Prostate Cancer Survivors

 

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Re: Diagnosed at 34

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.

Re: Diagnosed at 34

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

Re: Diagnosed at 34

Aloha David,
Do you have any feel for how aggressive this is? How long have you been doing PSA? Any rise in PSA?
Joe

Re: Diagnosed at 34

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.

Good luck.

Ted from England

Re: Diagnosed at 34

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.

Good luck, and get the best doctor.

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