decision.
My advice is to research your options and then find the best doctor you can. Also, if you choose surgery at a teaching hospital make sure the doctor you choose will actually do the surgery, an not just oversee a less experienced resident. You should also schedule a biofeedback Kegel training session and start doing Kegels well before the surgery to reduce the incontinence.
Regards, David
http://www.yananow.net/Mentors/DavidW2.htm
Mr David, you are too young to be hit with this, and I'm sorry for you. But your age will also be your greatest advantage. You don't mention any other health issues so if there are none, you will recover in every way better than old boilers of 62 like me!
I agree with Paul A that you must look around at all therapies (in your case my bias is towards Da Vinci), but really examine the credentials of your practitioner or surgeon. Paul's surgeon was relatively inexperienced and left him with half a prostate. My surgeon was one of the most experienced at Da Vinci in the UK (Professor Roger Kirby, who had done about 250 robotics by then and around 1200 by the open method), but due to complications caused by a previous TURP conducted by another surgeon, he left 6 grams of prostate behind. (He did get over 50 grams out though!)
You say you are at the Mayo and from what I have heard, it doesn't get much better than that. But still, point one is to check and re-check your diagnostic biopsies - get second opinions. Point 2 is to research your treatment methods and get second opinions again. Point 3 is make your choice and stick with it - no second thoughts. Trust your decision.
At your age you should make a quick recovery on continence (4 months for an oldie like me, which itself was pretty good). Dare I say it but the chances of your realtively fast sexual recovery are also much better at your age. Believe me there are stories of erections with the catheter in place!! Ouch!!
Spend the time while you are deciding, getting as physically fit as you possible can. If you don't have kids yet discuss with your team about sperm storage, because although I'm confident you will have a good sex life after this is over, you will certainly be having dry orgasms.
Sperm storage is an excellent suggestion. Even at 48 I wonder if I'll regret not doing it. (Probably not)
I had three months to begin doing Kegel exercises before surgery and I'm very, very glad I did. I've been 98% continent from the get-go, and the Kegels are less comfortable afterward besides.
I elected open surgery over robotic because I wanted my surgeon to have total access to my prostate. I don't regret it.
